Nike Hercules

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Nike Hercules
Credit - via Andreas Parsch

Surface-to-air missile. IOC: 1958. Country: USA. Status: Active. Department of Defence Designation: MIM-14. Popular Name: Nike Hercules. Alternate Designation: SAM-A-25.

Two stage vehicle consisting of 1 x Hercules Booster + 1 x TX-30

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Western Electric SAM-A-25/M6/MIM-14 Nike Hercules

The Nike Hercules was the only nuclear-armed surface-to-air weapon, which was operational with the U.S. Army. Development of an improved Nike missile began in 1952, with the primary goal to develop a missile with a significantly higher performance than MIM-3 Nike Ajax (then known simply as Nike), which could still be used with the existing Nike ground equipment. After it had been shown that the Nike Ajax could not be equipped with then existing nuclear warheads, nuclear armament became another goal for the new missile. The SAM-A-25 Nike B program was formally established in June 1953. As with Nike Ajax, Western Electric was prime contractor, and Douglas was responsible for the missile airframe.

The Nike B (renamed Nike Hercules on 15 December 1956) used many components of the Nike I (Nike Ajax). The booster consisted of four Nike Ajax boosters, and the original design used 4 of Ajax' liquid-fuel rockets as sustainer propulsion. However, the first flight tests with the liquid-fuel sustainer in 1955 proved very troublesome, and a solid-fueled sustainer rocket was eventually used. The first successful interception of a drone target occurred in 1956, and in 1957 the new solid-fuel sustainer flew for the first time. Nike Hercules used the same command guidance as the MIM-3 Nike Ajax, with essentially the same ground components.

The first production Nike Hercules missiles were delivered in 1958, and quickly replaced the Ajax on many Nike sites. By then, the Nike Hercules had been designated as Guided Missile, Air Defense M6. The M6 could be equipped with either an M17 (a.k.a. T45) blast-fragmentation warhead, or a W-31 nuclear fission warhead with yield selectable as 2 kT or 40 kT. The missile performance was such that even very high-flying bombers could not escpe the Nike Hercules. Capability against low-level targets remained rather limited, however.

As the Nike Hercules began replacing the older Nike Ajax, work was underway to improve the acquisition and tracking radar capabilities to fully exploit the missile's greater performance. The major improvement in what was called the Improved Hercules system was the new L-band acquisition radar, called HIPAR (High-Power Acquisition Radar). The TTR (Target Tracking Radar) and TRR (Target Ranging Radar) were also improved, having better ECM resistance. The missiles of the improved Improved Hercules system were designated as M6A1. In June 1960, an Improved Hercules achieved the world's first successful interception of a ballistic guided missile, when a MGM-5 Corporal SRBM was shot down. The new radars were also far more compact than the original ones, which made moving a Nike site a least somewhat practical for the first time. Lastly, Improved Hercules introduced a viable surface-to-surface capability to the Nike system. The first Improved Hercules systems were installed at Nike sites in June 1961.

In 1963, the M6 and M6A1 missiles were redesignated as MIM-14A and MIM-14B, respectively. The MIM-14C (introduced in 1972) was a modified MIM-14B with an improved missile guidance section for higher manoeuverability and better ECM resistance.

All in all, the U.S. Army established 145 Nike Hercules sites over the years. Production of the nuclear-armed missiles ended in 1964, and gradual phase-out of the MIM-14 began in the late 1960's. The Army originally planned to replace the Nike with the new MIM-104 Patriot missile, but this plan was not implemented in the USA. Therefore, after the last active Nike Hercules sites in the continental U.S. had been deactivated in 1974, there are no long-range air-defense missiles fielded in the U.S.. In Europe, the U.S. Army retired its last MIM-14 units in 1984, when the MIM-104 Patriot was introduced.

In total, more than 25000 Nike Hercules missiles of all wersions were produced, most being of the MIM-14B variant.

Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for MIM-14B:

Length (w/o booster)	8.18 m (26 ft 10 in); booster: 4.34 m (14 ft 3 in)
Wingspan	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in); booster: 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in)
Diameter	0.53 m (21 in); booster: 0.80 m (31.5 in)
Weight (w/o booster)	2505 kg (5530 lb); booster: 2345 kg (5180 lb)
Speed	Mach 3.65
Ceiling	45700 m (150000 ft)
Range	140 km (88 miles)
Propulsion	Booster: Hercules M42 solid-fueled rocket cluster (4x M5E1 Nike boosters); 978 kN (220000 lb) total Sustainer: Thiokol M30 solid-fueled rocket; 44.4 kN (10000 lb)
Warhead	M17 blast-fragmentation or W-31 nuclear (2 kT, 40 kT)

Main Sources

[1] James N. Gibson: "Nuclear Weapons of the United States", Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 1996
[2] Bill Gunston: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rockets and Missiles", Salamander Books Ltd, 1979
[3] Redstone Arsenal Historical Information Website

Much additional information and lots of tidbits can be found at Ed Thelen's Nike Missile Web Site.

Manufacturer: Western Electric. Launches: 111. Failures: 2. Success Rate: 98.20%. First Launch Date: 1955-01-13. Last Launch Date: 1967-08-01. Launch data is: continuing. Apogee: 45 km (27 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 775.000 kN (174,226 lbf). Total Mass: 4,900 kg (10,800 lb). Core Diameter: 1.06 m (3.47 ft). Total Length: 11.90 m (39.00 ft).

Stage1: 1 x Nike Hercules-1. Gross Mass: 2,400 kg (5,200 lb). Motor: 4 x XM-42. Thrust (vac): 772.000 kN (173,552 lbf). Burn time: 3.40 sec. Length: 4.30 m (14.10 ft). Diameter: 1.06 m (3.47 ft). Propellants: Solid.

Stage2: 1 x Draco-2. Gross Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Motor: 1 x TX-30. Thrust (vac): 44.500 kN (10,004 lbf). Burn time: 29 sec. Length: 5.40 m (17.70 ft). Diameter: 0.79 m (2.59 ft). Propellants: Solid.

Version:

MIM-14A. IOC: 1958. Department of Defence Designation: MIM-14A. Popular Name: Nike Hercules. Alternate Designation: SAM-A-25.

W31 Mod 2 warhead. Two different warhead sections were possible: M22 and M97, with yields of 1-20-40 kt.

Liftoff Thrust: 775.000 kN (174,226 lbf). Total Mass: 4,530 kg (9,980 lb). Core Diameter: 0.79 m (2.59 ft). Total Length: 12.50 m (41.00 ft). Span: 2.29 m (7.51 ft). Standard warhead mass: 510 kg (1,120 lb). Maximum range: 139 km (86 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard warhead: W31. Standard warhead yield: 40 KT. Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Cruise Propulsion: Storable liquid rocket. Guidance: Command Link. Maximum speed: 4,190 kph (2,600 mph). Ceiling: 45,700 m (149,900 ft). Floor: 600 m (1,960 ft). Surveillance Radar: FP-37. Tracking Radar: FP-36. Development Cost $: 148.700 million. in: 1964 average dollars. Recurring Price $: 0.195 million. Total Number Built: 9302. Total Development Built: 302. Total Production Built: 9000. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 0.055 million. in: 1964 unit dollars. Version:

MIM-14B. Department of Defence Designation: MIM-14B.

Total Mass: 4,500 kg (9,900 lb). Core Diameter: 0.80 m (2.62 ft). Total Length: 12.50 m (41.00 ft). Span: 2.12 m (6.95 ft). Maximum range: 376 km (233 mi). Guidance: CC. Maximum speed: 2,820 kph (1,750 mph). Version:

Korean modification.

South Korea displayed a modification of the Nike Hercules with a new monolithic single-engine solid propellant stage of South Korean manufacture. The modification was believed to also have guidance changes allowing it to serve as a surface-to-surface missile.

Total Mass: 4,500 kg (9,900 lb). Core Diameter: 0.79 m (2.59 ft). Total Length: 12.50 m (41.00 ft). Span: 2.30 m (7.50 ft). Standard warhead mass: 500 kg (1,100 lb). Maximum range: 400 km (240 mi).

Nike Hercules Chronology

1955 January 13 - White Sands -. Test launch Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1956 October 31 - White Sands -. Test launch Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1957 March 13 - White Sands -. Test launch Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1959 January 30 - 20:40 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Cold weather test Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1959 February 3 - 20:25 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Cold weather test Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1959 February 7 - Fort Churchill -. Cold weather test Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1959 February 10 - 21:30 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Cold weather test Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1959 February 12 - 19:48 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Cold weather test Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1959 February 19 - 18:04 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Cold weather test Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1959 March 3 - 21:45 GMT - Fort Churchill -. Cold weather test Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1960 June 3 - White Sands -. Test launch Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

1961 January 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 February 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 March 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 April 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 May 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 June 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 August 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 September 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 October 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 November 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 December 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 January 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 February 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 March 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 May 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 June 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 August 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 August 1 - Johnston Island -. FAILURE: Failure. Certification Agency: USAF. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi).

1962 September 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 September 1 - Johnston Island -. FAILURE: Failure. Certification Agency: USAF. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi).

1962 November 4 - 07:15 GMT - Johnston Island -. DOMINIC TIGHTROPE Agency: USAF. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi).

1962 November 4 - 07:15 GMT - Johnston Island -. DOMINIC TIGHTROPE Nuclear test 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.

1963 January 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1963 February 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1963 March 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1963 October 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1963 November 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 October 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 November 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1965 February 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1965 March 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1965 April 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1965 May 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1965 June 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1965 July 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1965 October 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1965 November 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1965 December 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1966 January 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1966 February 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1966 April 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1966 May 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1966 June 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1966 July 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1966 October 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1966 November 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1966 December 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1967 May 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1967 June 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1967 August 1 - White Sands -. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

Bibliography:

McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page (launch records), Harvard University, 1997-present. Web Address when accessed: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
Parsch, Andreas, DesignationSystems.Net, Web Address when accessed: http://www.designation-systems.net/.

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