Regulus I - American Nukes

Regulus

First Submarine-Based Nuclear Missile

The Loon was reconfigured into the Regulus I as the Loon was unable, due to its small size, to carry the nuclear warheads available at the time. This unit, painted a bold yellow and dark blue, is at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum Annex, in Chantilly, Virginia. — The Loon was reconfigured into the Regulus I as the Loon was unable, due to its small size, to carry the nuclear warheads available at the time. This unit, painted a bold yellow and dark blue, is at the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum Annex, in Chantilly, Virginia.

Up until 1958, the Regulus used the W5 nuclear warhead. From 1958 onward, the missile could also be fitted with a far more powerful W27 thermonuclear warhead. This example is at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Annex, in Chantilly, Virginia. — Up until 1958, the Regulus used the W5 nuclear warhead. From 1958 onward, the missile could also be fitted with a far more powerful W27 thermonuclear warhead. This example is at the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Annex, in Chantilly, Virginia.

In the first half of its life the Regulus was carried by aircraft carriers and cruisers, in addition to submarines. At its peak in 1957, sixteen ships could carry the missile. At the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Annex.

By the end of the 1950s, Regulus-capable submarines, which depending on the sub could carry either two, four, or five missiles, could conceivably deploy seventeen Regulus missiles at the same time, all aiming to deter the Soviet Union in the Pacific. This wingless example is at the Point Magu Missile Park, just south of Oxnard. California.

The Regulus I was not supersonic and needed constant guidance from a radio signal to reach its target. The Regulus II was self-guided, and flew much faster, allowing it a better chance of eluding enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft fire. At the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas.

The Regulus II was an entirely new missile, despite its name. Several of the Regulus-capable subs were initially intended to carry Regulus IIs, but with the cancelation of the Regulus II the subs were modified to carry the Regulus I. At the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.

Both the Regulus models look like fighter jets at first glance. While the Regulus I was undergoing testing for its first flight at Edwards AFB, crews would attach a fake canopy to the missile when it was outside of its hanger in an attempt to deceive any observers. This Regulus II is at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.

Unlike the Regulus I, the Regulus II had folding wings, which assisted in quickly launching the missile, minimizing the time necessary for the submarine to stay on the vulnerable surface. Looking down at the missile at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.

By the time the Regulus II missiles were no longer of use as missiles (in a testing program), due to the introduction of the Polaris, they had flown 1129 times--a missile often flew multiple times due to its landing gear and reusability. Later, both models of Regulus were used as target drones and very few survive today. At the Frontiers of Flight Museum, in Dallas. — By the time the Regulus II missiles were no longer of use as missiles (in a testing program), due to the introduction of the Polaris, they had flown 1129 times–a missile often flew multiple times due to its landing gear and reusability. Later, both models of Regulus were used as target drones and very few survive today. At the Frontiers of Flight Museum, in Dallas.

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

up to 120 kt. (W5, fission) or 1900 kt. (W27, thermonuclear)

Hiroshima Equivalent Factor

8x to 126.6x

Dimensions

32 ft x 4 ft., 8 inches x 21 ft wingspan

Weight

13,685 lbs.

Year(s)

1955-1964

Range

575 miles (greatly reduced by radio control limits)

Purpose

Navy nuclear submarine attack capability

NukeMap

Simulated destruction of the Regulus I as if detonated at Grand Prairie, Texas. 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.

The Regulus Proved its Worth During the Cuban Missile Crisis, 4 minutes

Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation: In the 1960s, the Regulus Missile program was a key part of the US nuclear deterrence policy against the USSR. It even played a critical role in the Cuban Missile crisis.

USS TUNNY LAUNCHES THE REGULUS I, 10 minutes

The Regulus was the world’s first nuclear cruise missile. Long before the solid-fueled, underwater-launched Polaris was ready to be deployed, the air-breathing, surface-launched Regulus was put into service. The USS Tunny was placed into active duty in 1957 and for 8 years made deterrent patrols off the coast of the Soviet Union.

Regulus B-Launch And Crash, 3:43

The Regulus was equipped with landing gear in order to save costs during testing, but they often crashed, as in this scratched, silent footage.

Behind the Scenes: Regulus I, 3 minutes

Profile of the Regulus I by the Intrepid Museum’s Curator of Aviation, Eric Boehm.

Oral History Project: Robert Owens, 2:42

Intrepid Museum: Robert Owens, Growler Commanding Officer from 1960 – 1963, describes the procedures for launching a Regulus I nuclear missile from Growler.

Regulus Delivers Missile Mail (1959), 1 minute

A non-combat role for the Regulus nuclear cruise missile is envisioned by the US Navy.

REGULUS II PROGRAM NOVEMBER 1958, 10 minutes

PeriscopFilm: This film, made by manufacturer Chance Vought, chronicles the testing and development of the supersonic, jet powered missile at Edwards Air Force Base. It culminates in the one and only launch of the bird off of a submarine, the USS Grayback (SSG-574) in 1958. This film also shows some of the amazing JATO launches of the missile, and the remote control landings of the Reg II test vehicle. Chance Vought used this procedure to help keep costs down, recovering the missile so that it could be used repeatedly.