Hercules Missile on launcher
And off it goes
HISTORY:
Development of the Nike Hercules took place in the early 1950s and
deployment commenced in 1958. A total of 145 missile batteries were
deployed. Most of which were converted Nike Ajax units.
Deactivation of Nike Hercules batteries, in the United States,
commenced in the early 1970s and was completed by 1975, with the
exception of batteries remaining in Alaska and Florida. These
batteries were deactivated in the late 1970s. Foreign countries,
mainly NATO allies, deployed this system as well.
AIR DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES
During the Cold War there were many aspects to the air defense of
Canada and the United States. Most of the public did not know of
these sites or duties, but they were a 24/7 operation and a vital
part of the air defense network. Nike Missile Systems were the last
line of defense and were placed around strategic targets or large
cities, which had strategic value.
MS-70 Dates of operation: October 1959 - June 1971
Technical Specification:
Length: 41 ft. with booster
Diameter: 31.5 inches
Wingspan: 6 ft. 2 in.
Weight: 10,710 pounds with booster
Booster Fuel: Solid propellant
Sustainer Motor: Solid propellant
Range: Over 75 miles
Speed: Mach 3.65 (2707 mph)
Maximum Altitude: 100,000 ft. *
Warheads:
High Explosive: T45 - 625 pound fragmentation
Nuclear: Initial deployment was with the W-7 warhead in two
variants; X1 and X2 with yields of 2 - 40 Kiloton (Kt). The W-7 was
soon to be replaced with the W-31.
W31 deployed in 3 yields, 2kt (M-97), 20kt (M-22), 40kt
(M-23)
W31 was a boosted fission weapon
The cache is not far from a location like this
The three silos are still in place, just missing the
missiles
Nike Missile Locations Minnesota
| State |
Site Name |
Missile Type |
Defense Area |
Site Loc |
Service Dates |
Control site condition/owner |
Launch Site condition/owner |
| MN |
MS-90 |
Nike 3D/18H/12L-U |
Minneapolis - Saint Paul |
Bethel/ Insanti |
1959 - Jun 1971 |
Insanti County Sheriff's Department |
Private ownership |
|
MS-40 |
Nike 3D/18H/12L-U |
Minneapolis - Saint Paul |
Farmington |
Oct 1959 - Jun 1971 |
USAR Center |
FDS |
|
MS-20 |
Nike 3D/18H/12L-U |
Minneapolis - Saint Paul |
Roberts |
Oct 1959 - Jun 1971 |
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation to Saint Croix County |
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation to Saint Croix County |
|
MS-70 |
Nike 3D/18H/12L-U |
Minneapolis - Saint Paul |
Saint Bonifacius |
Oct 1959 - Jun 1971 |
Private ownership |
FDS |
Nike Missile Type Key
Missile Storage: C=Ajax only, original design B=Ajax or
Hercules, some modifications were required for the elevator to
handle the Hercules launcher. D= Either, increased access room in
the magazine
Missile Launcher: A=Ajax AA=Double Ajax launchers AG=Above
Ground H=Hercules L=Launcher K=Unofficial designation for Alaskan
above ground launchers U=Universal launcher UA=1/2 Universal and
1/2 Ajax launchers UU=Double Universal launchers
Note: Launchers converted to Hercules are given in
paraenthesis, e.g. (8L-H)
This data is from the book "To Defend and Deter: The Legacy of
the United States Cold War Missile Program"
Nike Historical Society
website.
Can you find a missile (or the cache)???
CACHE ON!!!