GENERAL DESCRIPTION. The A-9 is similar in appearance and results to the A-4b but is of different internal construction. It was proposed to develop and manufacture the A-9 in place of the A-4; however, this would require much recon-version and the A-4b, which could be put into operation much quicker, was being pushed as a stop-gap. (See fig. 203A.) It was to have a Salbei-Visol rocket motor very similar to the missile Wasserfall. It is shot into the air like a V-2 and bent toward the traget, but rather than falling, it glides over the target where is goes into a vertical dive. It would travel about 600 km in 17 se-conds.

Figure 203A – A9/A10 Long Range Missile

A proposal was made a launch it from a catapult at supersonic speed to increase the range. It was also proposed to install a pressurized cabin and use a human pilot. The pilot would drop the warhead on the target and then return to his base. A retracable landing gear would be used in the landing which, it was felt, could be carried out at a speed as low as 160 km per hour.

Although the A-10 was never built, the calculations were completed for this unit which was to be used as an assist take-off motor for the A-9. It supplies a thrust of 200 tons and would be jettisoned after it had served its purpose. When the A-10 is jettisoned, the A-9 would have a velocity of 1,200 meters per second and the A-9 motor would begin to function. The ultimate velocity was expected to be 2,800 meters per second. The A-9/A-10 combination was expected to have a range of 5,000 km. It was also proposed to use a human pilot in this combination. (See fig. 203B).

Figure 203B – A9/A10 Long Range Missile