Artillery in Canada: MGM-18 Lacrosse short-ranged tactical ballistic missile

MGM-18 Lacrosse missile

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4234659)

US Army MGM-18 Lacrosse Missile in Cold Weather Trials at Churchill, Manitoba.

The MGM-18 Lacrosse was a short-ranged tactical ballistic weapon intended for close support of ground troops.  Its first flight test was in 1954 and was deployed by the US Army beginning in 1959, despite being still in the development stage.  The program's many technical hurdles proved too difficult to overcome and the missile was withdrawn from field service by 1964.

The Lacrosse is mounted on an XM398 launcher that was based on the American REO Studebaker M35 2-½-ton truck.  The Lacrosse was trialed in Canada, but Canadians used the Honest John launch truck.  This photo is of American equipment being tested in Churchill so the truck is American and the paper on the door is likely covering up the US Army white star.  There are none in Canada and the Canadian Army did not put it in service.

   (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4234656)

Lacrosse Missile in Cold Weather Trials at Churchill, Manitoba.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4234657)

Lacrosse Missile in cold weather trials, Churchill, Manitoba.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4234658)

Lacrosse Missile in Cold Weather Trials at Churchill, Manitoba.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4234660)

Lacrosse Missile in Cold Weather Trials at Churchill, Manitoba.

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