Derek Lyons wrote:

There can be attitude transients caused by hydrodynamic effects of the
passage through the water as well as the effects of breaking the
surface. ('Tail slap' as the missile exits is of particular concern.)
Polaris was acutely sensitive to this because of their need to perform
a roll maneuver immediately upon ignition.


I noticed when I went looking for Polaris launch photos that they seem
to exit the water at angles in quite a few cases.
The first Trident test at Cape Kennedy took off a quite an angle:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Im...rst_launch.jpg

In the early days they even tested a set of flow velocity sensors
mounted on the SSBN to attempt to predict wave action and the
calculate the best moment for launch!

They do tend to fly a steeper trajectory than is usual as well.
Partly to encourage seperation between birds (which are being salvoed
at short intervals) and partly as a safety measure to the get the bird
away from the boat as soon as possible.

I would have loved to have been there when the crew of sub saw film of
this for the first time:
http://hometown.aol.com/sdrcgeru/ima..._cartwheel.jpg :-)

Pat