| AAM-N-4 Oriole | |
| Origin: | United States |
| Type: | Air-to-air missile |
| Is Explosive: | yes |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Service: | 1950–1955 |
| Used By: | United States Navy |
| Design Date: | 1947 |
| Manufacturer: | Martin |
| Length: | 11feet |
| Filling: | High explosive |
| Speed: | Mach 2.5 |
| Guidance: | Active radar homing |
| Wingspan: | 3inchesft2.8inchesin (ftin) |
| Altitude: | Max at launch, |
The AAM-N-4 Oriole was an early American air-to-air missile, developed by the Glenn L. Martin Company for the United States Navy. Designed for launch from carrier-based aircraft, the missile programme was cancelled before flight testing began, and the missiles produced were utilized as test vehicles.
Development of the AAM-N-4 Oriole began in 1947, when a development contract was awarded by the United States Navy's Bureau of Ordnance to the Glenn L. Martin Company to develop a heavy air-to-air missile,[1] utilizing active radar homing for fire and forget operation,[2] for launch from aircraft operating from aircraft carriers.[3] Oriole was intended to utilize a rocket[4] or rocket-ramjet propulsion system; the intended range of the weapon was,[5] however as tested it was limited to a range of approximately .[3] Ready for launch, the missile weighed,[6] and used cruciform fins at the missile's midbody and at the tail for flight control.[7] Flight speed was originally intended to be above Mach 3.[8]
In 1948, the Oriole contract was redefined to be a guidance development program instead of a project to develop an operational missile; the program to construct test vehicles resumed in 1950 for research and development purposes,[9] the missiles being redesignated RTV-N-16.[3] Flight testing began shortly thereafter at the Naval Air Missile Test Center at Point Mugu, California; testing continued through 1953, with 56 flight tests being conducted throughout the program;[9] as built the missile proved to be capable of Mach 2.5.[7] The Oriole program was terminated at the end of 1953.[10]
. James Charles Fahey. The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet. 1958. Ships and Aircraft Publishers. 7th. Washington, DC. 9780870216466.
. Friedman . Norman . Norman Friedman . U.S. Naval Weapons: every gun, missile, mine, and torpedo used by the U.S. Navy from 1883 to the present day . 1982 . Naval Institute Press . Annapolis, MD . 978-0-87021-735-7.
. Bill Gunston. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Rockets and Missiles. 1979. Salamander. London. 978-0861010295.