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) with 1 Mt warhead
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. Around 40 missiles were produced before 1976. Italy is active in the space sector since 1957 with the Luigi Broglio Space Centre. The advanced Scout launcher and the Vega launcher today used by ESA derive their technological basis partially from Alfa studies. An Alfa rocket it's today exposed at the Cameri Museum in Novara department.

External links

• http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/alfa.htm