MGR-1 Honest John Nuclear Rocket

White Sands Missile Range Museum

 

Honest John was a simple, free-flight rocket, as opposed to a guided missile. It was the first post-World War II American rocket to become operational. It carried an atomic or a high explosive warhead.

 

Of all U.S. nuclear weapons of the 1950s, Honest John was the easiest to operate. Its three parts (warhead, motor, fins) were assembled and mounted on a six-wheel launcher by a crew of six men with a crane. The rocket was then ready for aiming and firing. However, it was no more accurate than conventional artillery rounds and more influenced by winds.

 

Development began in May 1950 for a large-caliber unguided solid-fuel field artillery rocket with a nuclear capability. Flight testing began at White Sands Missile Range in June 1951. In January 1953, the first Honest John rockets reached U.S. Army units. It was deployed in Europe in 1954. In 1961, the Improved Honest John replaced the earlier model with reduced weight, shortened length and an increased range.

 

Lance began to replace Honest John in 1973, relegating all Honest Johns to U.S. Army National Guard units. In 1982, Honest John was declared obsolete. At White Sands Missile Range, from 1951 to 1977, 1711 were fired. After 1962, most Honest John rockets were used here to test various warheads.

 

Length: 27 ft

Diameter: 30 in

Weight: 5,800 pounds

Propellant: Solid

Range: 12 miles

First Fired: 1951

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