Nike Zeus
Missile · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
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.
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.
Related
- Family
- anti-ballistic, silo-launched
- Country
- USA
- Spacecraft
- Program 505
- Launch Sites
- White Sands, Point Mugu, White Sands LC38, Kwajalein, Kwajalein LC38
- Bibliography
- 2
Chronology
130 events
1960 August 10
Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.- First Tactical launch - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). First Nike Zeus flight..
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.- First launch of an Army Nike-Zeus from Kwajalein - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). K-1 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM. First launch of an Army Nike-Zeus from Kwajalein against an Atlas from Vandenberg AFB..
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.- K-2 Atlas Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). K-2 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..
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.- K-6 Atlas Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). K-6 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..
1962 December 12
12:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.- K-6 Salvo - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). K-6 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..
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.- K-7 Salvo - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). K-7 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..
1962 December 22
10:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.- K-7 Atlas Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). K-7 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..
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.- K-8 Atlas Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). K-8 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..
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.- K-10 Atlas Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). K-10 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..
1963 March 30
Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.- K-17 Titan Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). K-17 Nike-Zeus intercept of Titan I ICBM..
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.- K-21 Titan Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). K-21 Nike-Zeus intercept of Titan I ICBM..
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.- K-15 Atlas Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). K-15 Nike-Zeus intercept of Atlas ICBM..
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.- K-26 Titan Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). K-26 Nike-Zeus intercept of Titan I ICBM..
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.- K-24 Titan Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). K-24 Nike-Zeus intercept of Titan I ICBM..
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.- Simulated target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Final Nike Zeus flight..