The Enzian was conceived as a ground to air flak weapon. It's secondary purpose was that of an air-to-air weapon. Models E-1, E-2, and E-3 were the test and experimental airframes. All flight tests were carried out with the E-1. The E-4 was the production design using an improved rocket motor, designed by Dr. Conrad instead of the Walther biliquid used in the earlier designs. As the foregoing is the only major difference in the four models, they will be discussed as one.

   The E-4 is a flying wing design of striking similarity to the Me-163. Its total weight is 1,800 kg. which includes the weight, 320 kg of the four assisted take-off units. The warhead weight is 500 kg. The airframe is constructed of wood, having an over-all length and span of four meters. It attained its velocity of 300 m/sec with a main thrust unit delivering 2,000 kilograms initially decreasing to 1,000 kg. during the flight. Duration of power was 72 seconds, resulting in a vertical range of 16,000 meters and a horizontal range of 25,000 meters.

   The four assisted take off units deliver a combined thrust of 6,000 kg for four seconds, giving the missile an end speed of 24 m/sec at 3.6g acceleration from a launch ramp 6.8 meters in length. The assisted take-off units are jettisoned after 5 seconds.

   Although it was anticipated that the E-4 would be used as an air-to-air weapon with slight modification, principally reduced fuel load, all experimental testing had been done from ground to air. A standard 88mm gun carraige was adapted for use as a launching platform by the simple addition of two iron rails 6.8 meters long. A traverse of 360 degrees and a vertical firing arc from 0 to 85 degrees were obtained. Air launching of the device was routine; i.e., dropping free from underneath the parent aircraft flying in the direction of the target.

   The speed on leaving the launching rails is 24 m/sec; to avoid the possibility of stall no control is applied until the flying speed has reached approximately 55 m/sec. For practical purposes and elapsed time of 5 secondsis allowed bewtween the triggering of the launching mechanism and the first control signal. The Enzian, as were practically all German guided missiles, was directed to the target vicinity by radio control. When the target approach was within the range of the homing device, the latter took charge of the missiles final run in. Coincidence or line of sight navigation was used under favorable conditions; however, several methods were accepted for night or reduced visibility use.