Snark (SM-62) System Operation
The missiles were fired from inclined mobile launchers. Once the launcher was in position, the crew started the turbojet engine, then fired the twin rocket boosters. The boosters, which burned for 4 seconds, carried the missile off the launcher and accelerated it to cruising speed. At that point the turbojet took over and the boosters were jettisoned.
The Snark had an operational ceiling of 50,000 feet and was guided to its target by a stellar-inertial guidance system. Initially Northrop envisioned that at the end of its intercontinental flight Snark would dive directly into its target. Tests found, however, that the missileÕs flight controls and superstructure were not capable of executing such a high-speed maneuver. As an alternative, Northrop outfitted the missile with a detachable nosecone. When the missile was directly over the target, the warhead separated from the fuselage and hurtled down to the ground. Shortly afterward, a set of explosive charges destroyed the missile in flight.