Western Electric MIM-3A Nike-Ajax Surface-to-Air Missile - Fort George G Meade, MD
Posted by: 
kb7ywl
N 39° 05.935 W 076° 44.557
18S E 349309 N 4329199
Western Electric MIM-3A Nike-Ajax Surface-to-Air Missile
Waymark Code: WMDRA7
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 02/18/2012
Views: 4
Project Nike began during 1944 when the War Department demanded a new air defense system to combat the new jet aircraft, as existing gun-based systems proved largely incapable of dealing with the speeds and altitudes at which jet aircraft operated. Project Nike was a US Army project, proposed in May 1945 by Bell Laboratories, to develop a line-of-sight anti-aircraft missile system. The project delivered the United States' first operational anti-aircraft missile system, the Nike-Ajax, in 1953. Originally designated SAM-G-7, in 1951 it was redesignated SAM-A-7; then in 1954 it was redesignated M-1; finally in 1963 it was redesignated MIM-3A. The Nike-Ajax is a two-stage, liquid-fueled missile with a solid-propellant booster. The upper warhead stage is white with fins; the lower tower booster is olive drab. The missile could reach a maximum speed of 1,000 mph (1,600 km/h), an altitude of 70,000 ft (21 km) and had a range of 25 miles (40 km). The missile contained an unusual three part payload, with explosive fragmentation charges at three points down the length of the missile to help ensure a lethal hit. More than 16,000 were built. On 30 May 1954, the first Nike-Ajax battery, Battery B, 36th AA Missile Battalion became operational at Fort George G Meade.
Source: Wikipedia
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Western Electric MIM-3A Nike Ajax Surface-to-Air Missile
Tail Number: (S/N): s/n unknown
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Museum
inside / outside: outside
Access restrictions:
Located at Fort George G Meade Museum, 4674 Griffin Avenue, Fort George G Meade, MD (301) 677-6966. Further information can be obtained at http://www.ftmeade.army.mil/museum/index.html.
Other Information:: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.