MGM-1 Matador - Variants and Design Stages

Variants and Design Stages

• MX-771: Original U.S. Air Force project number.
• SSM-A-1: Early proposed designation for operational missile. This designation was dropped before the first operational missiles were completed.
• XSSM-A-1: First designation applied to first prototypes for development of the missile airframe.
• YSSM-A-1: First designation applied to prototypes for development of the guidance system.
• B-61: Operational designation proposed to supersede SSM-A-1 designation. This designation was designed to classify the missile as a pilotless bomber.
• XB-61: Redesignation of the XSSM-A-1
• YB-61: Redesignation of the YSSM-A-1
• B-61A: First production version of the Matador. Principal difference from the XB-61 and YB-61 was redesign of the airframe with high wings in place of the previous mid-mounted wings.
• TM-61A: Redesignation of the B-61A as the USAF decided to classify the Matador as a tactical missile instead of a pilotless bomber.
• TM-61B: Significant redesign of the TM-61A, ultimately being redesignated as its own system, the TM-76 Mace.
• TM-61C: Improved TM-61A developed as a stop-gap as the TM-61B was under development.
• MGM-1C: Redesignation of the TM-61C in 1963 to meet new aircraft and missile designation standards adopted by the USAF. Only the TM-61C required redesignation as the TM-61A had been fully withdrawn from service and the TM-61B had been redesignated the TM-76 Mace, and ultimately received the MGM-13 designation.