Author Topic: Pye Wacket and its Manned ASAT Derivative (Read 3845 times)

Astronautica · « **on:** 07/14/2015 12:30 pm »

I've posted a new article on the Pye Wacket 'flying saucer' missile, the people behind it, it's various versions, and ultimate elaboration into a manned ASAT: http://astronautix.com/craft/pyeacket.htm.

MattMason · « **Reply #1 on:** 07/14/2015 01:21 pm »

This was a very fun read, and first post, especially the name origin and how geeks had invaded the military long before they claimed to UFO spotters that they're were no such thing as flying saucers when in fact they were making them while giving the project a fantasy name reference and OH NO I'VE GONE CROSS-EYED

JasonAW3 · « **Reply #2 on:** 07/14/2015 01:56 pm »

Quote from: MattMason on 07/14/2015 01:21 pm

This was a very fun read, and first post, especially the name origin and how geeks had invaded the military long before they claimed to UFO spotters that they're were no such thing as flying saucers when in fact they were making them while giving the project a fantasy name reference and OH NO I'VE GONE CROSS-EYED

You stayed up too late at night following the Pluto updates, didn't you?

Seriously, I thought the main reason that they abandoned lenticular shaped craft was controllability issues. Was I incorrect on this?

Archibald · « **Reply #3 on:** 07/14/2015 05:13 pm »

Welcome to the board. Astronautix ? are you Mark Wade himself ?

RyanC · « **Reply #4 on:** 07/15/2015 02:43 am »

October 1961: DEVELOPMENT OF AIRBORNE ARMAMENT 1910-1961; VOLUME II BOMBER DEFENSE, AFSC HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS SERIES 61-52-(2) , Air Force Systems Command, October 1961. Discuses Lenticular Defense Missile for B-70 in 1959.

You can download this at my website at the following link

http://www.alternatewars.com/Archives/Abn_Arm/Abn_Arm_Vol_2_Bin.pdf

While I was at NARA II many years ago, I did some research into Pye Wacket as well, as I was on a B-70 kick as well. I'll see if I can dig it up.

Astronautica · « **Reply #5 on:** 07/18/2015 12:47 pm »

Yes, this is Mark Wade. Thanks for the kind words.

I hope to be cleaning up and updating the site.. but it will take time after years of neglect.

The basic saucer shape was very unstable. This of course made it extremely maneuverable. But the modified blunt lenticular shape developed for Pye Wacket had sufficient stability to be controllable by aft control rockets and still possess maneuverability greater than that of conventional designs.