Convair Lobber

In 1958, Convair developed a short-range cargo-carrying surface-to-surface rocket for the U.S. Army. The rocket, called Lobber, was to be used to provide forward troops with needed supplies in case ground-based support lines are disrupted. It was first flight-tested in December 1958.

Lobber was powered by a solid-fueled rocket motor and was launched from a simple portable launcher. One rocket and launcher could be hand-carried by a three man team. The nose cone, which could carry up to 23 kg (50 lb) of cargo, was a quick-disconnect type for easy configuring and loading. To prevent damage to its cargo, the Lobber used a parachute and a shock-absorbing nose cone. The rocket had a maximum range of about 13 km (8 miles).

Photo: Convair		Photo: via Ordway/Wakeford
Lobber

Although the flight tests were apparently basically successful, and Convair also proposed alternate nose cones with various military warheads (including high-explosive, napalm, chemical and nuclear ones), the Lobber was not developed further. It appears that the utility of a troop supply rocket was not regarded high enough to warrant the development and fielding of yet another artillery rocket.

Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for Lobber:

Length	2.7 m (9 ft)
Diameter	25 cm (10 in)
Speed	2400 km/h (1500 mph)
Range	13 km (8 miles)
Propulsion	Solid-fueled rocket

Main Sources

[1] John W. R. Taylor (ed.): "Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1960-61", Jane's, 1961
[2] Frederick I. Ordway III, Ronald C. Wakeford: "International Missile and Spacecraft Guide", McGraw-Hill, 1960
[3] Norman J. Bowman: "The Handbook of Rockets and Guided Missiles", Perastadion Press, 1963

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

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Last Updated: 13 June 2003