[USAF AND U.S. NAVY MISSILE FOOTAGE]

Year Published: 1970s

Creator: United States Air Force

Description: This silent USAF missile test footage shows various missiles and heavy guns being tested and fired including the UGM-27 Polaris missile. Polaris was a two stage, solid fueled, nuclear armed submarine launched ballistic missile. It was the US Navy’s first SLBM used from 1961 to 1980. These were fired underwater making them invulnerable to counterattack. The film opens with images of a warship firing off an unidentified missile, possibly a Tomahawk cruise missile (:30). The camera traces the cloud trail from the missile (:50). A target bobs in the water (:55). Heavy naval guns blast at targets (1:07). The international orange gunnery target is pictured decimated in the water (1:46). A cruise missile is fired from an aircraft carrier (1:57). An explosion erupts in the water (2:02). A blue missile, probably a Harpoon test article, is fired (2:09). A good shot of the missile being aimed and fired follows (2:10). A series of guided missiles are fired (2:37). Close shots of the same missiles follow (3:24). Water bubbles burst around the Polaris A-3 as it is fired (4:17). Fish swim (4:25) barely affected by the firing. The missile shoots above the water’s surface (4:35). It bends towards it's target (5:04). The McDonnell Douglas F4B bends away from the camera (5:27). A distant shot captures the entirety of the craft (5:35). The radar screen follows searching for targets (5:43). A Navy pilot is pictured under helmet (5:55) with oxygen mask strapped to his face. Ground support checks radar (6:01). An overhead view shows another pilot operating controls (6:32). The F4B fires two missiles, probably Sidewinders (6:36). Explosions are viewed in the sky (6:49). Aerial footage captures the sea below (7:02).  A target is hit (7:10). Footage follows of a plane heading for an aircraft carrier (7:22). It taps down on the runway (7:31). An AN/TPS appears (7:44).  A close shot follows the screen spinning (7:52). Rocket launchers (8:13) are aimed. A back view is captured (8:24) of the rocket launcher. The Raytheon MIM-23 Hawk was introduced into service in the 1960’s (8:46). Another shot of the AN/TPS-75 follows (9:05). A ground observer watches through binoculars (9:23). Rockets are launched from the ground (9:29)

Complete Record: This silent USAF missile test footage shows various missiles and heavy guns being tested and fired including the UGM-27 Polaris missile. Polaris was a two stage, solid fueled, nuclear armed submarine launched ballistic missile. It was the US Navy’s first SLBM used from 1961 to 1980. These were fired underwater making them invulnerable to counterattack. The film opens with images of a warship firing off an unidentified missile, possibly a Tomahawk cruise missile (:30). The camera traces the cloud trail from the missile (:50). A target bobs in the water (:55). Heavy naval guns blast at targets (1:07). The international orange gunnery target is pictured decimated in the water (1:46). A cruise missile is fired from an aircraft carrier (1:57). An explosion erupts in the water (2:02). A blue missile, probably a Harpoon test article, is fired (2:09). A good shot of the missile being aimed and fired follows (2:10). A series of guided missiles are fired (2:37). Close shots of the same missiles follow (3:24). Water bubbles burst around the Polaris A-3 as it is fired (4:17). Fish swim (4:25) barely affected by the firing. The missile shoots above the water’s surface (4:35). It bends towards it's target (5:04). The McDonnell Douglas F4B bends away from the camera (5:27). A distant shot captures the entirety of the craft (5:35). The radar screen follows searching for targets (5:43). A Navy pilot is pictured under helmet (5:55) with oxygen mask strapped to his face. Ground support checks radar (6:01). An overhead view shows another pilot operating controls (6:32). The F4B fires two missiles, probably Sidewinders (6:36). Explosions are viewed in the sky (6:49). Aerial footage captures the sea below (7:02).  A target is hit (7:10). Footage follows of a plane heading for an aircraft carrier (7:22). It taps down on the runway (7:31). An AN/TPS appears (7:44).  A close shot follows the screen spinning (7:52). Rocket launchers (8:13) are aimed. A back view is captured (8:24) of the rocket launcher. The Raytheon MIM-23 Hawk was introduced into service in the 1960’s (8:46). Another shot of the AN/TPS-75 follows (9:05). A ground observer watches through binoculars (9:23). Rockets are launched from the ground (9:29)