MGR-1 Honest John
Overview
MGR-1A Honest John
US Army M386 launch truck with MGR-1A Honest John artillery rocket.
Source: US Army (photographer unknown) -
© public domain
M31
Germany
Description
Introduction
The Honest John is an early Cold War era surface to surface missile of US origin. It was developed in the early 1950's as a nuclear-armed artillery rocket. Later on conventional and chemical warhead were introduced as well. The Honest John was replaced as a field artillery tactical missile by the more accurate and longer range MGM-52 Lance. Due to its simplicity the Honest John enjoyed a long service life.
Design
The Honest John is an unguided artillery rocket oversized ogive warhead section at the front and four large wings at the rear. It is launched by carefully aiming the launch rail at the correct direction and inclination. The Honest John is both fin and spin stabilized and follows a ballistic trajectory.
Firepower
The Honest John was armed with a W7 nuclear warhead with variable yield up to 20 kt. Later on the W31 nuclear warhead with preset 2/10/30 kt yield was used. A 680 kg unitary HE warhead and Sarin bomblet warhead were also available. The M-31 rocket has a 5.5 km miminum range and 24.8 km maximum range. Accuracy was considered poor compared to tube artillery. The improved M-50 rocket doubled the range and improved the CEP to 230 meters.
Mobility
The Honest John is transported on a truck based transporter, erector, launcher (TEL). A single rocket is carried on a long launch rail. Two types of truck mounted launchers were used, both based on the M139 5-ton truck. This provides the Honest John with a reasonable off road capability and good mobility on roads.
Protection
The Honest John is a softskin system. The only protection it has consists of its mobility and that it intended to be used in the rear area at standoff range.
Users
The main operator of the Honest John was the United States army. The Honest John was also operated by many US allies in Europe and Asia, in both nuclear and non-nuclear versions. In US service the Honest John was used until 1985. Non-nuclear models were used by various nations until the late 1990's.
Honest John rockets
MGR-1B Honest John
US Army MGR-1B Honest John rocket on exhibition.
Source: US Army (photographer unknown) -
© public domain
List of rocket types
Honest John launch vehicles
MGR-1A Honest John
M289 launch truck with MGR-1A rocket.
Source: US Army (photographer unknown) -
© public domain
List of launch vehicles
Media
MGR-1B Honest John
MGR-1B Honest John rocket on M386 TEL.
Source: US Army (photographer unknown)
Copyright: public domain
MGR-1B Honest John
MGR-1B Honest John rocket being launched.
Source: US Army (photographer unknown)
Copyright: public domain
MGR-1A Honest John
US Army MGR-1A Honest John on M386 TEL in the field.
Source: US Army (photographer unknown)
Copyright: public domain
MGR-1A Honest John
West German army MGR-1A Honest John on M386 TEL.
Source: US Army (photographer unknown)
Copyright: public domain
MGR-1B Honest John
South Korean army MGR-1B Honest John rocket and M386 TEL on parade.
Source: Baek, Jong-sik
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license