The TM-61 was the Air Force's first modern mobile, short-range, surface-to-surface tactical missile. The Air Force officially characterized all of the early missiles as types of aircraft, so Matador, as a point-to-point delivery system (or "pilotless bomber"), was originally designated B-61. However, the tremendous differences in maintenance and operations between bomber aircraft and missiles led to Matador's being redesignated TM-61, for "tactical missile," but keeping the bomber mission design series number. Development began in 1946. The Matador was launched from a 40-ft-long trailer, and the rocket booster would be jettisoned after liftoff. The missile would continue on with its jet engine. The missile was controlled from the ground station. Once at its target, the missile would begin a terminal dive. The first Pilotless Bomb Squadron (Light) was organized at Patrick AFB, Fla., in October 1951 for testing the new weapon and to train launch crews. In March 1954, the first two operational Matador units were deployed to West Germany to bolster NATO forces. Two other units were sent to South Korea and Taiwan. The 1,000th missile was delivered in 1957, but phaseout of the Matador began in 1959 when it was replaced by the more advanced TM-76 Mace missile.

Contractors:	Glenn L. Martin Co.
Locations Built:	Middle River, Md.
Number Built: (USAF)	More than 1,000 (more than 1,000)
First Launch:	January 19, 1949
First Flight Model:	XB-61
First Flight Location:	Holloman AFB, N. M.
Models/Variants:	TM- 61A, B, C
Powerplant:	One Allison J33-A-37 turbojet of 5,200 lb thrust, plus one Aerojet solid fuel rocket booster of 57,000 lb thrust for zero-length launch
Wingspan:	27 ft 111/2 in.
Length:	39 ft 8 in.
Height:	9 ft 8 in.
Weight:	13,593 lb gross at launch
Warhead:	One 3,000-lb high-explosive conventional warhead or one W-5 nuclear warhead of approx 81 kilotons or one chemical or biological warhead
Cost:	$132,000
Max. Speed:	600 mph (supersonic during terminal dive)
Range:	690 mi.
Ceiling:	44,000 ft.