Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the land-attack cruise missiles (lacm) category.
01 / Overview
Project Pluto
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1957–1964
Unit Price (current)
$53.8M↗ 977% inflation · 1961→2025
Original Price
$5.0M (1961)
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LAND-ATTACK CRUISE MISSILES (LACM) · EARLY COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
10
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$53.8M
Original: $5.0M (1961)
Inflation: +%977
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the land-attack cruise missiles (lacm) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General3MOD.3
- Missile TypeSupersonic Low Altitude Missile
- DesignerTheodore Charles (Ted) Merkle
- In ServiceNo
◈Guidance4MOD.4
▣Propulsion3MOD.3
- Propulsion Typenuclear ramjet
- Two-StageNo
- Fuel / Propellanthighly enriched uranium oxide
◇Performance5MOD.5
- Top Speed1,022 m/s
- Top Speed (Mach)3 Mach
- Cruise Altitude152 m
- Flight Profilelow altitude supersonic
- HypersonicNo
◆Warhead4MOD.4
- Warhead Typenuclear
- Warhead Weight22,679 kg
- Tandem HEAT ChargeNo
- Nuclear-CapableYes
▤Launch Platform4MOD.4
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Unit Cost5,000,000 USD
- Operators1
- Production Start1,957 year
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1957Production started
- 1964Production ended
69
years in service
7
years in production
0
countries operating
ⓘ 1 countries retired it.
05 / MASS Score
LAND-ATTACK CRUISE MISSILES (LACM) RANKING Land-Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
37LAND-ATTACK CRUISE MISSILES (LACM)1EARLY COLD WAR · LAND-ATTACK CRUISE MISSILES (LACM)1489UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS3PRICE · LAND-ATTACK CRUISE MISSILES (LACM)349PRICE · ALL WEAPONS59PERFORMANCE/PRICE · LAND-ATTACK CRUISE MISSILES (LACM)
ⓘ Rankings are within theLand-Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Launched from a ground-based platform, such as a vehicle or tripod, rather than an aircraft or other airborne system.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
Sea‑skimming is a low‑altitude flight profile in which a missile or projectile flies close to the sea surface to minimize radar detection and increase survivability.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources