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Henschel Hs 293

Henschel · Air-to-Surface Guided Missile / Anti-Shipping Guided Missile · Germany · WWII (1939–1945)

Henschel Hs 293 — Air-to-Surface Guided Missile / Anti-Shipping Guided Missile
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The Henschel Hs 293 was a World War II German radio-guided glide bomb. It is the first operational anti-shipping missile, first used unsuccessfully on 25 August 1943 and then with increasing success over the next year, damaging or sinking at least 25 ships. Allied efforts to jam the radio control link were increasingly successful despite German efforts to counter them. The weapon remained in use through 1944 when it was also used as an air-to-ground weapon to attack bridges to prevent the Allied breakout after D-Day, but proved almost useless in this role.

Specifications

Category
Missiles
Sub-Category
ASM
Domain
Defence
Era
WWII (1939–1945)
Country
Germany
Manufacturer
Henschel
Primary Role
Air-to-Surface Guided Missile / Anti-Shipping Guided Missile
Status
Retired
Service Entry
1943
Produced
1000
Propulsion
Rocket
Engine
Walter HWK 109-507B rocket
Thrust / Power
1,323 lbf
Launch
Air
Length (ft)
12.4
Wingspan (ft)
9.4
MTOW (lb)
2290
Max Speed (mph)
373
Armament
595 lb warhead