WWII German Wire Guided Air-to-Air Missile, the X-4

In summer 1943 the Germans started development of a wire guided liquid fueled standoff air-to-air missile. The missile’s purpose was to destroy allied bomber formations. By 1945 they were testing the X-4 missile. The missile was to be launched from a mothership, like the Me-262 jet. Although testing showed promise the program was canceled prior to any operational deployments. The missiles may drawback was the dangerous liquid fuel system. It also required the host pilot to fly his aircraft while scanning for escorts, and targeting the bombers with the rocket powered missile by way of a joystick mounted in the cockpit. Flight signals were sent to the missile’s control surfaces by insulated wires spooling out from the missile. A wire guided missile is not susceptible to jamming.