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Navaho
Display location: History Center
Type: Surface-to-surface guided missile
Designation: XSM-64
Payload: Conventional warhead
Agency: U.S. Air Force
Contractor: North American Aviation
Launch Complexes:
9, 10, skid strip
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Operations: 1955-1959
Related exhibits:
Considered the most advanced aircraft in its day, the Navaho was envisioned in 1947 as a pilotless bomber capable of carrying a weapons payload a distance of 5,500 miles. The first version of the Navaho, intended for test flights only, was called the Navaho X-10 and resembled a traditional aircraft. Navaho X-10 vehicles were remote controlled and took off from a runway just like an airplane. After completing a test flight, the Navaho X-10 could return for a landing utilizing retractable landing gear.
Although Navaho X-10 test flights began at Edwards Air Force Base, California, a total of 15 Navaho X-10 missiles were launched from the Cape Canaveral Skid Strip between 19 August 1955 and 26 January 1959. Some of the Navaho X-10 vehicles were used for aerodynamic flight tests while some acted as target drones during Bomarc missile tests. A total of seven Navaho XSM-64 missiles were launched from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 9/10 between 6 November 1956 and 18 November 1958. Some of these launches took place after the Navaho program was canceled in July 1957 due to advancements in ballistic missile technology.
The
cruise missile portion of the Navaho was donated to the museum by
the Brevard County School Board on 18 August 1964. Records indicate
that the missile was originally displayed in front of the Clearlake
Junior High School administrative offices in Cocoa, Florida, and was
mounted horizontally without a booster or engines.
The booster section of the Navaho was later donated by the Florida Power and Light Company in 1967 and was then erected (left) as one complete Navaho XSM-64 soon after in the museum rocket garden.
The Navaho remained on display (right) in the museum rocket garden until it was removed for restoration in September 1966. The restoration took place in Hangar C at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station by corrosion specialist Keith Davidson of AirCorr Inc., Melbourne, Florida. With restoration complete, the Navaho was moved to its present location in March 1999. See photographs of the restoration project.