History of the Redstone Missile System: Design, Test, Project Orbiter, Jupiter-C, Explorer, Operation Hardtack, Army Missile Transport Program, Project Mercury

This fascinating and informative history of the Army's Redstone missile traces its complex development from the beginning through its use in the Mercury manned space program for NASA. The preface reads:

This volume tells the story of the Redstone Field Artillery Missile System, the first large ballistic missile system developed by the Department of the Army. Space and time limitations obviously have required the author to focus on main themes of the Redstone's history at the expense of interesting sidelights. And since many reports and other documents have already been written on the technical aspects of the program, the author has chosen to place less emphasis there in order to present more elsewhere. The aim has been to give a broad, general picture of the Redstone's advancement of missilery. Using a chronological framework, the author has followed the story of the Redstone system from its beginning, as an idea, through its design, development, production, deployment, deactivation, and finally, its retirement. Certain special uses of the system have also been treated.

AN EXPANDING MISSILE PROGRAM * Establishing the Army Missile Program * Original Program Policies * Hermes Research Projects * Providing Facilities and Equipment * Army Needs for Tactical Missiles * Preliminary Study for a 500-Mile Missile * Transfer of the Hermes C1 Project * II. INSTITUTING THE REDSTONE PROGRAM * Results of the Preliminary Study * Findings * Recommendations * Cost Estimates * Reorientation of the Hermes C1 Project * Reorganization in the Army Missile Program * Hermes C1 Development Program * Agreement on Tentative Program * DA Recommendations * Accelerated Program Directed * Preliminary Development Plan * Objectives * Master Schedule * The Manufacturing Program * The Testing Program * Developmental Responsibility * III. FROM PRELIMINARY DESIGN TO FLIGHT TEST * Development of the Major Components * Rocket Engine Fuselage * Guidance and Control * Ground Support Equipment * The Manufacturing Program * Selection of Prime Contractor * Facilities and Equipment * Fabrication and Assembly of the Missiles * Flight Testing the Developmental Missiles * IV. THE TACTICAL REDSTONE * Concept of Tactical Employment * Mission * Organization * Operations Production and Procurement * Planning * Facilities Troop Training * Training Responsibility * Ordnance Corps Policy * ABMA Training Division * Initial Courses * Training Aids * The Composite Field Artillery Missile Group * The 209th and the 46th FAM Groups * Ordnance Training Command * System Deployment * The 40th Field Artillery Missile Group * The 46th Field Artillery Missile Group * The 209th Field Artillery Missile Group * System Support * Responsibilities * Supporting the Deployed Groups * Deactivation of the Tactical System * System Phase-Out * Planned Target Program * Ceremonial Retirement of the Redstone * V. REDSTONE, THE ARMY'S "OLD RELIABLE" * Project Orbiter * Jupiter-C * Explorer Satellites * Television Feasibility Demonstration Project * Operation Hardtack * Army Missile Transport Program * Project Mercury * The Redstone In Review * Appendix * REDSTONE FLIGHT TEST PERFORMANCE DATA SUMMARY * BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE * GLOSSARY