- GTR-18 Smokey Sam
-
GTR-18 
GTR-18 "Smokey Sams" on launch railsType SAM simulator rocket Place of origin 
United StatesService history In service 1980s-present Used by United States military Production history Designer Naval Weapons Center Designed early 1980s Specifications Length 15 inches (380 mm) Diameter 2 inches (51 mm) Wingspan 6 inches (150 mm) Propellant solid fuel Flight ceiling 1,800 feet (550 m) Guidance
systemNone The GTR-18A, commonly known as the Smokey Sam, is a small unguided rocket developed by the Naval Weapons Center as a threat simulator for use during military exercises. Widely used in training, the Smokey Sam remains in operational service with the United States military.
Design and development
The development of the GTR-18 was undertaken by the Naval Weapons Center (NWC) during the early 1980s, with the intent of developing a simple and inexpensive rocket for visually simulating the launch of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) during training exercises.[1]
Constructed from phenolic paper and styrofoam, the Smokey Sam is designed for minimal cost and, in the event of accidentally striking low-flying aircraft, to cause minimal damage.[1]
Operational history
A GTR-18 is launched at the Crow Valley Range Complex.
The complete launch system, known as the Smokey Sam Simulator, includes single- and four-rail launching pads, an AN/VPQ-1 radar set, and the GTR-18A rockets themselves, making up the SMU-124/E system as a whole.[1]
When launched, the GTR-18's rocket motor produces a distinctive white plume, providing a realistic simulation of the launch of a surface-to-air missile.[2] While the ordinary GTR-18A has a simple, model rocket type motor, an improved 'Dual Thrust Smokey Sam' tested in the early 2000s featured a modified rocket motor, providing a 1.5 second boost period, followed by a lower-thrust sustainer burn with burnout occurring at 7.1 seconds after launch.[3]
Receiving the altered designation DGTR-18A in the early 1990s, the Smokey Sam remains in production and operational service, being extensively used by the U.S. military.[1]
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Kitfield, James (1995). Prodigal Soldiers: How the Generation of Officers Born of Vietnam Revolutionzed the American Style of War. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-671-76925-1.
- Parsch, Andreas (2002). "NWC GTR-18 Smokey Sam". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. designation-systems.net. http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/r-18.html. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
- Taylor, Bill (9 March 2006). "Dual Thrust Modified Smokey Sam for Low Cost Testing and Simulation". NDIA 22nd National Test & Evaluation Conference. Sensor Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory. http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006test/taylor.pdf. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
United States tri-service rocket designations post-1962- See also: LOCAT
- United States tri-service missile and drone designations post-1962
Types of missile By platform - Air-to-air missile (AAM)
- Air-to-surface missile (ASM)
- Surface-to-air missile (SAM)
- Surface-to-surface missile (SSM)
- Ballistic missile
- Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
- Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)
- Anti-ballistic missile (ABM)
- Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM)
- Cruise missile
- Anti-ship missile (AShM)
- Anti-submarine missile
- Anti-tank missile (ATGM)
- Anti-satellite weapon (ASAT)
- Air-launched ballistic missile
- Anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM)
By guidance Lists - List of missiles
- List of missiles by country
- List of military rockets
Categories:- Surface-to-air missiles of the United States
- Rocket weapons of the United States
- Model rockets
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
