XSSM-N-8 Regulus cruise missile testbed test launch and recovery on July 15th 1953

The SSM-N-8A Regulus or the Regulus I was a United States Navy-developed ship-and-submarine-launched, nuclear-capable turbojet-powered second generation cruise missile, deployed from 1955 to 1964. Its development was an outgrowth of U.S. Navy tests conducted with the German V-1 missile at Naval Air Station Point Mugu in California. Its barrel-shaped fuselage resembled that of numerous fighter aircraft designs of the era, but without a cockpit. Test articles of the Regulus were equipped with landing gear and could take off and land like an airplane. When the missiles were deployed they were launched from a rail launcher, and equipped with a pair of Aerojet JATO bottles on the aft end of the fuselage. The footage shows the first launch of this model from the deck of the submarine USS Tunny (SS-282) as well as its successful landing accompanied by a McDonnell F2H-2P Banshee and two Lockheed T-33s.