2-839-642 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Lark was an early U.S. Navy surface-to-air, liquid-propellant, rocket-propelled missile built by the Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corporation, and was usually launched from the decks of ships with the help of solid propellant boosters. It carried a 100-pound warhead and had a range of about 38 miles. The design of the Lark began in 1944, but it was not developed in time for use in World War II. It was used extensively from 1946-1950 as a test missile, providing valuable experience to U.S. military personnel in the handling and deployment of missiles. Some flights were made at sea. The Lark was also the first U.S. surface-to-air missile ever to intercept a moving air target. This object was donated to the Smithsonian in 1971 by the U.S. Navy.