OVERVIEW: The Bendix RIM-8 Talos was a long-range naval surface-to-air missile, and was among the earliest surface-to-air missiles to equip United States Navy ships. The Talos used radar beam riding for guidance to the vicinity of its target, and semiactive radar homing (SARH) for terminal guidance. The characteristic array of four antennas surrounding the nose are the SARH receivers which functioned as a continuous wave interferometer. Thrust was provided by a solid rocket booster for initial launch and a Bendix ramjet for flight to target with the warhead doubling as the ramjet's compressor.

DETAILS: The Talos saw relatively limited use due to its large size and dual radar antenna system; there were few ships that could accommodate the large missiles with the AN/SPW-2 missile guidance radar and the AN/SPG-49 target illumination and tracking radar. Indeed, the 11.6-meter-long, 3.5 tonne missile was similar in size to a fighter aircraft. The Talos Mark 7 launcher system was installed in three Galveston class cruisers (converted Cleveland class light cruisers) with 14 missiles in a ready-service magazine and up to 30 unmated missiles and boosters in a storage area above the main deck. Nuclear-powered USS Long Beach and three Albany class cruiser (converted Baltimore class heavy cruisers) carried Mark 12 launchers fed from behind by a 46-round magazine below the main deck.

SPECIFICATION: Weight: 7,800 lb (3,538 kg) || Length: 456 in (11.6 metres) || Diameter: 28 in (0.7 metres) || Warhead: 136 kg (300 lb) continuous-rod HE warhead or W30 nuclear warhead (2-5 kt) || Engine Stage 1: MK 11 solid-fueled rocket booster || Engine Stage 2: Bendix ramjet sustainer || Wingspan: 2.80 m (110 in).

PERFORMANCE: Operational Range: 185 km (100 nm); RIM-8A: 92 km (50 nm) || Flight Ceiling: 24400 m (80,000 ft) || Speed: Mach 2.5 || Guidance System: Radar beam riding and (non-nuclear variants) semi-active radar homing || Launch Platform: Surface Ship.

SOURCE: [SCO] Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org