The MIM-46 Mauler was an ill-fated American Army surface-to-air tracked missile defense system.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited:
11/9/2016
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Credit: Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
The MIM-46 "Mauler" was an ill-fated attempt at a tracked mobile surface to air missile defense system for the US Army. The Mauler project was dropped after development issues resulted from various technological failures emerged. These included structural deficiencies of the missile canisters during launch, rocket motor problems occuring after ignition of the missile and basic aerodynamic issues related to the missile in flight. The MIM-46 was to feature a three-by-three missile block assembly atop the chassis of the ubiquitous M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, designated as the "XM546 Tracked Fire Unit" in the Mauler configuration. By 1965, the US Army decided to focus its energies and funding on the M48 "Chaparral" air defense system instead.
Details of the XMIM-46A Missile includes a running length of 6 feet (1.83 meters), a width of 13 inches and an individual unit weight of 120lbs. The missile could speed along at 1,000 meters per second and defend altitude ceilings of up to 20,000 feet with an operational range of 5 miles (8km) from the launch point. The XMIM-46A relied on a 19lb blast fragmentation warhead and was propelled at speed by a Lockheed-brand solid fuel rocket motor.
The RIM-46A "Sea Mauler" was to be a navalized version of the launcher portion for the United States Navy though none were ever produced.
Specifications
Year: 1960
Crew 3
Manufacturing General Dynamics - USA
Production 1 Units
United States (canceled)
- Anti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial
Length:
8.27 ft (2.52 m)
Width/Span:
8.83 ft (2.69 m)
Height:
6.56 ft (2 m)
Weight:
12 tons (11,300 kg; 24,912 lb)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the MIM-46 Mauler production model)
1 x General Motors 6V53 6-cylinder diesel engine generating 212 horsepower.
(Showcased powerplant information pertains to the MIM-46 Mauler production model)
Maximum Speed:
37 mph (60 kph)
Maximum Range:
298 miles (480 km)
(Showcased performance values pertain to the MIM-46 Mauler production model; Compare this entry against any other in our database)
1 x 9 Missile Launcher
Ammunition: 9 x XMIM-46A Surface-to-Air Missiles
(Showcased armament details pertain to the MIM-46 Mauler production model)
XMIM-46A "Mauler" - Project Series Designation
RIM-46A "Sea Mauler" - Shipborne version (launcher only), never produced.
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United States (canceled)
