View source for RIM-2 Terrier

{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile         = yes
| name               = RIM-2 Terrier
| image              = RIM-2 Terrier on board USS Boston (CAG-1), in 1966 (NH 98295).jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = RIM-2 Terrier onboard {{USS|Boston|CA-69|6}}
| origin             = United States
| type               = Medium range [[surface-to-air missile]]
| used_by            = [[United States Navy]], and others
| manufacturer       = Convair - Pomona, California Division
| unit_cost          = 
| propellant         = solid rocket fuel
| production_date    = 
| service            = 
| engine             = solid fuel rocket
| engine_power       = 
| weight             = {{convert|3000|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<br>missile: {{convert|1180|lb|kg|abbr=on}},<br>booster: {{convert|1820|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| length             = {{convert|27|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| height             = 
| diameter           = {{convert|13.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| wingspan           = 
| speed              = Mach 3.0 (3704 km/h)
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|17.3|nmi|km|abbr=on}}
| ceiling            = {{convert|80000|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| altitude           = 
| filling            = {{convert|218|lb|kg|abbr=on}} controlled-fragmentation or 1kT [[W45 (nuclear warhead)|W45 nuclear warhead]]{{verification needed|date=September 2025}}
| guidance           = [[Semi-active radar homing]]
| detonation         = 
| launch_platform    = Surface ship
}}

The [[Convair]] '''RIM-2 Terrier''' was a two-stage medium-range naval [[surface-to-air missile]] (SAM), among the earliest SAMs to equip [[United States Navy]] ships. It underwent significant upgrades while in service, starting with [[Beam riding|beam-riding guidance]] with a {{convert|10|nmi|km|adj=on}} range at a speed of [[Mach number|Mach]]&nbsp;1.8 and ending as a [[semi-active radar homing]] (SARH) system with a range of {{convert|40|nmi|km|abbr=on}} at speeds as high as Mach&nbsp;3. It was replaced in service by the [[RIM-67 Standard|RIM-67 Standard ER (SM-1ER)]].

Terrier has also been used as the base stage for a family of [[sounding rocket]]s, beginning with the [[Terrier Malemute]].

== History ==
The Terrier was a development of the [[Operation Bumblebee|Bumblebee Project]], the [[United States Navy]]'s effort to develop a [[surface-to-air missile]] to provide a middle layer of defense against air attack (between carrier [[fighter aircraft|fighters]] and [[Anti-aircraft warfare|antiaircraft guns]]).<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=2001-01-13 |title=Terrier |url=https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00056881/00001/pdf/0|work=White Sands Missile Range Historical Foundation Newsletter |location= |access-date=2022-01-03}}</ref> It was test launched from {{USS|Mississippi|BB-41|6}} on January 28, 1953, and first deployed operationally on the {{sclass|Boston|cruiser|1}}s, {{USS|Boston|CA-69|2}}<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=1956-02-04 |title=Navy's First Guided Missile Cruiser Arrived Yesterday; Here Ten Weeks. |url=https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00031277/00354/pdf/0 |work=The Indian |location=US Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba |access-date=2022-01-03}}</ref> and {{USS|Canberra|CA-70|2}}, in the mid-1950s, with ''Canberra'' being the first to achieve operational status on June 15, 1956. Its US Navy designation was SAM-N-7 until 1963, when it was redesignated RIM-2.

For a brief time during the mid-1950s, the [[United States Marine Corps]] (USMC) had two Terrier [[battalion]]s equipped with specially modified twin sea launchers for land use that fired the SAM-N-7. The Terrier was the first surface-to-air missile operational with the USMC. The launchers were reloaded by a special vehicle that carried two Terrier reloads.<ref>''Rockets & Missiles'' by Bill Gunston, p. 201, Crescent Books 1979, {{ISBN|0-517-26870-1}}</ref>

Initially, the Terrier used radar [[beam-riding]] guidance, forward aerodynamic controls, and a conventional warhead. It had a top speed of Mach 1.8, a range of {{convert|10|nmi|km|abbr=on}}, and was only effective against subsonic targets. Originally, the Terrier had a launch thrust of {{convert|23|kN|abbr=on}} and weight of {{convert|1392|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. Its original dimensions were a diameter of {{convert|340|mm|in|abbr=on}}, a length of {{convert|8.08|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}, and a fin span of {{convert|1.59|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}. The cost per missile in 1957 was an estimated $60,000.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=DOEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=true&pg=PA115 "Shell Cost Soars"] ''Popular Mechanics'', July 1957, p. 115.</ref>

Even before it was in widespread service, the Terrier saw major improvements. The RIM-2C, named the Terrier BT-3 (Beam-riding, Tail control, series 3), was introduced in 1958. The forward control fins were replaced with fixed strakes, and the tail became the control surface. The BT-3 also had a new motor and featured an extended range, Mach 3 speed, and better maneuverability. The RIM-2D Terrier BT-3A(N) entered service in 1962 with a [[W30 (nuclear warhead)|W30]]{{verification needed|date=September 2025}}1kt nuclear warhead,<ref>{{cite journal |last=Polmar |first=Norman |year=1983 |title=Tactical Nuclear Weapons |journal=[[Proceedings (magazine)|Proceedings]] |volume=109 |issue=7 |page=125 |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] }}</ref> but all other variants used a 218&nbsp;lb (99&nbsp;kg) controlled-fragmentation warhead. The Terrier had 2 versions: BT-3(N) and HT-3. Only the BT-3A carried the nuclear warhead, BT-3A(N).

When fired, and after booster separation, its corkscrew contrail progressed to the center of the beam. Reception of its location in the beam was accomplished by a small [[turnstile antenna]] at the rear of the missile; this antenna also received the commands for detonation and self-destruct. The self destruct-command was sent a few milliseconds after the detonation command. The HT-3 was a SARH missile; it followed the reflected energy from the target. However, if jamming was encountered, it would passively home in on the jamming signal.

The [[Belknap-class cruiser|''Belknap'' class]] of DLG, redesignated CG, also carried the [[RUR-5 ASROC|ASROC]] (Anti Submarine Rocket), which was launched from the same launcher as the Terrier. The ''Belknap'' class had three circular magazines in a triangle pattern. The bottom magazine contained the nuclear BT-3A(N) missiles and the Nuclear Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC). This was an additional safety feature in that it involved transferring the nuclear missile from the bottom ring to the upper ring and then to the launcher rails, which entailed many moving steps and time, preventing the accidental loading of a nuclear missile from one of the top two magazines.<ref>{{cite web |title=Belknap Class Cruisers |url=https://www.everand.com/article/667341263/Belknap-Class-Cruisers |website=Everand |publisher=Ships Monthly |date=25 August 2023}}</ref>

The RIM-2E introduced SARH for greater effectiveness against low-flying targets. The final version, the RIM-2F, used a new motor that doubled effective range to {{convert|40|nmi|km|abbr=on}}.

The Terrier was the primary missile system of most US Navy cruisers and [[guided missile frigate]]s built during the 1960s. It could be installed on much smaller ships than the much larger and longer-ranged [[RIM-8 Talos]]. A Terrier installation typically consisted of the Mk 10 twin-arm launcher with a 40-round rear-loading magazine. Some ships had extended magazines with 60 or 80 rounds, and the installation in ''Boston'' and ''Canberra'' used a bottom-loading magazine of 72 rounds.

The French Navy's [[Masurca]] missile was developed with some technology provided by the USN from Terrier.

The Terrier was replaced by the extended range [[RIM-67 Standard]] missile. The RIM-67 offered the range of the much larger [[RIM-8 Talos]] in a missile the size of the Terrier.

The system was decommissioned in USN service in 1995 and by the last foreign user, the Italian Navy, in 2006. 

===Combat service===
On April 19, 1972, a Terrier missile fired by {{USS|Sterett|CG-31|6}} was claimed by the US to have shot down a [[North Vietnamese Air Force]] [[MiG-17|MiG-17F]] in the [[Battle of Dong Hoi]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tempest|first1=Mark|title=US Navy vs. Cruise Missiles? - the Battle off Dong Hoi|url=http://www.eaglespeak.us/2005/03/us-navy-vs-cruise-missiles-battle-off.html|website=EagleSpeak|access-date=29 February 2016}}</ref>

===Research use===
{{See also|Terrier Orion|Terrier Oriole|Terrier Malemute}}
Terrier has also been used, typically as a first stage in a [[sounding rocket]], for conducting high-altitude research. The Terrier can be equipped with various upper stages, like the [[Asp (rocket)|Asp]], the [[TE-416 Tomahawk]] (not to be confused with the similarly named [[BGM-109 Tomahawk]] cruise missile), the [[Orion (rocket)|Orion]], or any of a variety of purpose-built second stages such as Oriole or [[Malemute]]. The booster also served as the basis for the [[MIM-3 Nike Ajax]] booster, which was slightly larger but otherwise similar, and has also seen widespread use in sounding rockets.

==Terrier versions==
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
![[1962 United States Tri-Service missile and drone designation system|Designation]]
!Early designation
!Guidance
!Control surfaces
!Notes
|-
|RIM-2A
|SAM-N-7 BW-0
|Beam-riding
|Wing control
|Subsonic targets only
|-
|RIM-2B
|SAM-N-7 BW-1
|Beam-riding
|Wing control
|Subsonic targets only
|-
|RIM-2C
|SAM-N-7 BT-3
|Beam-riding
|Tail control
|In service 1958, supersonic targets
|-
|RIM-2D
|SAM-N-7 BT-3A
|Beam-riding
|Tail control
|Doubled range
|-
|RIM-2D
|SAM-N-7 BT-3A(N)
|Beam-riding
|Tail control
|[[W45 (nuclear warhead)|W45]] nuclear 1kT yield
|-
|RIM-2E
|SAM-N-7 HT-3
|[[Semi-active radar homing]]
|Tail control
|Introduced semi-active homing
|-
|RIM-2F
|
|[[Semi-active radar homing]]
|Tail control
|New rocket motor
|}

==Operators==
;{{navy|ITA}}
* {{ship|Italian cruiser|Giuseppe Garibaldi|1936|3}} – after 1957 refit
* {{sclass|Andrea Doria|cruiser|1}}
** [[Italian cruiser Andrea Doria|Italian cruiser ''Andrea Doria'']] (C 553)
** [[Italian cruiser Caio Duilio|Italian cruiser ''Caio Duilio'']] (C 554)
* {{ship|Italian cruiser|Vittorio Veneto|550|3}}
;{{navy|NLD}}
* {{HNLMS|De Zeven Provinciën|C802|3}}
;{{navy|USA}}
*{{ship|USS|Gyatt|DDG-712|3}}
*{{sclass|Boston|cruiser|2}}
*{{sclass|Farragut|destroyer|2||1958}}
*{{sclass|Providence|cruiser|2}}
*{{sclass|Long Beach|cruiser|2}}
*{{sclass|Leahy|cruiser|2}}
*{{sclass|Belknap|cruiser|2}}

;{{marines|USA}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title= Ordnance For The Fleet Readied At NOTS|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/Naval%20Aviation%20News/1950/pdf/nov48.pdf |magazine=Naval Aviation News |location=Washington D.C. |publisher=Naval Historical Center |date=November 1958 |access-date=2021-12-30}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:RIM-2 Terrier.jpg|Early-model Terrier
File:USS Mississippi (EAG-128) fires an SAM-N-7 Terrier missile c1954.jpg|Early Model Terrier launched from test vessel {{USS|Mississippi|AG-128|6}}
File:P4Y-2K being shot down by RIM-2 Terrier missile in 1956.jpg|A [[Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer|P4Y-2K]] drone being shot down by a Terrier, 1956.
File:USS Canberra (CAG-2) Terrier missile launch sequence 1960.jpg|{{USS|Canberra|CA-70|6}} launching a Terrier, 1960.
File:USS Dale (DLG-19) launching a RIM-2 Terrier in April 1964 (K-29715).jpg|Terrier launch from {{USS|Dale|CG-19|6}}, 1964.
</gallery>

== See also ==
* {{USS|Norton Sound|AVM-1}}
* [[RIM-24 Tartar]]
* [[Terasca]]
* [[Masurca]] – a related project

==References==
* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-2.html General Dynamics (Convair) SAM-N-7/RIM-2 Terrier]
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2_a9NEESo0 RIM-2 Terrier SAM intercepts a F6F drone]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNNibj0Cxgw&feature=player_embedded "US Marines Terrier"] ''YouTube'' video

{{USN missiles}}
{{US missiles}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:RIM002}}
[[Category:Cold War nuclear missiles of the United States]]
[[Category:Cold War surface-to-air missiles of the United States]]
[[Category:Naval surface-to-air missiles]]
[[Category:Naval surface-to-air missiles of the United States]]
[[Category:Naval weapons of the United States]]
[[Category:Nuclear anti-aircraft weapons]]
[[Category:Surface-to-air missiles of the United States]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1950s]]
[[Category:Convair]]