page_title: Project Kingfisher
section_title: Kingfisher E
hierarchical_section_title: Project Kingfisher / Variants / Kingfisher E
caption_attribution_description: XSUM-N-2 "Grebe" missile, labeled as a target drone as disinformation, on a test-launching platform.
context_page_description: Project Kingfisher was a weapons-development program initiated by the United States Navy during the latter part of World War II. Intended to provide aircraft and surface ships with the ability to deliver torpedoes to targets from outside the range of defensive armament, six different missile concepts were developed; four were selected for full development programs, but only one reached operational service.
context_section_description: The only surface-launched variant of the Kingfisher family, Kingfisher E evolved into the SUM-N-2 Grebe anti-submarine missile, intended to deliver a Mark 41 torpedo at ranges of up to 5,000 yards (2.8 mi; 4.6 km) from the launching ship. Construction of Grebe was contracted to the Goodyear Aircraft Company; it was powered by a solid-propellant rocket in its base version, while pulsejet-powered variants were planned to extend the range of the weapon to 40,000 yards (23 mi; 37 km). Flight testing of the missile began in 1950, but it was soon cancelled as sonar systems of the time were incapable of detecting targets at sufficient range to utilize the full capabilities of the missile, rendering it impractical for operational use.
caption: Grebe with wings folded
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