The ORDCIT (US Army's Ordnance and California Institute of Technology) program to develop a ballistic missile called Corporal was a progressive one.

The original design was called XF30L20,000 which envisioned a 30 in (760 mm) diameter liquid fueled missile with a 20,000 lbf (89 kN) thrust engine and was ventured in the summer of 1944.

The WAC Corporal sounding rocket was developed in 1945, providing experience with liquid fueled ballistic rocketry.

[2] The original time schedule was excessively optimistic especially as it envisioned the development of a turbo pump for propellants.

Ten channels of telemetry were envisioned to be displayed on graphic recorders to provide data to the missile operators.

[6] The Corporal E was designed by JPL, with the first 4 airframes built by Douglas Aircraft Company, rocket motors and telemetry equipment were produced by JPL, Sperry Gyroscope provided the autopilot, Army Ordnance the Doppler and Position transponder, and the Signal Corps the radar tracking beacon.

[9] Improving the Corporal E involved drastic changes in the rocket motor, airframe, guide vanes and control system.

[12] Considerable changes in the program were being promoted in Washington with Ordnance Department pushing for the development of a guided missile as a weapon.

Corporal was further along than he competing GE Hermes program and was thus selected to develop a weapon, not just an experimental vehicle.

[16] Corporal E number 7 introduced the quick shutoff valve to increase accuracy and the 19 cell air tank.