| ASM-N-5 Gorgon V | |
| Origin: | United States |
| Type: | Air-to-surface missile |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Used By: | United States Navy |
| Design Date: | 1950–1953 |
| Manufacturer: | Glenn L. Martin Company |
| Number: | 0 |
| Length: | 28feet |
| Filling: | Chemical warfare agents |
| Engine: | None |
| Vehicle Range: | 55km (34miles) |
| Speed: | Mach 0.95 |
| Guidance: | Autopilot |
The ASM-N-5 Gorgon V was an unpowered air-to-surface missile, developed by the Glenn L. Martin Company during the early 1950s for use by the United States Navy as a chemical weapon delivery vehicle. Developed from the earlier PTV-N-2 Gorgon IV test vehicle, the program was cancelled without any Gorgon Vs seeing service.
The Gorgon V project was begun in 1950 to develop an air-to-surface missile capable of dispersing chemical warfare agents over a combat area.[1] Designing of the missile was contracted to the Glenn L. Martin Company, which used the company's earlier PTV-N-2 Gorgon IV ramjet test missile as a basis for the weapon's design.[1] The Gorgon V was to be a long slender missile, with swept wings and conventional tail.[1] The Gorgon IV's ramjet engine, slung beneath the missile's tail, was replaced in the Gorgon V with a X14A aerosol generator, developed by the Edo Aircraft Corporation.[2]
Operational use of the Gorgon V was intended to be based on two missiles being carried by a launching aircraft.[2] These would be released at an altitude of . The Gorgon V would be piloted by autopilot in a high-subsonic dive.[2] Upon reaching an altitude of or less, as measured by a radar altimeter, the aerosol generator would be activated, dispersing chemical agent over an area of up to 20km (10miles) by 9km (06miles).[1]
Development of the Gorgon V continued throughout the Korean War. In 1953 it was projected that the weapon would be ready for operational service by 1955.[2] Later that year, the Gorgon V was cancelled by the US Navy.[3] It is unknown if any prototypes were constructed before the termination of the project.[1]
. James Charles Fahey. The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet. 7. Ships and Aircraft Publishers. Washington, D.C.. 2011-02-11. 9780870216466. 1958.