Rascal
An EARLY CRUISE MISSILE
Weapon Specifications
Note that the relationship between explosive power and destruction is not linear—a weapon’s destructive effects grow far more slowly than its explosive power.
Explosive Power
1.9 Megatons
Hiroshima Equivalent Factor
127x
Dimensions
31 ft., 11.5 inches x 4 ft.
Weight
13,500 lbs.
Range
113 miles, Mach 1.5
Year(s)
1952, canceled before deployment
Purpose
A plane-launched “stand-off” missile
NukeMap
Simulated destruction of a Rascal missile, targeted at 8822 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, the historical address of Hal Roach Studios. Click on the map to change parameters.
Videos
These curated videos provide additional context for this weapon — showing test footage, deployment scenes, technical explanations, interviews, or other historical material, allowing viewers to go deeper into the weapon’s design, use, and place in nuclear history.
Further Reading
- Wikipedia, Designation Systems, Global Security
- The Black Vault has a list of links to historical documents related to the development of the Rascal.
- Among the Black Vault’s links, this one is worth calling out: “The History of the Rascal Weapons System 1952–1958.”
- Joe Baugher has a summary history of the Rascal, which may be more readable than other efforts.