EMW C2 Wasserfall W5

The Wasserfall was the first modern AA missile system in the history. The project under this name began in 1943. The target for the designers of Wasserfall was to made an antiaircraft missile, guided by ground radar. Later this guided system was changed to a radio remote by ground operator. The first launch was made on 29-2-1944 with a prototype of version W1. Later prototypes of version W5 were used . Total launched were 35 of which about 15 were not succesfull. Version W5 was designed as the final version, but in beginin of the year 1945 theyr started work on a smaller version; W10. This version was cheaper and spared strategic materials. About the use of Wasserfall against allied aircrafts is nothing known. First of the Wasserfall batteries, Rheinland A, was captured by U.S. in the Hartz. Some complete rockets survived the war and were used for tests in USA and Soviet Union.