Q&A · 5:34:41-5:35:05

What early British surface-to-air missiles demonstrated

Fairey Stooge and Brakemine are judged poor operational weapons but important physical demonstrations that guided air defence was becoming possible.

Missiles Naval Air Defence Naval Technology Royal Navy Surface-to-Air Missiles

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Question

Were early British guided weapons such as Fairey Stooge and Brakemine effective surface-to-air missiles?

Short answer

No; they were capability demonstrators rather than good operational weapons.

Notes

Fairey Stooge and Brakemine receive a poor assessment as practical anti-aircraft weapons. Their importance lies in the step from a theoretical guided-weapon capability to physical hardware. They demonstrated a possibility that still required development.