Disarmed warhead on inert titan ii missile at the museum near tucson, az. Command and control is the longhidden story of a deadly 1980 accident at a titan ii missile complex in damascus, arkansas. It was housed in silo 3738 near judsonia, arkansas. Other titan ii missile fuel leak complex studies exist and ucla researchers who read those studies claim widespread nmda was noted in the titan ii complexes. Usaf titan ii apparel and merchandise featuring, strategic air command and 390th smw, 390th mims, 570th sms, 571st sms,381st smw, 381st mims, 532nd. The missiles had to be fueled before launch with an extremely flammable combination of highly refined kerosene and liquid oxygen.
However, the only report made public by the air force is this dm study. The titan missile museum is one of the only nuclear missile silos open to the public, and the only one from the titan program. Feb 04, 2019 exploring abandoned titan missile silo, kansas. Most have been decommissioned and destroyed, although some.
This book tells a tale of great missiles and aircraft and great. This preserved titan ii missile site, officially known as complex 5717, is all that remains of the 54 titan ii missile sites that. Titan ii missile site coordinates university of wyoming. The book contains over 300 pages of history, pictures and human interest stories, in the form of anecdotes and other observations.
The titan ii launch complex 3747 in southside van buren county, just north of damascus van buren and faulkner counties, became the site of the most highly publicized disaster in the history of the titan ii missile program when its missile exploded within the launch duct on september 19, 1980. Each missile carried a single warhead, the largest in the us inventory, used liquid fuels, and was stored and launched from underground silos. The dash one this is a manual for the united states titan ii intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system as displayed at the titan missile museum in sahuarita, arizona introduction. How russias satan 2 nuclear missile works and why its so. As of 3182020, the titan missile museum is closed and all tours have been suspended indefinitely. Titan is were configured with three missiles per site, with the first missile taking at least 15 minutes, and the 2nd and 3rd missiles in 7 12 minutes to launch.
This preserved titan ii missile site, officially known as complex 5717, is all that remains of the 54 titan ii missile sites that were on alert across the united states from 1963 to 1987. The temple of titan is an abandoned missile silo taken over by the mad monks. All aspects of the program have been covered, from research and development concepts for a silo launched missile, to test and evaluation and finally deployment and operational history. Titan ii missile system titan 2 silo the titan ii icbm program was developed by the us military to increase the size, strength, and speed of the nations weapons arsenal in the 1950s and 60s. The titani, deployed in 1961, was the first missile launched from an underground base in the united states.
Payloads included all gemini missions, several high profile space probes, including both viking mars probes, both voyager probes, and the cassinihuygens saturn mission. Visitors admire the nearlyfinished titan i missile display at the south dakota air and space museum, aug. The titan i, deployed in 1961, was the first missile launched from an underground base in the united states. How to find, buy, and renovate a titan ii missile silo. Titan ii is a detailed history of the development of the united states second icbm technically, it could be considered the third, since it bears only limited resemblance to the titan i that preceded it. They treat it as a holy site, and use it as their base of operations. He ended up with a titan ii missile silo that was decommissioned in spring of 1986. Titan ii icbm launch complex 3734 near searcy white county was the site of an accident on august 9, 1965, in which fiftythree workers were killedthe largest loss of life ever suffered in a u.
Titan ii missiles were designed to be launched from underground missile silos that were hardened against nuclear attack. This book provides an enjoyable and important story that accurately documents a vital part of our nations cold war. An air force airman was killed, and the complex was destroyed. Once you read this book, a visit to the titan missile museum in. The situation with the current public health concerns over the covid19 virus is one we are monitoring closely and we are following the guidance of local public health agencies. Titan ii recommended reading the military standard.
Drive your vehicle to the overflow parking lot on the southwest side of the antenna. Concrete barriers on exhibit at the titan ii missile museum near tucson, az. Oct 20, 2016 in 2010, the creator of this channel decided to buy a missile silo. Titan ii missile explosion 1980 the titan ii launch complex 3747 in southside van buren county, just north of damascus van buren and faulkner counties, became the site of the most highly publicized disaster in the history of the titan ii missile program when its missile exploded within the launch duct on september 19, 1980. Go to the titan missile museum visitors center and ask them for the signin book for the discone antenna. Last titan 2 silo is dismantled in arkansas the new york. Accident at titan 2 silo 3734, little rock afb, kills 53. The incident occurred on september 1819, 1980, at missile complex 3747 in rural arkansas when a u. In addition to a step by step analysis of how the program was established, the silos and command centers built, and the launch operations for the missile, there is a set of oversize, fold out plans for the underground command center, missile silo and titan ii in the back of the book. A real but thankfully not live missile stands tall as a monument to the united states military in the small town of cordele. The movie, developed by director robert kenner from eric schlossers book of the same name, reveals how a warhead atop a titan ii missile risked explosion in. My favorite parts of the book had to do with the missile crew members that manned this most imposing nuclear weapon along with the tragic accidents that titan ii is remembered for. Titan ii missile system titan 2 silo the military standard.
This book was an invaluable resource whole working on a fiction novel recently, set in a titan ii missile silo. Titan ii titan ii research and development flight test history titan ii launch complex design and construction titan ii in context manning the titan ii titan ii operational flight and evaluation programs history fatal accidents. A history of a cold war missile program is rich and detailed history of the united states second icbm. The titan 2 handbook goes into great detail, complete with photographs, of the titan 2 underground complex. The air force strategic missile program the first generation. Titan ii site 5718 is located 14 miles south of three points at 19955 s. This book is an outstanding compilation of facts about the cold war titan ii missile system. In the back of the book is a list of recommended or must read books. Titan i and titan ii were part of the us air forces intercontinental ballistic. Broken arrow incident involving a titan ii intercontinental ballistic missile icbm.
The titan ii icbm intercontinental ballistic missile program was developed by the united states military to bolster the size, strength, and speed of the nations strategic weapons ar. A new documentary based on schlossers book, also called command and control opening wednesday in new york city, explores in whiteknuckle detail one such incident, at. Titan i intercontinental ballistic missile icbm titan i icbm on display at the air force space and missile museum. Nov 10, 2018 the titan ii was the most powerful nuclear weapon ever had among the us nuclear arsenal. Air force lgm25c titan ii icbm loaded with a 9 megaton w53 nuclear warhead had a liquid fuel explosion inside its. The titan ii icbm program was developed by the us military to increase the size, strength, and speed of the nations weapons arsenal in the 1950s and 60s. Titan was a family of united states expendable rockets used between 1959 and 2005. This book contains facts, figures and an in depth look at the missile program from atlas to titian 2. The titan ii was an intercontinental ballistic missile icbm and space launcher developed by the glenn l. The last titan ii missile in the nation was deactivated may 5, 1987. Lots of minutia are theremore than i expected, and.
The airman who twice went down to take readings in the vaporfilled, titan ii missile complex near damascus, ark. Sep 15, 2016 the movie, developed by director robert kenner from eric schlossers book of the same name, reveals how a warhead atop a titan ii missile risked explosion in 1980 at a strategic air command sac. Once you read this book, a visit to the titan missile museum in sahuarita, az, is absolutely recommended. Portions of the film were shot in an abandoned titan ii missile silo in. The titan ii icbm intercontinental ballistic missile program was develope. The rocket evolved into one of the worlds most important launch vehicles. There will be three future short documentaries made which will cover. The titan missile, deployed from 1959 to 1987 was the largest icbm deployed by the united states and delivered a 9 megaton nuclear bomb. The damascus titan missile explosion also called the damascus accident was a 1980 u.
The titan ii was the most powerful nuclear weapon ever had among the us nuclear arsenal. The second accident, in 1978, caused the death of two men and the evacuation of the nearby town of rock. Titan i and titan ii were part of the us air forces intercontinental ballistic missile fleet until 1987. Aug 16, 2015 the last titan ii missile in the nation was deactivated may 5, 1987. Survivor recalls 1965 titan ii missile silo fire that killed 53. To get a sense of how large the titan was, the currentlydeployed minuteman missile weighs a third as much and its warhead has 125 the yield. There you will find an electrical fuse box mounted on a. Well, this is a story of what it was really like working with the incredible system known as the titan ii. Russia unveils image of its terrifying satan 2 missile. A history of a cold war missile program by donald k. The first stage was powered by a pair of improved lr87 rocket. The movie, developed by director robert kenner from eric schlossers book of the same name, reveals how a warhead atop a titan ii missile risked explosion in 1980 at a strategic air command sac. Exploring abandoned titan missile silo, kansas youtube.
In chilling documentary command and control, a nuclear. Another great book for the extitan ii launch crew member, maintenance team member, security. A fire started in the silo during construction work. Welcome to the 308smw titan ii missile page this site is dedicated to all those who served in the 308th strategic missile wing. The first titan ii launch, missile n2, was carried out on 16 march 1962 from lc16 at cape canaveral and performed extremely well, flying 5000 miles 8046 kilometers downrange and depositing its reentry vehicle in the ascension splash net. The space launch vehicle versions contributed the majority of the 368 titan launches, including all the project gemini crewed flights of the mid1960s. Hero of titan ii missile explosion is reprimanded by air. According to the centers missile defense project, the satan 2 is reported by russian media as being able to carry 10 large warheads, 16 smaller ones, a combination of warheads and.
Titan ii was originally designed and used as an icbm, but was later adapted as a mediumlift space launch vehicle to carry payloads to earth orbit for the united states air force usaf, national aeronautics and space administration nasa. Aug 24, 2017 visitors admire the nearlyfinished titan i missile display at the south dakota air and space museum, aug. Owen sims, a cattle farmer, says he is breathing easier now that the last titan 2 nuclear missile silo, situated over a ridge less than 2,000 feet from his home, has been dismantled. Titan ii icbm sm68b the titan ii icbm, developed from the titan i missile, was first flown successfully on 16 march 1962. The second accident, in 1978, caused the death of two men and the evacuation of the nearby town of. Survivor recalls 1965 titan ii missile silo fire that. The book was written by military historian and published author david stumpf and published by the university of arkansas press. The titan ii was the largest landbased missile ever deployed by the us. This oneofa kind museum gives visitors a rare look at the technology used by the united states to deter nuclear war. A titan laid to rest ellsworth air force base article. Chilling pbs doc recounts the nuclear accident that nearly. While the titan ii was designed for the purpose of carrying a nuclear warhead from the united states to another continent, it was built for another purpose altogether.
The warhead had been removed from the site prior to the start of construction. A history of a cold war missile program 0884454537547. Livingston tribute incredible site construction pics new new. And that purpose was that the titan ii would never launch at all 24665 s highway 79 oracle, az 85739. Titan ii icbm launch complex 3734 was one of eighteen arkansas launch complexes operated by the 308th strategic missile squadron headquartered at the little rock air.
Titan missile museum green valley amateur radio club. In 2010, the creator of this channel decided to buy a missile silo. The estimated titan ii veterans from 1962 1987 is about 10,000 people. And that purpose was that the titan ii would never launch at all. At the titan missile museum, near tucson, arizona, visitors journey through time to stand on the front line of the cold war. The united states air force legacy program has funded the creation of a book on the history of the titan ii icbm program. A history of a cold war missile program david stumpf. Air force lgm25c titan ii icbm loaded with a 9 megaton w53. This is a book focused on the technical development of the missile, the development and construction of its launch silos, its launch tests, its operational history, and its retirement from service in the 1980s. Titan ii missile explosion 1980 encyclopedia of arkansas. The 14acre site is located in the scenic foothills of the sierrita mountains. The two largest oxidizer spills that occurred in the titan ii program occurred at this site 14 years apart.
Titan ii missile accident 1965 encyclopedia of arkansas. The missile was 52 feet in length, weighed over 83 tons when fueled and was fired from a 165 foot deep launch silo, which was part of a complex underground base containing 3 silos and equipment rooms, a control room, sleeping quarters, a. All but one of the missiles were broken up for salvage in 2006. The titan rocket was developed in the 1950s as an intercontinental ballistic missile. Titan ii was originally designed and used as an icbm, but was later adapted as a mediumlift space launch vehicle to carry payloads to earth orbit for the united states air force usaf, nasa and national oceanic and atmospheric. The lgm25c weapon system consists of an inertially guided, liquid fueled, airborne weapon and associated ground equipment necessary to maintain and launch the airborne weapon. The first book read was the titian 2 handbook by chuck penson. The onehour guided tours include a short film on the titan ii program, a visit to the underground launch control center where visitors see a simulated missile launch, and a visit to level 2 of the missile silo where visitors are able to view the missile through large windows cut into the launch duct wall.
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