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Lot 62
AMERICAN BALLISTIC MISSILE TECHNOLOGY. POLARIS MISSILE UMBILICAL POWER CABLE AND CANNON ASSEMBLY.
20 July 2016, 13:00 EDT
New YorkUS$2,000 - US$3,000
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AMERICAN BALLISTIC MISSILE TECHNOLOGY.
POLARIS MISSILE UMBILICAL POWER CABLE AND CANNON ASSEMBLY.
Power cable and cannon assembly in steel, rubber, steel mesh, and plastic covered copper wire. Approx 47 inches long, 2 inches wide at the narrowest point, 6 inches at widest. Spring powered handle labeled "CANNON" and with serial number "GB3PI", attached to one end of rubber cable labeled "A3Q63", printing on handle reads:"PLUG, UMBILICAL MAIN. CUST. P/N P2363132 REV. LTR. BASIC. CONTRACT NO. NOW63-0050" and "CANNON P/N GM100124-1, S/N P1022 ASSY. DATE 3Q63. CANNON ELECTRIC CO". Plaque with circular panel of perforations labeled "CANNON", two 25 inch long metal mesh cables connected to rubber cable, each metal mesh cable with approx 3 inch long section of rubber tubing on one end, labeled :"TO MISSILE---->", and two 4 inch sections of rubber tubing at other end, labeled: "NAME: HOSE ASSY UMBILICAL CABLE. PART NO. 2333530. SER. NO. 103. CONTR. NO. NOW 62 1020". Each metal mesh cable with two metal hose clamps labeled: "AEROQUIP. M650076-1. 2333530" and "MIL-H-25579. 1500PSI. OCT. 6392582 P". Metal mesh cables threaded through metal and rubber loop labeled: "2333522", ends of cables connected together with coupler labeled "TITEFLEX. X218-10. PAT. APPLIED FOR."
PROVENANCE: Property of an institution.
The Polaris was a solid-fuel nuclear-armed two-stage submarine launched ballistic missile. Built during the Cold War for the United States Navy by Lockheed Missiles and Space Company (now Lockheed Martin), the Polaris had its first test launch at Cape Canaveral on January 7, 1960. While it was not the first submarine launched nuclear missile, its use of solid-propellant propulsion was considered revolutionary, as it permitted a substantial reduction in the size of the missile. Not only was the Polaris substantially smaller and lighter than earlier ballistic missiles, it also benefited from a superior launch system, enabling the missile to be propelled to the surface from a fully submerged submarine. Prior to this, in order to launch a missile, submarines had to surface, placing them at risk of being detected. The Polaris was so successful, that it was later adopted by the British and became the pillar of its nuclear deterrent force during the 1970s and 80s. The umbilical cable was attached to a guidance and control system, providing a path for the exchange of electronic signals between the missile and the submarine before missile launch.
Power cable and cannon assembly in steel, rubber, steel mesh, and plastic covered copper wire. Approx 47 inches long, 2 inches wide at the narrowest point, 6 inches at widest. Spring powered handle labeled "CANNON" and with serial number "GB3PI", attached to one end of rubber cable labeled "A3Q63", printing on handle reads:"PLUG, UMBILICAL MAIN. CUST. P/N P2363132 REV. LTR. BASIC. CONTRACT NO. NOW63-0050" and "CANNON P/N GM100124-1, S/N P1022 ASSY. DATE 3Q63. CANNON ELECTRIC CO". Plaque with circular panel of perforations labeled "CANNON", two 25 inch long metal mesh cables connected to rubber cable, each metal mesh cable with approx 3 inch long section of rubber tubing on one end, labeled :"TO MISSILE---->", and two 4 inch sections of rubber tubing at other end, labeled: "NAME: HOSE ASSY UMBILICAL CABLE. PART NO. 2333530. SER. NO. 103. CONTR. NO. NOW 62 1020". Each metal mesh cable with two metal hose clamps labeled: "AEROQUIP. M650076-1. 2333530" and "MIL-H-25579. 1500PSI. OCT. 6392582 P". Metal mesh cables threaded through metal and rubber loop labeled: "2333522", ends of cables connected together with coupler labeled "TITEFLEX. X218-10. PAT. APPLIED FOR."
PROVENANCE: Property of an institution.
The Polaris was a solid-fuel nuclear-armed two-stage submarine launched ballistic missile. Built during the Cold War for the United States Navy by Lockheed Missiles and Space Company (now Lockheed Martin), the Polaris had its first test launch at Cape Canaveral on January 7, 1960. While it was not the first submarine launched nuclear missile, its use of solid-propellant propulsion was considered revolutionary, as it permitted a substantial reduction in the size of the missile. Not only was the Polaris substantially smaller and lighter than earlier ballistic missiles, it also benefited from a superior launch system, enabling the missile to be propelled to the surface from a fully submerged submarine. Prior to this, in order to launch a missile, submarines had to surface, placing them at risk of being detected. The Polaris was so successful, that it was later adopted by the British and became the pillar of its nuclear deterrent force during the 1970s and 80s. The umbilical cable was attached to a guidance and control system, providing a path for the exchange of electronic signals between the missile and the submarine before missile launch.