Book Description

Magnificent Mavericks tells the story of the creative military/civilian team who worked at the Naval Ordnance Test Station and its Pasadena Annex from 1948 to 1958. Projects developed there include Sidewinder, the world's first successful heat-homing guided missile; Polaris, for which NOTS provided conceptual studies as well as major T&E programs; the 6.5-Inch Antitank Aircraft Rocket (Ram), developed and delivered in a month to meet urgent needs in Korea; the 2.75-Inch Folding-Fin Aircraft Rocket (Mighty Mouse) introduced in Korea and used in every conflict since then; and many other products developed at NOTS to meet the needs of the fleet. Also addressed are propellant technology and other significant innovations in applied research. Improvements to the station's unexcelled facilities R&D laboratories and T&E tracks and ranges are described, as is the community of China Lake, which played an important role in employee morale and productivity.