The Henschel Hs 117 Schmetterling (German for Butterfly) was a radio-guided German surface-to-air missile project developed during World War II. There was also an air-to-air version, the Hs 117H.[2]

The operators used a telescopic sight and a joystick to guide the missile by radio control, which was detonated by acoustic and photoelectric proximity fuses, at 10–20 m (33–66 ft).[3]

Development

In 1941, Professor Herbert A. Wagner (who was previously responsible for the Henschel Hs 293 anti-ship missile) invented the Schmetterling missile and submitted it to the Reich Air Ministry (RLM), who rejected the design because there was no need for more anti-aircraft weaponry.

However, by 1943 the large-scale bombing of Germany caused the RLM to change its mind, and Henschel was given a contract to develop and manufacture it. The team was led by Professor Wagner, and it produced a weapon somewhat resembling a bottlenose dolphin with swept wings and cruciform tail.[1]

In May 1944, 59 Hs 117 missiles were tested, some from beneath a Heinkel He 111; over half the trials failed.[2] Mass production was ordered in December 1944, with deployment to start in March 1945. Operational missiles were to be launched from a 37mm gun carriage.[1]

In January 1945, a prototype for mass production was completed, and production of 3,000 missiles a month was anticipated,[1] but on 6 February, SS-Obergruppenführer Hans Kammler cancelled the project.

Variants

The Hs 117H was an air-launched variant, designed to be launched from a Dornier Do 217, Junkers Ju 188, or Junkers Ju 388.[4] This version was designed to attack enemy aircraft up to 5 km (16,000 ft) above the launching aircraft.[5]

See also

Related lists

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Christopher (2013), p. 126.
  2. ^ a b Christopher (2013), p. 127.
  3. ^ Christopher (2013), pp. 126–127.
  4. ^ Christopher (2013), pp. 127–128.
  5. ^ Ford (2013), p. 224.
  • Christopher, John (2013). The Race for Hitler's X-Planes. The Mill, Gloucestershire: History Press.
  • Ford, Roger (2013). Germany's Secret Weapons of World War II. London, UK: Amber Books. ISBN 9781909160569.

Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henschel_Hs_117H
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