Object Details
Manufacturer
Avco Corportation
Summary
This is an unflown Mark 4 reentry vehicle (RV) used on U.S. Air Force Titan I and Atlas E/F intercontinental ballistic missiles that were deployed in the early 1960s. It carried a W-38 nuclear warhead with a yield of about 3.75 megatons. Made by AVCO Corporation, the Mark 4 RV has an aluminum inner frame covered by an unknown ablative material that protected it during reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. Because R&D versions of reentry vehicles were commonly painted white, this Mark 4 RV was in all likelihood a test version that was never flown. The donor is unknown.
Credit Line
Transferred from the United States Air Force
Inventory Number
A19660029000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
CRAFT-Missile & Rocket Parts
Materials
Metal, unknown ablative material, and phenolic resin
Dimensions
Overall: 10 ft. 8 in. × 4 ft., 1571.7kg (325.1 × 121.9cm, 3465lb.)
Other (object without stand): 1111.3kg (2450lb.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Exhibition
Nation of Speed
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19660029000