Development began in 1954 as an improved version of the MGM-1 Matador. Like the Matador, the Mace was a tactical surface-launched missile designed to destroy ground targets. It was first designated TM-76 and later MGM-13. Compared to Matador, the Mace had a longer fuselage, shorter wings, greater range, and was heavier. Mace MGM-13A was launched from a translauncher and the MGM-13B was launched from an underground bunker. Both models used a solid rocket booster for initial acceleration and an Allison J33-A-41turbojet for cruise flight. The Goodyear Aircraft Corporation developed ATRAN in which the return from a radar scanning antenna was matched with a series of "maps" carried on a 35mm film strip onboard the missile. The ATRAN navigation section corrected the flight path if the missile deviated from the flight path as carried on the film map. In August 1952, Air Materiel Command initiated the mating of the Goodyear ATRAN with the MGM-1 Matador. This mating resulted in a production contract in June 1954. The ATRAN guidance system was difficult to jam and was not range-limited by line-of-sight as in the older Matador radar command and control system, but its range was restricted by the availability of radar maps. In time, it became possible to construct radar maps from topographic maps. The Mace was first launched in 1956 and the missile could reach Mach 0.7 to 0.85 over a 540-mile range at low level, and 1,285 miles at high altitude. Development of Mace "B" missiles began in 1954. The Mace "A" and Mace "B" were identical in all dimensions. The Mace "B" included a jam-proof inertial guidance system and had a flight range exceeding 1,300 miles. To enhance mobility, Martin designed the Mace's wings to fold for transport. USAF deployed the Mace "A" in West Germany in 1959 at Sembach Air Base, where it briefly served alongside the MGM-1 Matador before the latter was phased out of service in 1962. A total of 6 active missile squadrons were eventually equipped with the Mace "A" at Sembach Air Base and Hahn Air Base under the. In South Korea, the 58th Tactical Missile Group became combat-ready with 60 TM-61s in January 1959. It ceased operations in March 1962, a few months after the 498th Tactical Missile Group in December 1961 took up positions in semi-hardened sites on Okinawa. Mace "B" missiles began were first deployed to Okinawa in 1961 and remained operational in Europe and the Pacific. The two squadrons of TM-76B/MGM- 13C continued on active duty in USAFE until December 1969. After being taken offline, some missiles were used as target drones because their size and performance resembled manned aircraft.
Variants
Mace A - equipped with ATRAN terrain-matching radar navigation.
Mace A and B types have been deployed in Japan and former West-Germany
Japan, Okinawa island: 873d Tactical Missile Squadron kept 32 Mace missiles on constant alert in underground bunkers at 4 Okinawa launch sites assigned to Kadena Airbase and located at Bolo Point in Yomitan, Onna Point, White Beach and at Kin just north of Camp Hansen.
W-Germany, 38th Tac Msl Wing kept 90 missiles on alert at above and underground launcher sites assigned to Sembach Airbase ; to Hahn Airbase and to Bitburg Airbase
Survivors
Below is a list of locations which have a Mace missile in their collection or on display:
Belleview Park, Englewood, Colorado. Elevated outdoor display. AF Serial Number is unknown. Donated to the city by the Martin Company in the 1960s for use as playground equipment.
