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Nike Zeus
Part of Spartan ABM
Nike Zeus
Nike Zeus
Credit: © Mark Wade
American anti-ballistic missile. First anti-ballistic missile tested by US. Prototypes were deployed operationally from the mid-Pacific test base as nuclear-tipped ASAT missiles. Cancelled 1966; replaced by the Spartan missile.

AKA: LIM-49;Nike-Zeus;TX-238;XLIM-49A. Status: Retired 1966. First Launch: 1960-08-10. Last Launch: 1965-03-01. Number: 130 . Thrust: 2,000.00 kN (449,600 lbf). Gross mass: 9,070 kg (19,990 lb). Height: 14.33 m (47.01 ft). Diameter: 1.52 m (4.98 ft). Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

In 1955 the US Army began studying an improved Nike Hercules anti-aircraft missile, equipped with a nuclear warhead and capable of intercepting projected Soviet supersonic bombers and ballistic missiles. A December 1956 directive restricted Army missiles to 200 miles range, so the anti-ICBM capability was deferred. The resulting Nike Zeus A was a development of the Nike Hercules. But after Sputnik the range limitation was lifted, and development of the all-new Nike Zeus B began in 1958.

First flight of a two-stage version of the missile was in March 1960, and the all-up three-stage version was tested in September 1961. In July 1962 the first successful intercept of an Atlas ICBM warhead was accomplished, followed by an anti-satellite test in May 1963. Between June 1963 and May 1966, a Nike Zeus B with a nuclear warhead was on alert at the Kwajalein launch complex for use against Soviet satellites.

Although the missile was ready, the tracking and guidance electronic were not. Defending against a mass Soviet ICBM attack required a system that could track and guide missiles toward many targets simultaneously. For this, new electronically scanned phased-array radars had to be developed. It was also deemed necessary to develop a high-acceleration complementary missile for last ditch intercept of Soviet warheads that Nike Zeus failed to stop in space (Nike-X).

Through the 1960's the system was the subject of controversy and continuously-changing development and deployment plans. The missiles evolved into the Spartan and Sprint of the Safeguard system. This was reduced to a single site under arms limitation agreements and deployed for only five months in 1975-1976.

Development Cost $: 1,398.000 million. Recurring Price $: 7.281 million in 1965 dollars. Maximum range: 320 km (190 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard warhead: W71. Warhead yield: 5,000 KT. Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Initial Operational Capability: 1966. Total Production Built: 192.


More at: Nike Zeus.

Family: anti-ballistic, silo-launched. Country: USA. Spacecraft: Program 505. Launch Sites: White Sands, Point Mugu, White Sands LC38, Kwajalein, Kwajalein LC38. Stages: TX-238, TX-135. Agency: Western Electric/McDonnell Douglas . Bibliography: 2.

1960 August 10 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1960 October 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1960 December 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1960 December 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 Q1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 January 31 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 April 26 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 May 25 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 June 23 - . 23:40 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 Q3? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 Q3 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 Q3 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 Q3 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 July 26 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 August 31 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 September 6 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 September 9 - . 20:02 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1961 September 15 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 September 21 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 Q4? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 October 7 - . 20:03 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1961 Nov 7? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 November 15 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 November 15 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 November 16 - . 20:37 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 November 21 - . 19:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 November 30 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 Dec 4? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 Dec 8? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 December 14 - . 20:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 December 14 - . 20:26 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1961 December 14 - . 21:00 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 Q1? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 January 18 - . Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 January 25 - . 22:02 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 February 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 February 7 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 February 12 - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1962 February 23 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 March 5 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 March 9 - . 00:16 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1962 March 13 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 March 13 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 March 28 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 Q2? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 Q2? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 April 5 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 April 12 - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 April 19 - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1962 April 27 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 April 30 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 May 9 - . 22:08 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1962 May 12? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 May 26 - . 18:04 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 June 26 - . 11:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1962 July 16 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 July 19 - . 11:35 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 July 31 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 August 25 - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1962 August 28 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 September 27 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 October 24 - . 19:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1962 November 8 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 November 9 - . 03:12 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 November 28 - . 23:25 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 November 29 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 December 8 - . 21:20 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 December 12 - . 12:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 December 12 - . 12:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1962 December 19 - . 21:51 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1962 December 22 - . 10:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1962 December 22 - . 10:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 February 6 - . Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 February 13 - . 12:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 February 20 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 February 28 - . 09:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 March 30 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 Q2? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 Q2? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 Q2? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 Q2? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 Q2? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 April 13 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 April 18 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 April 24 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 May 10 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
1963 May 31 - . Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 June 5 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 June 12 - . 09:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 July 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 July 3 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 July 3 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 July 26 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 August 8 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 August 15 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 August 24 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 September 20 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 October 8 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 Oct 11? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 October 23 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 November 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 November 12 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 November 14 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 November 20 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 November 27 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1963 December 11 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 Feb? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 Feb 18? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 Mar? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 Mar? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 Apr? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 May? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 May? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 May? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 Jun? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 Jun? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 Jun? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 July 9 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 July 9 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 Q4? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 Q4? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1964 December 9 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1965? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1965 January 30 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1965 January 30 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1965 March 1 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
1965 March 1 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.

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