Missile, Air-to-Air, Mighty Mouse, 2.75 Inch

The Mighty Mouse unguided air-to-air missile was usually fired in salvoes from U.S. Navy and Air Force jet fighters. The fins unfolded when the rocket left its firing tube or pod. A single hit by one of these small missiles could destroy an enemy bomber. The Navy Bureau of Ordnance began developing the missile in 1948. Used in the Korean and Vietnam wars, it became standard on many U.S. Navy and Air Force aircraft.Among the aircraft that carried them were the North American F-86D Sabre, Chance-Vought Cutlass, and Lockheed F-104C Starfighter. They were also used from helicopters like the UH-1 Iroquois, Huey Cobra, and Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk. This missile was donated to the Smithsonian in 1966 by the U.S. Navy.