Alpha Draco
The Alpha Draco missile, also known as Weapons System 199D (WS-199D), was an experimental ballistic missile developed by McDonnell Aircraft in the late 1950s to investigate the aerodynamic physics of the boost-glide reentry trajectory. Three test flights were conducted in 1959, of which two were successful.
Also recorded as WS-199D · Weapons System 199D
Alpha Draco
- Name
- Alpha Draco
- Field
- ballistic missile
- Period
- 1957
- Region
- United States
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Documentary summary
The Alpha Draco missile, also known as Weapons System 199D (WS-199D), was an experimental ballistic missile developed by McDonnell Aircraft in the late 1950s to investigate the aerodynamic physics of the boost-glide reentry trajectory. Three test flights were conducted in 1959, of which two were successful.
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wikidata · Q4735026 · wikipedia · Alpha Draco
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Alpha Draco • Origin — United States • Type — Experimental ballistic missile • Is Missile — yes • Service — 1959 • Used By — United States Air Force • Design Date — 1957-1958 • Manufacturer — McDonnell • Number — 3 • Length — 14.05 m • Diameter — 31 in • Engine — First stage, Thiokol TX-20 222 kN • Engine Power — Second stage, Thiokol TX-30 54.8 kN • Vehicle Range — 240 mi • Speed — Mach 5+ • Wingspan — 2.16 m • Propellant — Solid fuel • Ceiling — 100000 ft
Design and development
Design and development
As part of the WS-199 project to develop new strategic weapons for the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command, McDonnell Aircraft developed the Alpha Draco missile between 1957 and 1959, under a contract to launch three vehicles to determine the feasibility of the boost-glide reentry vehicle (BGRV) concept. The purpose of the rocket was to establish whether a strategic missile using the "boost-glide" principle of propulsion could be practically used. The idea had been proposed by Walter Dornberger, who had moved to McDonnell after working for a short time at Bell Aircraft. Dornberger had originally worked on the idea as part of efforts to extend the range of the V-2 missile late in World War II. The Alpha Draco missile was a two-stage vehicle, the first stage comprising a Thiokol TX-20 solid-fuel rocket of the type used in the MGM-29 Sergeant theater ballistic missile, and the second stage using a Thiokol TX-30 solid-fuel rocket. The payload vehicle was aerodynamically shaped, using the lifting body principle to provide aerodynamic lift; following burnout of the first stage, the vehicle would coast for a short time before ignition of the second stage, burnout of the second stage was followed by the vehicle entering the glide phase of flight, which would be terminated by a dive upon the target. The vehicle would enter a roll during its glide period to distribute aerodynamic heating. Guidance was provided by a Honeywell inertial guidance unit.
Operational history
Operational history
Following modification of the launch pad at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 10 to include a concrete flame deflector and a gantry modified from that used by the Honest John battlefield missile, three test launches of the Alpha Draco vehicle were conducted during 1959. The initial flight, on February 16, was successful; the second flight, one month later, also fulfilled its test goals. The final launch of the Alpha Draco on April 30, however, suffered a flight-control failure and was destroyed by range safety command. With the expenditure of the third and final vehicle, the program was concluded, the project's cost having come to a total of approximately $5 million USD ($ million today). The program demonstrated that the vehicle was able to generate lift/drag ratio of 3.5 to 1, allowing it to greatly extend its range; it was also the first missile to achieve hypersonic flight inside of an atmosphere. Although this was not put to immediate use, the tests provided valuable data that was used for later programs like the Boost Glide Reentry Vehicle and the ASSET and X-23 PRIME programs. Better understanding of the hypersonic lift process also led to the lifting body designs of the 1960s. McDonnell Aircraft proposed a development of the Alpha Draco concept for the USAF requirement that evolved into the Minuteman missile program, but the boost-glide concept was considered too immature for operational development. To be on the safe side, Minuteman silos were built deeper than required in case a boost-glide weapon would be fitted in the future. Although this never came to be, the extra depth proved invaluable as it allowed the missile to grow in length to the Minuteman III design without having to build new silos.
Launch history
Launch history
• Date/Time (GMT) — Launch site — Outcome — Remarks • | 1959-02-16 — Launch Complex 10 — Success — Apogee 30 km, impact 224 nmi downrange • | 1959-03-16 — Launch Complex 10 — Success — Apogee 30 km, impact 212 nmi downrange • | 1959-04-27 — Launch Complex 10 — Failure — Destroyed due to flight path excursion following second stage ignition.
Definition
Definition
The following is established of the heading itself. Institutional cataloguing adds that alpha Draco is classified as a ballistic missile. It is also recorded that alpha Draco is associated with United States. Institutional cataloguing adds that alpha Draco is recorded from 1957.
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- United States
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This entry is compiled from 9 catalogued sources across 5 independent registers. The registers consulted are Crossref registry, Wikipedia, Allen Institute for AI, DataCite and Wikidata. Every statement above is held against the register that stated it; where the registers are silent, the entry is silent.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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