Rheintochter

Rheintochter was a German surface-to-air missile developed during World War II. Its name comes from the mythical Rheintöchter (Rhinemaidens) of Richard Wagner's opera series Der Ring des Nibelungen.

History
Rheintochter was ordered in November 1942 by the German army (Wehrmacht). Starting in August 1943, 82 test firings were made. An air-launched version was also designed.

The project was cancelled on February 6, 1945.

An example is on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Another example is on display at the Deutsches Technikmuseum in Berlin.

Variants


The initial R1 variant was powered by a two-stage solid-fuel rocket.

Because this variant lacked the ability to reach high altitudes, the R3 model was developed, which had a liquid fuel engine with solid-fuel boosters.

Characteristics

 * Primary Function: surface-to-air missile
 * Contractor: Rheinmetall-Borsig
 * Power Plant: RI variant was 2-stage solid fuel; RIII was liquid fuel with solid-fuel boosters
 * Length:
 * Diameter: cm
 * Wing Span: 265 cm
 * Launch Weight: 1748 kg
 * Speed: 485 m/s
 * Warhead: 136 kg explosive
 * Range: km
 * Altitude: R1 8 km
 * Fuzes:
 * Guidance system:
 * Unit Cost:
 * Date Deployed:
 * Users: Germany