V-1 Missile

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	Weapon: V-1 Missile Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: Germany Year Adopted: 1944 Caliber: Action: Short Range Ballistic Missile Overall Length (mm): 8000.0 Weight (kg): 2250.00 Effective Range (m): 250

The V-1 missile, also known as the "Buzz Bomb" or "Doodlebug," was an early cruise missile developed by Nazi Germany during World War II. Designed by the German Luftwaffe's Research and Development Division, the V-1 was powered by a pulsejet engine and carried an 850-kilogram warhead. It featured an aerodynamic design with simple guidance systems, making it one of the earliest examples of an unmanned aerial weapon. The rocket had a range of approximately 250 kilometers and was launched from ground-based ramps or aircraft.

Over 30,000 V-1 missiles were produced between 1944 and 1945, with thousands launched primarily against targets in England, Belgium, and northern France. London was the primary target, and the first V-1 attack occurred on June 13, 1944, just a week after the D-Day landings. While the V-1 caused significant damage and civilian casualties, its relatively slow speed and loud engine made it vulnerable to interception by Allied fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft guns, and barrage balloons.

The V-1 missile is notorious as a terror weapon due to its use against civilian populations and its psychological impact during the war. Though it had limited military effectiveness, it marked a critical step in the development of guided missile technology and paved the way for future innovations, including the more advanced V-2 rocket. Today, the V-1 is studied as a landmark in the history of modern warfare and is displayed in various museums as a reminder of the destructive potential of unmanned weapons.