Nike missile and launcher by danapommet
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Description
This is a Nike anti aircraft missile and launcher at the White Sands Missile Test Range, White Sands, New Mexico, USA. Project Nike was a US Army project, proposed in 1945 by Bell Labs, to develop a line-of-sight anti-aircraft missile system, capable of dealing with bombers flying at 500 mph (800 km/h) or more, at altitudes of up to 60,000 ft (20,000 m). The project delivered the United States' first operational anti-aircraft missile system during 1953, the Nike Ajax. Named Nike after the goddess of victory, from Greek mythology.
The Douglas-built missile was a two stage missile using a solid fuel booster stage and a liquid fueled second stage. The missile could reach a maximum speed of 1,000 mph (1,600 km/h) and had a range of 25 miles (40 km). As a last-line of defense from air attack, they were positioned to protect cities as well as military installations. 241 launch sites were built by 1962. Each site had a crew of 109 officers and men who ran the site continuously. All Nike sites in the continental United States were deactivated by April, 1974.
This model had two stages of 34 and 21 feet (10.36 and 6.41 meters) in length. They were 1 foot (0.3 meters) in diameter. The rocket weighed 2,460 pounds (1,116 KG) with speeds of 1,900 mph (3,000 km/h). They were effective up to 69,900 feet (21,300 meters). Later versions were larger and faster. Some info from Wikipedia. Photo taken Spring 1996 and scanned.
Thanks for stopping by, taking a look and for all your previous favs and comments.
They are very much appreciated.
Dana
Comments (28)
MrsRatbag
Yikes, Nikes! Scary stuff, it seems so odd to see this just sitting there in the desert. Wonder where it's aiming? Great shot!
kbrog
Excellent capture and info on this historic weapon! :)
eekdog Online Now!
cool shot, love these military displays.
bimm3d
wonderful info and photo!!
Richardphotos
excellent capture.Jock and myself was close but did not go there
mgtcs
Wonderful shot again Dana, marvelous image! *****
mickeyrony
A lot of money to protect all peoples from ??? But always so scary ((5++))
Faemike55
Cool capture, Dana great information
0rest4wicked
Sharp!
pakled
My Dad used to work on these, used to live out there (well, El Paso). Thanks for the memories...
alessimarco
~Very cool capture!~
whaleman
I think I prefer the cactus shot, LOL!
PSDuck
Great shot! I remember these guys...does that make me old? Or a historian?
SSoffia
Great capture of this deadly weapon!!!!!
mariogiannecchini
Excellent capture and info !
jayfar
This is a beautiful shot Dana and thanks for the interesting info.
durleybeachbum
A striking picture of a horrid object.
blinkings
Great shot, and more than likely aimed directly at the nearest Adidas factory!
neiwil
Now that's interesting....great photo and info.This get's the modelling finger itching :-) Thanks for this, I must delve deeper....
Rhanagaz
Historic weapon with has a certain beauty in its construction! The day when all missiles are deactivated we maybe get a better world, but not very likely, I think! Great capture, Dana! ;o)
KnightWolverine
Whoooooooooooooooosh!...Impressive Capture Dana!..
jendellas
Glad we don't see these on the walks, great pic!!!
flavia49
outstanding capture
sandra46
SPECTACULAR CAPTURE!
J5ive
Thats a Cool Capture!!
goodoleboy
OMG, that is really going way back into history with that killer missile, Dana. I've got some slide film shots I took at air shows of the Nike, going back several decades. Terrific clarity and general composition in this shot.
Ilona-Krijgsman
what a spectacular image this is
MagikUnicorn Online Now!
Great capture my friend