Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

U.S. JB-2 Loon Guided Missile

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

1. U.S. JB-2 Loon Guided Missile Marker

Inscription. The JB-2 was the first American guided missile (an American copy of the German V1 Flying Bomb) and it was called the Loon, JB-2 (Jet Bomb). Intended for the invasion of Japan, the first JB-2 was launched in October 1944. The war ended, however, before it could be used against the enemy. The JB-2 was launched from a 175 long ramp, elevated to 6 degrees. A fuel-powered catapult or rocket powered launcher propelled the Loon off the ramp. The JB-2 could also be mounted on a solid-fueled rocket sled, which quickly boosted its speed to 250 mph. This allowed the Loon to be launched from a very short platform, such as the deck of a submarine. The JB-2 was powered by a pulse jet engine burning gasoline and reached speeds of 440 mph. Guidance was controlled by a gyroscope, monitored by a magnetic compass to maintain a fixed heading. An altitude control and air-log was used to measure the distance traveled. When the air-log reached its prescribed setting, the arming circuit closed and the controls locked into a dive position causing the missile to plunge to its target. The Loon was accurate within a quarter of a mile at a range of 100 miles.

Length - 27 ft 1 in. - 8.25 m
Weight - 5,025 lbs. - 2,243 kg
Range - 150 miles - 240 km
Warhead - 200 lbs. of high explosive
CCN# 122087

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U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 410.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1944.

Location. 34° 40.008′ N, 98° 23.138′ W. Marker is in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in Comanche County. It is at the intersection of Corral Road and Randolph Road, on the right when traveling west on Corral Road. The marker is located in the central section of Artillery Park at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Sill OK 73503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Kiowa Tribe,

in the Comanche Nation,

and in Southwest Oklahoma.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher (a few steps from this marker); U.S. M37 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (a few steps from this marker); British 5.5-Inch Mark IV Field Gun (a few steps from this marker); Soviet M1931/37 122mm Field Gun (a few steps from this marker); U.S. MGR-1 Honest John Rocket (a few steps from this marker); Japanese Type 41 75mm Regimental Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M1 8-Inch Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M4 Lacrosse Missile (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Sill.

More about this marker. Marker and Museum are located on Fort Sill, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to

The front view of the U.S. JB-2 Loon Guided Missile image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

2. The front view of the U.S. JB-2 Loon Guided Missile

the public, but appropriate identification is required for access for Fort Sill.

Also see . . . U.S. Army Artillery Museum. (Submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The side view of the U.S. JB-2 Loon Guided Missile image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

3. The side view of the U.S. JB-2 Loon Guided Missile

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 512 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.