NOTS Hopi

The Hopi medium-range air-to-surface missile was designed by the NOTS (Naval Ordnance Test Station) at China Lake. It was flight-tested in 1958, but was cancelled in December that year. It was powered by a rocket engine, and was to be armed with a W-50 thermonuclear warhead (60-400 kT). No additional information, e.g. about the results of the flight tests, the planned mode of operation and the guidance system (or if it was guided at all!), is available.

Photos: U.S. Navy (via Gary Verver collection)
Hopi

Designation Note: The Hopi's mission and time frame make it a good candidate for the ASM-N-9 missile designation, which is as yet unaccounted for (see page on Missing Numbers in pre-1963 Missile Designation Listings).

Specifications

No information on the exact characteristics of Hopi is available.

Main Sources

[1] Chuck Hansen: "Swords of Armageddon", Chukelea Publications, 1995
[2] Frederick I. Ordway III, Ronald C. Wakeford: "International Missile and Spacecraft Guide", McGraw-Hill, 1960

Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4

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Last Updated: 13 June 2003