Alfa (rocket)
| Alfa | |
|---|---|
 Test launch of an Alfa | |
| Type | Intermediate range ballistic missile |
| Place of origin |  Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1973-1976 |
| Used by | Italian Navy |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Aeritalia,Selenia,Snia BPD |
| No. built | 40 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8,000 kilograms (18,000 lb) |
| Length | 3.85 metres (12.6 ft) |
| length | first stage |
| Height | 6.5 metres (21 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.37 metres (54 in) |
| Warhead | Nuclear warhead |
| Engine | first stage, solid fuel rocket 250 kN (56,000 lbf) thrust second stage, solid fuel rocket thrust unknown |
Operational range | 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) |
| Flight altitude | apogee 300 km (190 mi) |
| Boost time | first stage, 57 seconds second stage, unknown |
Guidance system | Inertial |
Launch platform | surface vessels |
Alfa was the designation of an Italian solid propellant IRBM program that started in 1971 under the control of the GRS (Gruppo di Realizzazione Speciale Interforze). Starting as a development effort for a study on efficient solid-propellant rockets, the Alfa rocket was planned as two-stage rocket. Test launches with upper stage mockup from Salto di Quirra took place between 1973 and 1975.
The Alfa was 6.5 meters long and had a diameter of 1.37 meters. The first stage of the Alfa was 3.85 m long and contained 6 t of solid rocket fuel. It supplied a thrust of 232 kN for a duration of 57 seconds.
It was able carrying a warhead of 1 Mt to cover with its range of 1600 km all eastern countries and all western USSR launched from frigates or destroyers in the Adriatic Sea.[citation needed].It's estimated by italian military sources[who?] that around 40 missiles were produced before 1976. Italy was active in the space sector since 1957.[citation needed][dubious – discuss] An Alfa rocket it's today exposed at the Cameri Museum in Novara department.
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