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Ed Thelen's Nike Missile Web Site

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This site presents a great deal of Nike Hercules historical, technical and operational information and provides extensive links to Nike related books, documents, museums and to other Nike related web sites. This site also provides a photographic tour of Nike site SF-88 (being restored), location and status of Nike sites, and a List of Nike People, some on-line documents, a bulletin board, a search, a Photo Exchange, an FAQ, and a variety of other features. See Table of Contents.

This web site salutes those people have risked or are risking life and limb supporting our war against terrorism.
How did YOU sleep last night? "Bravery is not the absence of fear, it's doing the right thing in spite of fear." Mobilized
The following paragraph added Jan 3, 2009
Well friends, I give up. The big city "liberals" - including Chicago - have won. I suggest military folks quit the military, and join the big city gravy train. The heck with this altruistic, sacrifice-for-the-common-good stuff. It is now obsolete. Come home and "get yours". Michael Moore said it best - only small town hicks, with small town values, join the military. So - Come home and "get yours". Sadly, signed Ed Thelen
Old stuff follows
Remember, Every Disaster is a "CHANGE". Think of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, ... Dear Mr. Obama
What happened to good old "American Liberals" who wanted a better world and well as a better "America"? Are they now part of the "silent majority"??
Anyone know why the current American "liberals" like despots with mustaches? Think of Stalin, Castro, Ho Chi Minh, Saddam Hussein - And tell political lies about those who don't like despots. Comments - And the SwiftBoat men surely have the right to speak - and not be gagged by jackasses. Judicial Watch, Adventures With The Press, Useful Idiots - is Lennin correct? Dispatch from a fallen Soldier, No liberal would say this.

All my life, starting with the Soviet/Nazi exercise in Spain, I have heard "liberals" defending dictators. "liberals" preferred Communist dictators to Franco or Hitler or Tojo. Now we focus on Muslim dictators/sultans. If "liberals" don't like the responsibilities/advantages that were gained (by struggle) through "our" system, please go enjoy Syria, Iran or Saudi Arabia - please leave me/mine alone.

Real Liberals stay around, we need you :-))
  • Someone just lent me the book "Do As I Say". You and I are missing out on a new career path - Knock America and Get Rich - like $12,000 per campus speaking engagement :-)) And world wide book and movie royalties :-)) American citizens can get rich trashtalking America. You surely can't do that in despotic lands like Vietnam? Cuba? China? that American liberals visit and flatter. . That would be insanely stupid!
  • Why does the media call bus bombers in Iraq "insurgents" or "activists", and in London "terrorists"?
    My "liberal" friends, hearing only about bombs, think oil export from Iraq is zero. How about 2 million barrels per day?
  • Why I would be a Suicide Bomber if I were a young Muslim. ?Is Osama Bin Laden a civilian? Yes, No uniform :-))
  • Kerry, the guy who gave himself three metals in four months, got fired or fled the military, (he promised to release records - but never did), lied his head off about atrocities, and married the Ketchup heiress. Massachusetts voters apparently prefer well practiced liars.
    Can't liberals show us something better?
    And Hillary Rodham Clinton pawing through FBI files of suspected enemies. Is this the best the liberals can offer??
    - Apologies to Senator Joe Lieberman - I think the billionaire Hollywood types have taken over his party.
    And Chicago trained Barack Hussein Obama wanting to hide his middle name,
    - Is he ashamed of his Muslim upbringing? Profane "reverend" Jeremiah White preaches like a Black Muslim of the 1970s.
    - Talks "change", and selects long time New Jersey policical hack for vice president -
  • I have found clear distinctions between
    liberals
    • - never mentions liberty or freedom or democracy - only what government/dictator should do for us
      - think that the army and secret police should have all the guns-
      - so that the Hitler, Stalin and Huey Long types may sleep peacefully
    • - peace through weakness
      if we are weak, the bullies of the world, Osama Bin Laden, Putin ... won't bother us
    conservatives
    • - thinks liberty and freedom and democracy are good things, worth working for -
      - think that citizens should have guns, power to the people.
    • - peace through strength
      if we are strong, the bullies of the world, Osama Bin Laden, Putin ... won't bother us
  • What irritates me most is the newspapers have a monopoly position in most cities. I can't question or talk back. Might as well watch TV "news".
    I really irritate my liberal friends when I say I listen to talk radio - where I *can* question and talk back.
    And what is with the pro-Muslim media? They have convinced some of my more simple relatives and friends that quaint folks who believe that the world was created say 6,000 years ago are more dangerous than Muslim Terrorists who kill and maim tens of thousands - can you figure that?
  • While I'm getting into trouble - What ever happened to feminists? They seem to have gone under a rock since the 9/11 heroics of firemen. One of my daughters-in-law liked to look me in the eye and threaten "There is no crime too heinous in defense of feminism." One would think feminists would have some comment about Taliban and Iran ... or do they secretly wish to be covered, at home and silent? Or are they spending their energies Bush Bashing for some odd reason? And what is with the ACLU? Three young Duke lacrosse players tormented for a year by a demented democratic DA in Durham, NC - and the ACLU sits on its fat backside!! - whining about the rights of foreign terrorists.

Dr. Stephen E. Ambrose stated that the correct spelling is "hiSTORY", so this originally very techie web site now has many stories. :-)

Mike Stucka, a staff writer for the Taunton Daily Gazette, was looking for images for a Nike story and e-mailed
"This story is interesting, and everyone is so darned helpful."
(Resulting story here)
I thought for a bit and replied:
"These were good days for lots of now older folks -
and we were quite proud of
- the learning experience - some of us even got a little more "mature" ;-))
- doing something useful - better than flipping hamburgers or selling shoes ?
"Most look back and smile, and like to share the warm feeling :-))"

This site has become a cooperative effort as more than 250 people have contributed text, stories, ideas, information, and corrections.

The Nike surface to air missile system was named after the winged goddess of victory in Greek mythology. Two versions of this system defended the U.S. and other places from hostile aircraft.

The 1st version, the Nike Ajax, was deployed in the U.S. from 1954 to the early 1960s. It had an effective range of 25 miles.

The 2nd version, the Nike Hercules, was developed which was faster, had a range of over 75 miles, and had nuclear capability. The Hercules was deployed starting in 1958. In 1963, there were 134 Nike Hercules and 77 Nike Ajax batteries defending the U. S. as per "Rings of Supersonic Steel".

The Hercules is still in use (with an improved computer and a few other enhancements) by several countries today.

This web site does not present photos, histories, nor detailed status of most NIKE sites. I link to other web sites take up that interesting challenge.

Almost all Nike Hercules related information has been declassified - the only exceptions are some IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) information, some flight characteristics, and some nuclear warhead information. This site has a little information on the Nike Ajax, and no information on Nike Zeus (external link).

I installed and maintained Nike Ajax fire control equipment (radars & computer) at Chicago site C-41 during 1955-1957. Maybe "we" deterred "them". I have served as a volunteer helping restore an old Nike site (SF-88) near San Francisco for the National Park Service. (I did the radar and missile engagement simulation in the Battery Control van.)

About submitting photos to this web site.

Two "action" pictures and a movie
Hercules Night Launch,
(17 K bytes)
[Herc night launch]
From previous army pictures at
http://www.redstone.army.mil/
history/archives/nike_017.jpg.

Hercules Day Launch,
(from NAMFI, 32 K bytes)
[Herc day NAMFI launch]
From Rolf Dieter Görigk

On-Line Movies

Missile Intercept
1,5 min, Internet Archive

Annual Practice
1.5 min, YouTube via ??

Nike Hercules night launch
The missile (with booster) was launched 0.4 seconds ago, is accelerating at 25 times the force of earth's gravity, has risen 60 feet, and it is now going 210 miles per hour.

Four seconds from now, the missile will be:

  • going 1,700 miles per hour straight up,
  • separated from the booster, (the black flaming thing with the white fins),
  • turning (diving) towards the intercept point with the target,
  • starting the sustainer rocket engine to reach 2,700 miles per hour. If the target is 90 miles approaching at mach 1.5, the missile will meet the target 60 miles away in 90 seconds.

    The Nike Hercules shown here defended major U.S. target areas against aircraft attack from 1958 to 1974. It had an effective range of over 75 miles and a speed of mach 3.6. South Korea has over 200 of these missiles, with associated radars and guidance systems, currently in service.

    Its predecessor, the smaller Nike Ajax, was in service from 1954 through about 1965. It had a range of 25 miles and a speed of mach 2.5.

    • ... ...
    Click here for expanded graphics scanned by Pete Wurzbach C/4/562 Alvarado, Texas

    Table of Contents
    Nike History,
    Nike Site Technical information,
    Nike Operational information,
    Nike Locations and People,
    Books & Manuals, On-Line documents,
    Places to visit, physical and on-line,
    People and Trip Reports,
    Stories, Questions,
    Other,
    Search Function,
    Bulletin Board,
    Items, Wanted or for Sale,
    General diagram of a Nike Hercules site.
    To update your e-mail address.

    Nike History

    Pre-Nike (Anti-Aircraft Guns)
    Nike Historical Information
    Nike Technical Background, Then & Now
    Nike A Remarkable YouTube Presentation, 10 minutes - recommended by Jon Little

    Nike Site Technical information

    Nike Site Overview
    Nike Integrated Fire Control (IFC) Area Overview
    Nike Launcher Area Overview

    Nike Operational information

    On-Line documents (recent additions usually near the top)

    Places to visit, physical and on-line

    People and Trip Reports

    Stories, Questions

    Other

    Bulletin Board has been moved to here.

    About photo submission

    (added Jan 22. 2000)
    Tom Vaughn is posting photos of Nike People at Pictures of Nike people and Nike sites when there where still Nike missiles. :-))

    New policy: I am introducing a Photo Exchange so that those who wish to share can, and those who wish, can ask. I hope this works better than my previous "no photos" policy. You are still invited to look up web sites who specialize in a particular area, and offer there.

    Thank you

    Ed Thelen

    General diagram of a Nike Hercules site.

    Figure from FM 44-1-2 ADA Reference Handbook, 15 June 1984, as found on page 20 of "Rings of Supersonic Steel".

    If you have comments or suggestions, Send e-mail to Ed Thelen (ed@ed-thelen.org)
    Some     flattering pictures of Ed, a short bio.

    This page updated Sept 5, 2008
    The rest of this web site is being enhanced frequently.
    This web site has over 50,000 "individual clients" per month. Site access statistics     here
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