EA 1941
In the years 1930, an Artillery Technical Service team directed by Jean-Jacques
Barré had undertaken the study of liquid propellants rocket engines. This work
was stopped at the beginning of the war, but, since 1941, Barré resumed it in
clandestinity. It then dealt with the EA 1941 rocket (Self-propelled Vehicle 1941)
whose static tests were carried out in 1941-42 at the Larzac range. This 100 kg
rocket used a liquid oxygen and petrol engine delivering a thrust of approximately
10 kN. It had been designed to carry a 25 kg payload 100 km away. Only after the
release of Provence the EA 1941 rocket could be launched for the first time from
the La Renardière range, close to Toulon, March 15, 1945. A 60 km range was
reached with the 5th launch, July 6, 1945.
Eole
The LRBA (Laboratoire de Recherches Balistiques et Aeronautiques = Ballistics and
Aeronautical Researches Laboratory) was created in Vernon, May 17, 1946, by the
DEFA (Direction des Etudes et Fabrications d'Armes = Weapons Studies and
Manufactures Directorate). Jean-Jacques Barré there resumed its work on
propulsion and designed a rocket called EA 1946, initially devoted to improve
the knowledge in this field, but also to finalize a long range ballistic missile.
This rocket, also known as Eole, was derived from the EA 1941. It was to weigh
3,4 tons and to send a 275 kg payload 800 km away. Its liquid oxygen and oil
ether engine was to develop 100 kN thrust. The static tests began in February
1949 in Vernon and the flight tests, in November 1952 in Hammaguir. Two launches,
occurred on November 22 and 24, ended in failures. The Eole project was cancelled,
as well as the whole of LRBA work on liquid oxygen with profit of storable
propellants, easier to use for missile propulsion.
EA rockets launch log
Date | Site | Vehicle | Mission | Results |
---|---|---|---|---|
15 Mar 1945 | LRN | EA1941 #1 | Technology | F, in flight |
16 Mar 1945 | LRN | EA1941 #2 | Technology | F, on pad |
06 Jul 1945 | LRN | EA1941 #3 | Technology | |
06 Jul 1945 | LRN | EA1941 #4 | Technology | |
06 Jul 1945 | LRN | EA1941 #5 | Technology | S, 60 km range |
18 Jul 1945 | LRN | EA1941 #6 | Technology | F, on pad |
18 Jul 1945 | LRN | EA1941 #7 | Technology | F, on pad |
22 Nov 1952 | HMG | EA1946 #1 | Technology | F, in flight |
24 Nov 1952 | HMG | EA1946 #2 | Technology | F, in flight |