RIM-85 was a short-lived project by the United States Navy to develop a surface-to-air missile for the defense of naval vessels. Developed during the late 1960s, the project was cancelled before the start of detailed design work.
ZRIM-85A | |
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Type | Surface-to-air missile |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
Used by | United States Navy |
Production history | |
Designed | 1968 |
During the 1960s, the United States Navy identified a requirement for a new type of surface-to-air missile, capable of defending ships against attack by enemy aircraft and missiles.[1] The resulting specification called for a medium-range missile, capable of being used in all weather conditions;[1][2] in addition to its air defense role, the missile was intended to possess a secondary capability in the surface-to-surface mission for use against enemy ships.[1][2]
In July 1968, the project was assigned the Mission Designation System designation ZRIM-85A,[1][3] the "Z" indicating a project in the planning stage;[4] however, the program was cancelled later that year, before any significant design work on the missile, or any development of hardware, had been conducted.[1]