Herbert A. Wagner

Herbert Alois Wagner
Born	Template:Birth date Austria
Died	May 28, 1982(1982-05-28) (aged 82)
Occupation(s)	Aerodynamicist, aerospace engineer
Known for	Wagner's function, development of Henschel Hs 293 glide bomb

Herbert Alois Wagner (22 May 1900 – 28 May 1982) was an Austrian aerodynamicist recognized for his pioneering contributions to the study of aerodynamics, aircraft structural design, and guided missile technology. He is particularly noted for formulating Wagner's function, which characterizes the behavior of unsteady lift on wings, as well as for his role in developing the Henschel Hs 293 glide bomb.

Early life

Between 1914 and 1917, Wagner was enrolled at the Austrian Naval Academy and served as an Ensign in the Austrian Navy during the First World War. He survived when his vessel was torpedoed and sank. After the war, he resumed his education, obtaining a doctorate from Technische Hochschule Berlin (now Technische Universität Berlin) at the age of 23. His dissertation, titled "Origin of the dynamic lift of wings," addressed a key challenge in unsteady aerodynamics concerning the lift generated by wings subjected to sudden motion. This work led to what is now known as "Wagner's function."

In the mid-1920s, Wagner was employed by Rohrbach Metall-Flugzeugbau, where he contributed to innovative designs for flying boats. During this period, he also developed the Wagner beam, a technique for fabricating aircraft structural elements using sheet metal. After a brief academic appointment at Technische Universität Berlin, he returned to industry by joining Junkers Flugzeugwerke, where he collaborated with Hans von Ohain on aircraft and engine designs and contributed significantly to the early development of jet engine technology. Following a dispute with management, Wagner left Junkers and took up a position at Henschel Flugzeugwerke in Berlin.

World War II research

Wagner acted as a liaison for the computer innovator Konrad Zuse, facilitating communications regarding contracts Zuse received from the Reich Ministry of Aviation.

During his tenure at Henschel, Wagner initiated investigations into remotely operated aircraft. By July 1940, he commenced development of a prototype glide bomb intended to target lightly armored naval and merchant vessels. This project eventually led to the creation of the Hs 293 guided missile, which demonstrated notable operational success in late 1943 and early 1944. Among its achievements was the first recorded sinking of a ship by a remotely controlled weapon, exemplified by the destruction of HMS Egret on 27 August 1943. Additionally, the Hs 293 was responsible for sinking the transport vessel HMT Rohna, resulting in the loss of over 1,000 military personnel and crew.

Despite these successes, the Allies developed various electronic countermeasures, including jamming devices, that effectively neutralized the Hs 293 and similar radio-guided weapons. Coupled with growing Allied air dominance, these factors diminished the missile's strategic impact in the later stages of the conflict.

Wagner was also responsible for designing the Henschel Hs 117 Schmetterling, a surface-to-air guided missile.

Post-war activities

Following World War II, Wagner became the first among numerous German scientists recruited to the United States under Operation Paperclip. He arrived in Frederick, Maryland on 18 May 1945, bringing with him seven sizable containers filled with blueprints and technical documents. Subsequently, Wagner and his team were assigned to the Special Devices Center, a research facility overseen by the U.S. Navy located at Castle Gould and Hempstead House—the former estate of Daniel and Florence Guggenheim in Sands Point, Long Island. There, he contributed to efforts aimed at deploying glide bombs against Japan.

Later, Wagner transferred to the Naval Air Missile Test Center at Point Mugu, California, which served as the primary hub for U.S. Navy guided missile research. His work focused on developing control systems for advanced missiles, some of which continue to be utilized today in upgraded versions. An FBI counterintelligence report—previously classified—characterizes Wagner as:

An accomplished German scientist with commendable character who shows no political inclinations... No indications of allegiance to either Nazi or Communist ideologies... Briefly attended an SS training course for four weeks but voluntarily withdrew... Primarily motivated by scientific pursuits without adherence to any political belief... Since his wife's passing, has increased alcohol consumption but is not an alcoholic.

After concluding his government work in the U.S., Wagner founded his own technical consulting enterprise named HA Wagner Company. In 1957, he sold this firm to Curtiss-Wright and returned to Germany to accept a professorship in Technical Mechanics and Space Technology at RWTH Aachen University. Throughout this period, he maintained advisory roles with multiple American defense contractors. In recognition of his significant contributions to aerospace engineering, Wagner received the Ludwig-Prandtl-Ring from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics) in 1980. He passed away at age 82 on 28 May 1982.

See also

• Reduced frequency
• Timeline of jet power