Henschel Hs 117

The Henschel Hs 117 Schmetterling (German for Butterfly) was a radio-guided German surface-to-air missile project developed during World War II. There was also an air-to-air version, the Hs 117H.Template:Sfnp

The operators used a telescopic sight and a joystick to guide the missile by radio control, which was detonated by acoustic and photoelectric proximity fuses, at Template:Convert.Template:Sfnp

Development

In 1941, Professor Herbert A. Wagner (who was previously responsible for the Henschel Hs 293 anti-ship missile) invented the Schmetterling missile and submitted it to the Reich Air Ministry (RLM), who rejected the design because there was no need for more anti-aircraft weaponry.

However, by 1943 the large-scale bombing of Germany caused the RLM to change its mind, and Henschel was given a contract to develop and manufacture it. The team was led by Professor Wagner, and it produced a weapon somewhat resembling a bottlenose dolphin with swept wings and cruciform tail.Template:Sfnp

In May 1944, 59 Hs 117 missiles were tested, some from beneath a Heinkel He 111; over half the trials failed.Template:Sfnp Mass production was ordered in December 1944, with deployment to start in March 1945. Operational missiles were to be launched from a 37mm gun carriage.Template:Sfnp

In January 1945, a prototype for mass production was completed, and production of 3,000 missiles a month was anticipated,Template:Sfnp but on 6 February, SS-Obergruppenführer Hans Kammler cancelled the project.

Variants

The Hs 117H was an air-launched variant, designed to be launched from a Dornier Do 217, Junkers Ju 188, or Junkers Ju 388.Template:Sfnp This version was designed to attack enemy aircraft up to Template:Convert above the launching aircraft.Template:Sfnp

References

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External links

• Henschel Hs117 Schmettering (Butterfly) - Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford (UK)
• German language page on the Hs 117 Schmetterling SAM missile