Q&A ยท 4:45:19-4:52:34

Tartar and Talos represented different missile scales

The closing missile comparison contrasts Tartar's compact lineage with Talos's long-range performance and enormous installation burden.

Question

What were the advantages and disadvantages of Tartar compared with Talos?

Short answer

Tartar was the smaller short-range system that evolved toward Standard Missile, while Talos delivered exceptional range and speed at the cost of a huge missile, extensive shipboard machinery, and demanding handling arrangements.

Notes

The comparison places Talos at the long-range end of the American missile families, with Terrier in the middle and Tartar as the shorter-range system. Tartar developed from Terrier and led toward the Standard Missile program. Talos is described as a roughly three-and-a-half-ton missile capable of Mach 3, combining substantial performance with a demanding installation. A visit aboard USS Little Rock illustrates the magazine, component handling, and shipboard assembly spaces required for it. Tartar could fit aboard more ships, was easier to maintain, and offered more missiles and a faster firing rate at the expense of range. The anti-ship comparison distinguishes Talos's heavy impact from Standard Missile attacks intended to damage a ship's topside and achieve a mission kill.