Nike Hercules
Stage · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: via Andreas Parsch
American two stage surface-to-air missile, replaced Nike Ajax, operational with the US and allied armies. Rocket stages later used in sounding rockets. Vehicle consisting of 1 x Hercules Booster + 1 x TX-30
Development of an improved Nike anti-aircraft missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, began in June 1953. Western Electric and Douglas remained the prime contractors. The much larger missile was boosted by four Nike Ajax boosters strapped together. A solid-propellant second stage replaced the dangerous and troublesome liquid propellant stage of the Nike Ajax. Nike Hercules used the same guidance and ground components, so Nike Ajax missiles were replaced by Nike Hercules at the existing sites in 1958-1963. Nike Hercules were normally fitted with blast-fragmentation warhead, but some received the variable yield (2 kT-40 kT) W-31 nuclear warhead. Improved radars with better electronic countermeasures resistance were deployed to the sites beginning in June 1961. These had capability against not only high-altitude bombers, but also tactical rockets and a surface targets.
145 sites on US territory equipped with 25,000 Nike Hercules missiles were operated until they were phased out in 1967-1974. They remained in service in Europe until 1984, and in South Korea into the 21st Century.
Initial Operational Capability: 1958.
More at: Nike Hercules.
Subtopics
- Nike Hercules R&D 2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Hercules Booster + 1 x Ajax Cluster.
- Nike Hercules 1810 2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Hercules Booster + 1 x Ajax Cluster 1810.
- Nike J 2 stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Hercules Booster + 1 x TX-30.
- MIM-14A American surface-to-air missile. W31 Mod 2 warhead. Two different warhead sections were possible: M22 and M97, with yields of 1-20-40 kt.
- MIM-14B American surface-to-air missile.
- Anchorage Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Barksdale Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Bergstrom Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Boston Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Bridgeport Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Chicago-Gary Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Cincinnati-Dayton Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Cleveland Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Dallas-Fort Worth Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Detroit Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Dyess Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Ellsworth AFB Defense Area Four Nike Ajax batteries were operational around Ellsworth AFB 1957-1958; and one Nike Hercules 1958-1961.
- Fairbanks Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Fairchild Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Hanford Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Hartford Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Homestead-Miami Defense Area Controlled 41 Hawk batteries along the Gulf Coast providing air defense againt Cuba-launched attacks 1962-1979.
- Kansas City Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Key West Defense Area Controlled Hawk antiaircraft missile batteries, installed to defend the air approaches to Southern Florida against attacks from Cuba 1962-1979.
- Lincoln Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Loring AFB Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Los Angeles Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Milwaukee Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- New York Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Niagara/Buffalo Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Norfolk Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Oahu Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Offutt AFB Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Offutt Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Philadelphia Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Pittsburgh Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Providence Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Robbins Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Saint Louis Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- San Francisco Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Schilling Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Seattle Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Travis AFB Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Turner Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Walker Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Washington Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
- Washington-Baltimore Defense Area Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
Related
- Family
- surface-to-air, vehicle-launched
- Country
- USA
- Launch Sites
- White Sands, Fort Churchill, Fort Bliss MCG, Johnston Island, Fort Wainwright LCP, Elmendorf AFB LCS, White Sands LC32
- Agency
- Western Electric
Chronology
213 events
1955
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 January 13
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules 1810.1955 February 3
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules 1810.1955 March 11
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules 1810.1955 April 6
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules 1810.1955 June 15
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 July 29
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 August 16
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 August 19
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 September 2
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 September 12
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 October 26
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 November 2
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 November 16
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 November 23
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 December 1
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 December 7
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 December 14
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1955 December 14
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 January 12
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 January 19
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 January 31
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 February 9
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 February 10
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 February 24
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 February 29
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 May 31
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 June 6
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 June 22
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 June 29
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 July 25
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 July 25
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 August 1
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 August 1
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 August 16
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 September 10
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 September 26
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 September 26
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 October 3
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 October 11
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 October 31
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 November 7
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 December 14
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1956 December 19
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1957 March 13
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.- Test launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). First Nike Hercules test flight..
1957 April 25
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1957 May 7
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1957 October 11
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1957 Dec
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1957 Dec
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.1958
Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Nike Hercules. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules R&D.- Liquid stage 72/last - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). Final Nike Hercules test flight..
1958 April 11
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 April 28
Launch Site: Fort Bliss. Launch Complex: Fort Bliss MCG. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 May
Launch Site: Fort Bliss. Launch Complex: Fort Bliss MCG. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 May
Launch Site: Fort Bliss. Launch Complex: Fort Bliss MCG. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 May
Launch Site: Fort Bliss. Launch Complex: Fort Bliss MCG. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 May
Launch Site: Fort Bliss. Launch Complex: Fort Bliss MCG. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 May
Launch Site: Fort Bliss. Launch Complex: Fort Bliss MCG. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 Jun
Launch Site: Fort Bliss. Launch Complex: Fort Bliss MCG. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 Jun
Launch Site: Fort Bliss. Launch Complex: Fort Bliss MCG. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 Jun
Launch Site: Fort Bliss. Launch Complex: Fort Bliss MCG. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 Jun
Launch Site: Fort Bliss. Launch Complex: Fort Bliss MCG. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 July 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 July 14
Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 July 17
Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 July 24
Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 July 24
Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 July 29
Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 July 29
Launch Site: Eglin. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1958 Dec
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 January 30
20:40 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 February 3
20:25 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 February 7
Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 February 10
21:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 February 12
19:48 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 February 19
18:04 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 February 26
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 March 3
21:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 June 24
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC32. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 July 10
Launch Site: Fort Bliss. Launch Complex: Fort Bliss MCG. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 July 31
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 Dec
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 December 17
00:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Wainwright. Launch Complex: Fort Wainwright LCP. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 December 17
20:11 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Wainwright. Launch Complex: Fort Wainwright LCP. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1959 December 19
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC32. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1960 March 15
Launch Site: Fort Wainwright. Launch Complex: Fort Wainwright LCP. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1960 March 18
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC32. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1960 April 8
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC32. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1960 April 14
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1960 June 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1960 June 3
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1960 September 5
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC32. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1960 November 20
23:14 GMT - . Launch Site: Elmendorf AFB. Launch Complex: Elmendorf AFB LCS. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1960 November 29
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 January 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 February 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 February 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 February 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 February 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 March 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 March 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 March 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 March 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 March 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 March 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 March 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 April 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 April 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 April 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 April 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 April 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 April 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 April 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 April 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 May 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 May 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 May 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 June 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 August 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 August 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 September 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 September 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 September 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 October 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 November 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 November 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 December 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 December 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 December 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 December 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1961 December 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 January 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 February 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 March 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 May 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 June 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 August 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 August 1
Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules. FAILURE: Failure.1962 August 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 August 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 September 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 September 1
Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules. FAILURE: Failure.1962 September 1
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 November 4
07:15 GMT - . Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.1962 November 4
07:15 GMT - . Launch Site: Johnston Island. Launch Vehicle: Nike Hercules.- DOMINIC TIGHTROPE Nuclear test - .
Nation: USA.
Agency: USAF.
Apogee: 24 km (14 mi).
This was a DOD sponsored live test of the Nike Hercules air defense missile system. The low-kiloton range W-31 warhead detonated at 21 km altitude 3 km SSW of Johnston Atoll. This was the last U.S. atmospheric test. On Johnston Island an intense white flash was accompanied by a strong heat pulse. A yellow-orange disc formed, slowly changing to a purple toroid which faded from view after several minutes.