RIM-2 Terrier

The Terrier was a development of the Bumblebee Project, the United States Navy's effort to develop a surface-to-air missile to provide a middle layer of defense against air attack (between carrier fighters and antiaircraft guns). It was test launched from USS Mississippi on January 28, 1953, and first deployed operationally on the Boston-class cruisers, Boston and Canberra in the mid-1950s, with Canberra being the first to achieve operational status June 15, 1956. Its US Navy designation was SAM-N-7 until 1963 when it was re-designated RIM-2.

For a brief time during the mid-1950s the United States Marine Corps (USMC) had two Terrier battalions equipped with specially modified twin sea launchers for land use that fired the SAM-N-7. The Terrier was the first surface-to-air missile operational with the USMC. The launchers were reloaded by a special vehicle that carried two Terrier reloads.[1]

Initially, the Terrier used radar beam-riding guidance, forward aerodynamic controls, and a conventional warhead. It had a top speed of only Mach 1.8, a range of only 10 nmi (19 km), and was only useful against subsonic targets. Originally, the Terrier had a launch thrust of 23 kN (5,200 lb_f), and weight of 1,392 kg (3,069 lb). Its original dimensions were a diameter of 340 mm (13 in), a length of 8.08 m (26.5 ft), and a fin span of 1.59 m (5.2 ft). Cost per missile in 1957 was an estimated $60,000.[2]

Before it was even in widespread service it was seeing major improvements. The RIM-2C, named the Terrier BT-3 (Beam-riding, Tail control, series 3) was introduced in 1958. The forward control fins were replaced with fixed strakes, and the tail became the control surface. The BT-3 also had a new motor, and featured extended range, Mach 3 speed, and better maneuverability. The RIM-2D Terrier BT-3A(N) entered service in 1962 with a W30 1kt nuclear warhead,[3] but all other variants used a 218 lb (99 kg) controlled-fragmentation warhead. The Terrier had 2 versions BT-3(N), and HT-3. only the BT-3A carried the Nuclear Warhead, BT-3A(N). When fired, and after booster separation, you could follow its cork screw contrail, as it progressed to the center of the beam. Reception of its location in the beam was accomplished by a small "Turn-style" antenna at the rear of the missile, this antenna also received the commands for detonation, and self destruct. The self destruct command was sent a few milliseconds after the detonation command. The HT-3 was a Semi-Active homing missile, it followed the reflected energy from the target; however if jamming was encountered it would passively home in on the jamming signal. The Belknap Class of DLG, re-designated CG also carried the ASROC (Anti Submarine Rocket), which was launched from the same launcher as the Terrier. The Belknap Class had 3 circular magazines in a triangle pattern, The bottom magazine contained the nuclear BT-3A(N) missiles and the Nuclear Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC). This was an additional safety feature in that it involved transferring the Nuclear Missile from the bottom ring to the upper ring then to the launcher rails, which entailed many moving steps and time, preventing the accidental loading of a Nuclear Missile from one of the top two magazines.[4]

The RIM-2E introduced semi-active radar homing, for greater effectiveness against low-flying targets. The final version, the RIM-2F, used a new motor which doubled effective range to 40 nmi (74 km).

The Terrier was the primary missile system of most US Navy cruisers and guided missile frigates built during the 1960s. It could be installed on much smaller ships than the much larger and longer-ranged RIM-8 Talos. A Terrier installation typically consisted of the Mk 10 twin-arm launcher with a 40-round rear-loading magazine, but some ships had extended magazines with 60 or 80 rounds, and the installation in Boston and Canberra used a bottom-loading magazine of 72 rounds.

The French Navy's Masurca missile was developed with some technology provided by the USN from Terrier.

The Terrier was replaced by the extended range RIM-67 Standard missile. The RIM-67 offered the range of the much larger RIM-8 Talos in a missile the size of the Terrier.

 Italian Navy

• Giuseppe Garibaldi (1936) - after 1957 refit
• Andrea Doria-class cruiser
  • Italian cruiser Andrea Doria (C 553)
  • Italian cruiser Caio Duilio (C 554)
• Vittorio Veneto (550)

 Royal Netherlands Navy

• De Zeven Provinciën (C802)

 United States Navy

• Gyatt (DDG-712)
• Boston-class cruiser

and more

• 
  Early-model Terrier
• 
  Early Model Terrier launched from test vessel USS Mississippi
• 
  A P4Y-2K drone being shot down by a Terrier, 1956.
• 
  USS Canberra launching a Terrier, 1960.
• 
  RIM-2 aboard USS Providence, 1962.
• 
  RIM-2 launch from USS Constellation, 1962.
• 
  Terrier launch from USS Dale, 1964.

• USS Norton Sound (AVM-1)
• RIM-24 Tartar
• Terasca
• Masurca - A Related Project

• General Dynamics (Convair) SAM-N-7/RIM-2 Terrier

Wikimedia Commons has media related to RIM-2 Terrier.

• "US Marines Terrier" YouTube video