UGM-27 Polaris A-3 SLBM Nuclear Missile

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UGM-27 Polaris A-3 SLBM Nuclear Missile
UGM-27 Polaris A-3 SLBM Nuclear Missile

Air Force Space and Missile Museum

POLARIS A-3
Prime Contractor: Lockheed Missiles and Space Company
Type: Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM)

The third and final generation of Polaris missiles, the Polaris A-3, was under development in 1960. Designated UGM-27C, the missile was considerably more advanced and had a much longer life than its two ancestors. The A-3 featured a full-diameter re-entry vehicle, which gave the missile a more streamlined appearance than the heavily tapered, small-nosed Polaris A-1 and A-2.

In addition to outfitting U.S. Lafayette Class submarines, Polaris A-3 missiles were also deployed aboard British submarines HMS Resolution, Renown, Repulse and Revenge. A total of 1,408 Polaris missiles were manufactured including the Polaris A-1 and A-2. Although production of the A-3 ceased in mid-1968, the missile continued to be upgraded as necessary.

During a launch, the missile was ejected vertically through a hatch on the deck of the sub, and it rode a bubble of air to the surface where its solid-fuel motor ignited and propelled it toward the target.

The U.S. Navy Polaris A-3 missiles were withdrawn from service in early 1982. The British A-3 missiles, many of which underwent periodic remanufacture, remained in service until the mid-1980s.

The Polaris Missile Facility of the Pacific (POMFPAC), in Washington provided the museum display in May, 1968. This exhibit is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Museum System.

Specifications
Length: 32 Ft
Diameter: 4 Ft, 6 In
Weight: 35,000 Pounds
Wing or Fin Span: None
Power Plant: Solid-Propellant
Speed: Hypersonic
Range: 2,880 Miles
Guidance: Inertial
Armament: Nuclear

Attribution Noncommercial Some rights reserved
Taken on: November 3, 2012
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Sets appears in:   • Air Force Space and Missile Museum    • UGM-27 Polaris Submarine Nuclear Missile   
Camera: Canon PowerShot G12, f/4.5, 1/1250 sec, 6.1mm, ISO 80 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Canon PowerShot G12
Aperture: f/4.5
Exposure Time: 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Focal Length: 6.1mm
ISO: 80
Exposure Bias: -1/3 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Auto
Color Space: sRGB
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