Matador Specifications
The Matador was a surface-to-surface tactical missile designed to carry a conventional or
nuclear warhead. Originally designated as the B-61, the USAF's first "pilotless bomber," it
was similar in concept to the German V-1
(Buzz Bomb) of World War II. The Matador was launched by a booster rocket from a mobile
40-foot trailer and was controlled electronically from the ground during flight.
Immediately after launch, the booster rocket fell away and the missile continued on course
to its target, powered by its jet engine.
Development of the Matador began in August 1945, and the XB-61 was first launched on
Jan. 19, 1949. Operational TM-61s, which later followed, were the first tactical guided
missiles in the USAF inventory. The first Pilotless Bomber Squadron (Light) was organized
in October 1951 for test and training purposes, and in March 1954 the first Matador unit
was deployed overseas to bolster NATO forces in West Germany. TM-61 units also were sent to
Korea and Taiwan. Martin delivered the 1,000th Matador in mid-1957, but in 1959 a phase-out
of the Matador began in favor of a more advanced version, the >Martin Mace.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Span: 27 ft. 11 in.
Length: 39 ft. 8 in.
Height: 9 ft. 8 in.
Weight: 13,593 lbs. at launch
Armament: Conventional or nuclear warhead
Engine: Allison J33 of 4,600 lbs. thrust; Aerojet solid-propellant booster
rocket of 57,000 lbs. thrust
Cost: $132,000
PERFORMANCE:
Maximum speed: 600 mph/521 knots in level flight; supersonic during final dive
Range: 690 statute miles/600 nautical miles
Service ceiling: 44,000 ft.