Regulus missile mail

A blast from the past!

The Regulus missile was a nuclear-capable, submarine-launched cruise missile developed by the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. It was designed to be launched from a submarine and travel long distances to deliver a nuclear warhead.

Here are some key facts about the Regulus missile:

  1. Development: The Regulus missile was developed by the United States Navy and the United States Air Force in the late 1950s. It was designed to be a submarine-launched cruise missile, capable of traveling long distances to deliver a nuclear warhead.
  2. Design: The Regulus missile was a large, winged missile with a diameter of about 3 feet (90 cm) and a length of about 20 feet (6 meters). It had a range of over 500 miles (800 km) and was powered by a rocket engine.
  3. Launch: The Regulus missile was launched from a submarine using a vertical launch tube. The missile would then climb to an altitude of about 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) before leveling off and flying to its target.
  4. Warhead: The Regulus missile was designed to carry a nuclear warhead, with a yield of up to 1 megaton. The warhead was designed to be delivered to a target using a combination of inertial guidance and terrain-following radar.
  5. Deployment: The Regulus missile was deployed on several United States Navy submarines, including the USS Barbero (SS-317), USS Tullibee (SSN-597), and USS Triton (SSRN-586).
  6. Retirement: The Regulus missile was retired from service in the late 1960s, as it was replaced by newer, more advanced cruise missiles, such as the Poseidon and Trident missiles.

The Regulus missile played an important role in the development of the United States' nuclear deterrent during the Cold War era. While it is no longer in service, it remains an important part of the history of nuclear weapons and submarine-launched cruise missiles.