The V-2, or Vengeance Weapon 2, was a liquid-propellant rocket developed at Peenemünde, Germany, between 1938 and 1942 under the technical direction of Wernher VON BRAUN. The rocket was part of a development series known as Aggregate, which stemmed from a research program by von Braun begun under the auspices of the German army at Kummersdorf in 1932. The V-2, the fourth in the Aggregate series, was thus also known as the A-4. Originally intended for use by the German army to attack battlefield rear areas beyond the range of conventional artillery, the V-2 was eventually used against targets in Britain and other countries.The V-2 stood over 14 m (46 ft) tall and had a diameter of 168 cm (66 in). At lift-off it weighed 12,873 kg (28,380 lb), including a 998 kg (2,201 lb) warhead containing 752 kg (1,658 lb) of high explosive. Propellants were liquid oxygen and a 75%-25% ethyl alcohol-water mixture. The lift-off thrust exceeded 245,000 newtons, or 25,000 kg (55,116 lb). Guidance was obtained by a three-axis gyropilot acting on steerable exhaust vanes and aerodynamic rudders. The V-2 reached a maximum velocity of about 1,585 m/sec (5,200 ft/sec) and had a range between 306 and 322 km (190 and 200 mi).
Although the first successful V-2 test launch occurred on Oct. 3, 1942, it was not until July 7, 1943, that Adolf Hitler authorized full-scale development of the rocket. Altogether more than 5,000 V-2s were built during the war, of which about 600 were used for test and training. More than 4,300 were launched between Sept. 6, 1944, and Mar. 27, 1945, against London and southeastern England, Antwerp, and other targets. Many exploded before reaching their targets or were misdirected. Much rocket technology after the war was based on the V-2.
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