NOTS-EV-1 Pilot

The NOTS-EV-1 Pilot, also known as NOTSNIK was an expendable launch system and anti-satellite weapon developed by the United States Navy United States Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS). Ten were launched during July and August 1958, all of which failed. It was the first air-launched rocket to be used for an orbital launch attempt, however none were recorded as having reached orbit. Following the first and third orbital launch attempts, a tracking station in New Zealand reported receiving weak signals from the spacecraft, however this was never confirmed, and the launches were not catalogued as having reached orbit. The Pilot rocket was part of Project Pilot.

Two variants of the Pilot rocket were built; the Pilot-1, with battleship second to fifth stages, was used for ground-launched atmospheric tests from China Lake, and the Pilot-2, an air-launched version, was used for orbital launch attempts. Orbital launches were conducted from an F-6A Skyray, flying from Point Mugu Naval Air Station, and releasing the rocket over the Santa Barbara Channel Drop Zone. Of the ten launches, four were of Pilot-1s, and the rest Pilot-2s.

Project Pilot was cancelled in August 1958, and replaced by the NOTS-EV-2 Caleb. The project remained classified until 1994.