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Nike Zeus

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Nike Zeus
Part of Spartan ABM Family
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.
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AKA: 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.

Historical Essay � Andreas Parsch

Western Electric-McDonnell-Douglas LIM-49 Nike Zeus-Spartan

In 1955 the U.S. Army began to study the possibility to develop a derivative of the MIM-14 Nike Hercules as an interceptor against hypersonic aircraft and ballistic missiles. This project was originally called Nike II, but renamed Nike Zeus on 15 November 1956. It is highly probable that Nike II was briefly known as either SAM-A-24 or SAM-A-26, but I can't confirm any of these designators. Because of a December 1956 DOD directive, which restricted the range of Army guided missiles to 320 km (200 miles), the Nike Zeus could not be designed as an exo-atmospheric intercept missile. Therefore, Western Electric started to develop an enhanced version of Nike Hercules, designed to intercept ballistic warheads within the earth's atmosphere. This project was named Nike Zeus A.

The Nike Zeus A missile was a relatively straight-forward development of the MIM-14 Nike Hercules. It was to use essentially the same command-guidance ground equipment as the Nike Hercules, and would be armed with a 20 kT nuclear warhead. The first successful flight of a full two-stage missile occurred in March 1960. However, in 1957 the Army missile range limitation had been rescinded (after the Sputnik launch), and the main development effort had already turned towards an exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile interceptor, called Nike Zeus B.

Several sources, including [1] and [2] listed below, say that the Nike Zeus A was designated as XLIM-49A in 1963, even if development had long been halted then. However, source [3] seems to indicate that XLIM-49A was actually allocated to the later Nike Zeus B (which see below). For a discussion of the confusing designations of the Nike Zeus family of missiles, see the last paragraphs at the end of this article.

The Nike Zeus B was a completely new missile, which shared only the guidance method and first stage booster with the Nike Zeus A. Because it was designed to intercept its targets in space, it did not need large manoeuvering fins. Instead the missile featured a special third stage with small control jets to manoeuver in space. The first three-stage flight of a Nike Zeus B occurred in September 1961. In July 1962, a Nike Zeus B succeeded in intercepting an Atlas ICBM nose cone. By the end of 1963, more than a dozen reentry vehicles had been successfully intercepted. Source [1] says that the designation XLIM-49B was allocated to the Nike Zeus B in 1963. However, as said above, it is also very possible (even likely!) that Nike Zeus B was actually the XLIM-49A.

In May 1963, a modified Nike Zeus B missile intercepted an orbiting satellite. From June 1963 until May 1966, a Nike Zeus B with a live nuclear warhead was always on alert at the Kwajalein launch complex for possible interception of Soviet satellites.

Because the Nike Zeus B system was planned to use mechanical radars, it was deemed too slow to be effective. It could also handle only few different targets at a time, and was inefficient at filtering out decoys. Therefore, the whole system was redesigned to use electronically scanned phased-array radars. Additionally, it was decided to complement the Nike Zeus B with an endo-atmospheric interceptor to defend against submarine-launched ballistic missiles (which followed a far shallower trajectory than ICBMs). This new system was named Nike-X.

The exo-atmospheric missile of the Nike-X system was to be a longer-range development of Nike Zeus B, called Extended Range Nike Zeus or Nike Zeus EX. In 1965, Western Electric received the prime contract for this missile. However, on 18 September 1967, the Nike-X was cancelled and replaced by a system called Sentinel, which was to be a much thinner (and therefore cheaper!) ABM defense shield. At the same time, Nike Zeus EX was renamed Spartan, and the prime contract was now shared between Western Electric and McDonnell-Douglas.

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. More at: 8463. Bibliography: 2.

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).
1960 October 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1960 December 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1960 December 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Guidance test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 Q1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 January 31 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi).
1961 April 26 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Zeus A? - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi).
1961 May 25 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 June 23 - . 23:40 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 Q3 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 Q3 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 Q3? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).
1961 Q3 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).
1961 July 26 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 August 31 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • New mainstage test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 September 6 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).
1961 September 9 - . 20:02 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
  • PM-1 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).
1961 September 15 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).
1961 September 21 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).
1961 Q4? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).
1961 October 7 - . 20:03 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
  • PM-2 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 3.00 km (1.80 mi).
1961 Nov 7? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).
1961 November 15 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 November 15 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 November 16 - . 20:37 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • PM-3 Dummy St 3 - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 November 21 - . 19:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • PM-4 Dummy St 3 - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 November 30 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • First suc 3-stage - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 Dec 4? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).
1961 Dec 8? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).
1961 December 14 - . 20:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • KMR-1 - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 December 14 - . 20:26 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • PM-5 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1961 December 14 - . 21:00 GMT - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Hercules intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).
1962 Q1? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1962 - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • PM-6 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1962 January 18 - . Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1962 January 25 - . 22:02 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • PM-7 Sim target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1962 February 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • 3 stage control test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1962 February 7 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1962 February 12 - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
  • PM-8 Dummy St 3? - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1962 February 23 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1962 March 5 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • KMR-2 Sim target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1962 March 9 - . 00:16 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
  • PM-9 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1962 March 13 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Simulated target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1962 March 13 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Simulated target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1962 March 28 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Hercules intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).
1962 Q2? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1962 Q2? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1962 April 5 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Simulated target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1962 April 12 - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • PM-10? 3-stage test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1962 April 19 - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
  • PM-11? Sim target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1962 April 27 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1962 April 30 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Simulated target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1962 May 9 - . 22:08 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
  • PM-12 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1962 May 12? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1962 May 26 - . 18:04 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • PM-13 Altitude test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
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). 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.
  • Requal test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
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).
1962 July 31 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1962 August 25 - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
  • PM-14 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1962 August 28 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1962 September 27 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Simulated target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1962 October 24 - . 19:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
  • PM-15 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1962 November 8 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1962 November 9 - . 03:12 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • PM-16? sim target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1962 November 28 - . 23:25 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • PM-17? St3 guidance - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1962 November 29 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Simulated target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1962 December 8 - . 21:20 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • ZM-18 - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
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).
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).
1962 December 19 - . 21:51 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Mugu. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • PM-19/Eniwetok - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
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).
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).
1963? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1963? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1963 February 6 - . Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Rail launch test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
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).
1963 February 20 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
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).
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).
1963 Q2? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi).
1963 Q2? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1963 Q2? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi).
1963 Q2? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1963 Q2? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
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).
1963 April 18 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1963 April 24 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1963 May 10 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).
1963 May 31 - . Launch Site: White Sands. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1963 June 5 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
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).
1963 July 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1963 July 3 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1963 July 3 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • K-23 Atlas Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1963 July 26 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nike X R&D; test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1963 August 8 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
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).
1963 August 24 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • K-28 Atlas Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1963 September 20 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1963 October 8 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1963 Oct 11? - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1963 October 23 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1963 November 1 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Test mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1963 November 12 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
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).
1963 November 20 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1963 November 27 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1963 December 11 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nike X R&D;, last WS test - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).
1964 Feb? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 Feb 18? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 Mar? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 Mar? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 Apr? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 May? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 May? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 May? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 Jun? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 Jun? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 Jun? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 July 9 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Sim Target Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 July 9 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Sim Target Intercept - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi).
1964 Q4? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 Q4? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1964 December 9 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands LC38. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Special Comms Round - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1965? - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1965 January 30 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Sim SLBM Target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
1965 January 30 - . Launch Site: Kwajalein. LV Family: Spartan ABM. Launch Vehicle: Nike Zeus.
  • Sim SLBM Target - . Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Apogee: 80 km (49 mi).
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).
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).
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