Copperhead

Copperhead was the first successful cannon-launched missile. It was a laser-guided round fired from a 155-mm. howitzer in the same manner as a conventional round. Fired by a regular artillery crew with no special training, Copperhead provided the capability to destroy moving or stationary hard-point targets with pinpoint accuracy. On firing, a thermal battery and a timer inside the Copperhead were activated, a gyro was spun up, tailfins popped open, and the laser seeker began to scan. The seeker homed in on reflected laser energy from a target as the munition fell toward earth. Fins popped open from the midbody to guide the Copperhead into its target, which was destroyed by the shell's shaped-charge warhead., In 1971, the Army initiated development of the Cannon-Launched Guided Projectile (CLGP), which was renamed Copperhead in 1975. It was fielded in 1982. Production ended in 1989, after 27,000 rounds had been produced. Copperhead was used in combat in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm, but proved to be limited by target conditions and cost., Developmental testing began at White Sands Missile Range in 1972. In the following five years, 299 Copperheads were tested here., Length: 54 inches , Diameter: 6 inches , Weight: 138 pounds , Propellant: Standard Artillery Charges , First Firing: 1972