Pye Wacket was the codename for an experimental lenticular-form air-to-air missile developed by the Convair Division of the General Dynamics Corporati

Pye Wacket - Wikipedia

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2021-07-12 18:00:07

Pye Wacket was the codename for an experimental lenticular-form air-to-air missile developed by the Convair Division of the General Dynamics Corporation[1] in 1957. Intended as a defensive missile for the B-70 Valkyrie Mach 3 bomber, the program saw extensive wind-tunnel testing and seemed promising; however the cancellation of the B-70 removed the requirement for the missile, and the project was cancelled.

Project "Pye Wacket", officially known as the Lenticular Defense Missile (LDM) Program and by the project number WS-740A,[2] was instituted in 1958 in response to a US Air Force request for a Defensive Anti-Missile System (DAMS) to protect the proposed B-70 Valkyrie strategic bomber from high-speed, high-altitude surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and interceptor aircraft.[3]

The extreme speed and operating altitude of the Valkyrie was considered sufficient protection against Soviet interceptors of the time.[4] However it was anticipated that future aircraft and missile developments would reduce the B-70's margin of superiority,[3] especially following the SA-2 Guideline SAM being displayed during the 1957 May Day parade.[5] Intelligence reports indicated that SAMs were being deployed in large numbers throughout Russia,[6] and it was believed the SA-2 was capable of being fitted with a nuclear warhead.[7] Therefore, it was decided that the B-70 would need an interceptor missile to defend itself against the perceived threat.[3]

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