| RIM-8 Talos | |
|---|---|
 RIM-8G Talos missile | |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1958-1979 |
| Used by | United States Navy |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Bendix |
| Produced | 1955 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7,800 lb (3,500 kg) (missile: 3,400 lb (1,500 kg), booster: 4,400 lb (2,000 kg)) |
| Length | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Diameter | 28 in (71 cm) |
| Wingspan | 280 cm (110 in) |
| Warhead | 211 kg (465 lb) continuous-rod HE warhead or W30 nuclear warhead (2–5 kt) |
| Engine | Stage 1: Hercules MK 11 solid-fueled rocket booster, Stage 2: Bendix ramjet sustainer 20,053lbf, 89.20kN |
Operational range | RIM-8J 241 km (130 nm); RIM-8A: 92 km (50 nm) |
| Flight ceiling | 24,400 m (80,100 ft) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3 |
Guidance system | Radar beam riding and (non-nuclear variants) semi-active radar homing |
Launch platform | Surface ship |
Bendix RIM-8 Talos was a long-range naval surface-to-air missile (SAM), among the earliest SAMs to equip United States Navy ships. The Talos used radar beam riding for guidance to the vicinity of its target, and semi-active radar homing (SARH) for terminal guidance. The four antennas surrounding the nose were SARH receivers, which functioned as a continuous wave interferometer. A solid rocket booster provided thrust for launch and a Bendix ramjet powered its flight to the target, with the warhead serving as the ramjet's compressor.
