This film was made to promote the Northrop SM-62 Snark, an early-model intercontinental range ground-launched cruise missile that could carry a W39 thermonuclear warhead. The Snark was deployed by the United States Air Force’s Strategic Air Command from 1958 through 1961. It represented an important step in weapons technology during the Cold War. The Snark took its name from the author Lewis Carroll’s character the “snark”.
The Snark missile was developed to present a nuclear deterrent to the Soviet Union and other potential enemies at a time when Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) were still in development. The Snark was the only surface-to-surface cruise missile with such a long range that was ever deployed by the U.S. Air Force. Following the deployment of ICBMs, the Snark was rendered obsolete, and it was removed from deployment in 1961.
The film begins at mark 0:30 as a missile is launched. At mark 0:54 it is revealed to be the Snark, the U.S. Air Force’s first intercontinental ballistic missile. The bird’s guidance system is automatic and cannot be jammed. At mark 01:25, the air forces are seen here in a meeting. At mark 1:45, designs of the aerodynamic aircraft is been worked upon. This design is required to meet the high range specifications. At mark 2:00, is the room where all ongoing activities are strictly classified. At mark 2:14, a simple semi-automatic system is seen and tested in a mark e-61 aircraft. At mark 2:22, a radar station is seen. This is where operations of the aircraft is monitored. At mark 2:30, b-29 is also seen and is guided automatically. At mark 2:45, a b-45 bomber is seen which shows increasing accuracy and valuable experience was gained. The research is ongoing. At mark 2:57, is a facility where all bomber simulations are carried out. Several equipment are constructed for the various tests as seen at mark 3:07. At mark 3:25 is the sm-62 intercontinental missile. At mark 3:35 is Mexico at 1962; the first test missiles are launched. At mark 3:57, the missiles were launched and flight tests are made. At mark 4:33 is an unmanned aircraft. Here missiles were recovered and re-launched. At mark 4:47, booster rocket development now made the launching of missiles from a stationary structure and in 1952, at mark 4:57, is Florida. Here, ground stations now follow he course of the missiles by radar. At mark 5:20, a missile test is seen. The flight testing of the sm-62 Snark could now begin as seen at mark 5:37. Sensing instruments are installed on the missile and other equipment as seen at mark 6:00, including communication systems. At mark 6:38, all personnel are to clear the missile area.
At mark 7:04 is a written guide. The countdown for launching is pronounced at mark 7:20, at it is launched at mark 7:29. Tests are been worked upon on the missile advancement and modern equipment are added to the design at mark 8:32, the missile is safely guided to flight and also landing.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
