Pershing missile launches

From 1960 to 1988 there were Pershing missile launches for testing from various sites in the US. The systems included the Pershing 1 Field Artillery Missile System, the Pershing 1a Field Artillery Missile System and the Pershing II Weapon System. Initial launches were from what is now the Eastern Range at Cape Canaveral, Florida using Launch Complex 30A using the dismounted erector launcher. Later launches were from the full transporter erector launcher (TEL). Further launches were conducted at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) using tactical equipment. The Pershing 1 and 1a had a range of 740 kilometres (460 mi), thus launches were from various subinstallations into WSMR. The two-stage Pershing II had a range of 1,770 kilometres (1,100 mi), thus launches at WSMR used a single-stage missile with two-stage launches at Cape Canaveral.

Three single-stage Pershing II missiles prepared for launch at McGregor Range (1 December 1987)

Purpose

Initial missile launches were for research and development purposes. There were 52 R&D launches in the Pershing 1 development cycle.

In 1965, the Army contracted with the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) of Johns Hopkins University to develop and implement a test and evaluation program.[1] APL developed the Pershing Operational Test Program (OTP), provided technical support to the Pershing Operational Test Unit (POTU), identified problem areas and improved the performance and survivability of the Pershing systems.

POTU planned, scheduled, and executed the tests, evaluations, and missile firings to support OTP.[2] POTU would select three firing batteries from the 56th Field Artillery Command in West Germany to participate in Follow-on Operational Tests (FOT) using an unannounced field alert status verifications (FASV) at the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) site. POTU selected missiles, equipment and personnel (colloquially referred to as a tap) for transport to either Cape Canaveral or White Sands Missile Range. After arrival, the missiles and launchers would be equipped with telemetry and the missiles would have range safety equipment installed for in-flight destruction if needed. Shoots were supported by elements of the 3rd Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment from Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The missile crews would perform tactical countdowns and launch the missile. Data collectors from APL observed the crews and equipment. After the shoot, data and evaluations were compiled into reports of the performance estimates of the operational capabilities of the Pershing missile system.

Markings and telemetry

Initial test missiles were painted white with black striping in a roll pattern that aided in tracking and observation of roll. Tactical missiles were painted green; first olive drab then later forest green. A very few missiles were painted in woodland camouflage. Pershing 1 and 1a missiles tapped for a shoot would have orange stripes added to the rocket motors and the guidance section and had a dummy warhead with black and white roll pattern. Pershing II missiles had orange and yellow stripes added for tracking. The white tip of the Pershing II was not a marking, it was a radome formed of a radar transparent ablative heat shield with the fuze at the very tip in black.

The missiles had dummy warheads that contained telemetry equipment that monitored missile operation and radioed it back to the ground station. The Pershing 1 and Pershing 1a programmer test station and the erector launcher had a recorder installed to monitor all signals; for Pershing II this was installed on the erector launcher.

Postal covers

Postal cover for the launch of Pershing 1a missile (27 June 1973)

The post offices at White Sands Missile Range and Cape Canaveral issued event covers for all launches. Most covers were created using a rubber stamp with the image of a generic missile and a stamped date and time. The first eight launches of the Pershing 1a were recognized with a specially printed cover.

Sites

Units

  • 7th Army: Seventh United States Army
    • 4/41 FA: 4th Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment
    • 1/41 FA: 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment
    • 1/81 FA: 1st Battalion, 81st Field Artillery Regiment
    • 3/84 FA: 3rd Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment
  • German: German Air Force
    • FKW1: Missile Wing 1 (German: Flugkörpergeschwader 1)
      • FKGrp 12: Missile Group 12 (German: Flugkörpergruppe 12)
      • FKGrp 13: Missile Group 13 (German: Flugkörpergruppe 13)
    • FKW2: Missile Wing 2 (German: Flugkörpergeschwader 2)
      • FKGrp 21: Missile Group 21 (German: Flugkörpergruppe 21)
      • FKGrp 22: Missile Group 23 (German: Flugkörpergruppe 22)
  • ARMTE: Army Materiel Test and Evaluation Directorate
  • 2/44 FA: 2nd Missile Battalion, 44th Artillery Regiment

Launches

  • ASP: Annual service practice
  • GRAD: Graduation practice
  • BRD: Bundesrepublik Deutschland; West Germany
  • DASO: demonstration and shakedown operations launch
  • FOT: follow-on test
  • Improved Pershing 1a: Block 7 modifications adding the Azimuth Reference Unit and the Sequential Launch Adapter
  • TEL: transporter erector launcher

Pershing 1

Date Time
GMT
Site ID Unit/Test
25 February 196018:02Canaveral LC30A105P-01 First test launch
20 April 196018:30Canaveral LC30A106P-02 test
10 May 196016:00Canaveral LC30A107P-03 test
9 June 196016:19Canaveral LC30A108P-04 test
30 June 196016:00Canaveral LC30A109P-05 test
26 July 196016:00Canaveral LC30ATEL 110P-06 test
28 September 196019:38Canaveral LC30ATEL 205P-07 test
16 November 196018:25Canaveral LC30ATEL 206P-08 test
12 December 196018:42Canaveral LC30ATEL 207P-09 test
6 January 19610:10Canaveral LC30A208P-10 test (failure)
26 January 19610:30Canaveral LC30A209P-11 test[6]
16 February 19611:27Canaveral LC30A210P-12 test
2 March 19615:07Canaveral LC30A211P-13 test
16 March 19611:19Canaveral LC30A212P-14 test
21 April 196115:53Canaveral LC30A308P-15 test
19 May 19612:00Canaveral LC30A310P-16 test
9 June 19615:11Canaveral LC30A311P-17 test
1 July 19612:00Canaveral LC30A312P-18 test
20 July 19612:00Canaveral LC30A313P-19 test
10 August 1961Canaveral LC30A315P-20 test (failure)
22 August 1961Canaveral LC30A316P-21 test
13 September 1961Canaveral LC30ATEL 318P-22 test
26 September 1961Canaveral LC30A319P-23 test
10 October 1961Canaveral LC30A320P-24 test
2 November 1961Canaveral LC30A322P-25 test
15 November 1961Canaveral LC30A323P-26 test
1 December 1961Canaveral LC30A324P-27
28 December 1961Canaveral LC30A327P-28 test
16 January 196219:00Canaveral LC30A334P-29 test
25 January 19623:00Canaveral LC30A332P-30 test
19 February 1962Canaveral LC30A335P-31 test
15 March 196211:30Canaveral LC30A328P-32 test
4 April 1962Canaveral LC30A326P-33 test
24 April 196217:00Canaveral LC30A337P-34 test (failure)
27 April 1962Canaveral LC30A329P-35 test
9 May 196213:30Canaveral LC30A330P-36 test (failure)
5 June 19622:00Canaveral LC30A339P-37 test
14 June 1962Canaveral LC30A342P-38 test (failure)
21 August 1962Canaveral LC30A338P-39 test
26 September 1962Canaveral LC30A347P-40 test
22 October 1962Canaveral LC30ATEL 351P-41 test
15 November 1962Canaveral LC30A348P-42 test
27 November 1962Canaveral LC30A354P-43 test
10 December 1962Canaveral LC30A353P-44 test
17 January 1963Canaveral LC30A358P-45 test
30 January 1963Canaveral LC30A363P-46 test
14 February 1963Canaveral LC30A403P-47 test
26 February 1963Canaveral LC30A406P-48 test
4 March 1963Canaveral LC30D405P-49 test
13 March 1963Canaveral LC30A407P-50 test
21 March 1963Canaveral LC30A410P-51 test
3 April 1963Canaveral LC30A408P-52 Last R&D test
6 April 19630:45Canaveral LC30A511P-53 IST/Orlando
12 April 1963Canaveral LC30A515P-54 test
17 April 196316:39Canaveral LC30E520P-55 test
24 April 196320:30Canaveral LC30A521P-56 test
20 August 1963BlissX-57 2/44 FA operational test
27 August 1963BlissX-58 operational test
24 September 196317:06Black MesaX-59 operational test[7]
25 September 196313:40Black MesaX-60 operational test
25 September 196321:40Black MesaX-61 McGregor target operational test
27 September 196313:40Black MesaX-62 operational test
27 September 196320:40Black MesaX-63 operational test
14 October 1963Fort WingateX-64 operational test
16 October 1963Fort WingateX-65 operational test
18 October 1963Fort WingateX-66 operational test
21 October 1963Fort WingateX-67 operational test
23 October 1963Fort WingateX-68 FW-5 operational test (failure)
28 October 1963Fort WingateX-69 operational test
14 November 196314:30Fort WingateX-70 4/41st FA operational test
20 November 196317:31Fort WingateX-71 4/41st FA FW-8 operational test
5 December 1963Fort WingateX-72 4/41st FA operational test
24 February 196414:57Fort WingateX-73 Fort Sill operational test
25 February 1964Fort WingateX-75 operational test (failure)
25 February 19640:17Fort WingateX-74 Fort Sill operational test
28 February 1964Fort WingateX-76 operational test
21 April 1964BlissAO-12X-77 German operational test; FKGrp 12 GRAD
23 April 1964BlissX-78 German operational test
17 July 1964Black MesaAO-14X-79 German operational test; FKGrp 13 GRAD
22 July 1964Black MesaAO-15X-80 German operational test; FKGrp 13 GRAD
18 November 1964BlissX-81 Fort Sill 3/84 FA operational test
18 November 1964BlissX-82 Fort Sill 3/84 FA operational test
19 November 1964Fort BlissX-84 3/84 FA operational test (failure: overshoot into Colorado)[8][9]
19 November 1964BlissX-83 Fort Sill 3/84 FA operational test
28 January 1965Fort WingateT1X-85 Fort Sill operational test
3 February 1965Fort WingateT2X-86 Fort Sill
3 February 1965Fort WingateT3X-87 Fort Sill
12 February 1965Fort WingateT4X-88 Fort Sill operational test
26 May 1965Gilson ButteX-89 Fort Sill operational test
27 May 1965Gilson ButteX-90 7th ArmyB4
2 June 1965Gilson ButteX-91 Fort Sill (failure: overshoot McGregor)
16 June 1965Gilson ButteX-92 Fort Sill operational test
6 October 1965Gilson ButteAO-28X-93 BRD (failure); FKGrp 12 ASP
6 October 1965Gilson ButteX-94 BRD
13 October 1965Gilson ButteX-95 operational test (failure)
31 January 1966BlissAO-30X-96 German operational test; FKGrp 13 ASP
14 February 196616:52BlissX-97 Fort Sill operational test
16 February 1966BlissX-98 Fort Sill
22 June 1966Gilson ButteX-99 Fort Sill operational test
27 June 1966Gilson ButteX-100 7th Army
19 July 1966Black MesaX-101 Fort Sill
26 July 1966Black MesaAO-37X-103 operational test; FKGrp 21GRAD
26 July 1966Black MesaAO-38X-104 operational test; FKGrp 21GRAD
26 July 1966Black MesaX-105 operational test
26 July 1966Black MesaX-106 operational test
26 July 1966Black MesaX-107 operational test
26 July 1966Black MesaX-108 operational test
26 July 1966Black MesaX-102 operational test
21 October 1966Gilson ButteAO-41X-111 operational test; FKGrp 12ASP
21 October 1966Gilson ButteX-110 operational test
21 October 1966Gilson ButteX-109 operational test
26 October 1966Gilson ButteAO-43X-112 Fort Sill; FKGrp 22 GRAD
4 November 1966Gilson ButteAO-44X-113 BRD; FKGrp 22 GRAD
7 March 196716:00Black MesaX-115
7 March 196716:00Black MesaX-114
13 March 1967Black MesaX-116 7th Army operational test
13 March 1967Black MesaX-117 7th Army operational test
15 March 1967Black MesaAO-49BRD; FKGrp 13 ASP
28 March 1967Black MesaDASO-7X-118 7th Army demonstration and shakedown operations launch
29 March 19670:30Black MesaX-120 7th Army operational test
29 March 19670:30Black MesaDASO-8X-119 7th Army demonstration and shakedown operations launch
29 March 19671:00Black MesaX-121 7th Army operational test
2 June 1967Black MesaT01X-122 7th Army operational test
2 June 1967Black MesaT02X-123 7th Army operational test
9 June 1967Black MesaT03X-124 operational test
22 June 1967Black MesaT04X-125 operational test
23 June 1967Black MesaT05X-126 7th Army operational test
29 August 196720:10Black MesaX-127 operational test
29 August 196720:15Black MesaX-128 operational test
29 August 196720:30Black MesaX-129 operational test
29 August 196721:00Black MesaX-130 operational test
12 September 19677:00Black MesaAO-53X-131 BRD; FKGrp 12 ASP
12 September 19677:48Black MesaX-132 operational test (overshoot into Mexico)[10][11]
15 November 196715:00Black MesaX-133 7th Army
15 November 196715:30Black MesaX-134 7th Army
15 November 196717:45Black MesaX-135 Fort Sill
5 March 1968Gilson ButteX-136 operational test
5 March 1968Gilson ButteX-137 operational test
16 March 1968HuecoAO-60BRD; FKGrp 21 ASP
16 March 1968HuecoAO-61BRD; FKGrp 13 ASP
29 April 1968Gilson ButteX-139 operational test
20 June 1968Gilson ButteAO-64X-140 BRD F1; 4./FKGrp 12 ASP
20 June 1968Gilson ButteAO-65X-141 BRD F2/9; FKGrp 22 ASP
19 July 1968Gilson ButteX-142 7th Army F3
19 July 1968Gilson ButteX-143 7th Army F4
3 August 1968Gilson ButteAO-68X-145 BRD F6; FKGrp 12 ASP
3 August 1968Gilson ButteAO-69X-144 BRD F5; FKGrp 21 ASP
5 November 196816:11Gilson ButteX-149 7th Army
5 November 196818:00Gilson ButteX-150 7th Army
13 November 1968Gilson ButteAO-72X-151 BRD GILB-19 operational test; FKGrp 12 ASP
2 April 1969Black MesaAO-73BRD; FKGrp 21 ASP
2 April 1969Black MesaAO-74BRD; FKGrp 22 ASP
15 April 1969Black MesaX-152 7th Army F1
16 April 1969Black MesaX-153 7th Army F2
29 April 196917:55Black MesaAO-77X-154 German F3; FKGrp 12 ASP
29 April 196919:00Black MesaAO-78X-155 German F4 (failure); FKGrp 13 ASP
1 May 1969Black MesaX-156 German F5
1 May 1969Black MesaX-157 German F6
14 May 196915:30Black MesaX-158 7th Army F7
14 May 196916:40Black MesaX-159 7th Army F8
5 September 196919:55Black MesaAO-81X-160 BRD F1; FKGrp 12 ASP
5 September 196920:30Black MesaAO-82X-161 BRD F2; FKGrp 13 ASP
16 April 197020:00Black MesaT01/AO-87X-166 BRD; FKGrp 12 ASP
16 April 197020:37Black MesaT02/AO-88X-167 BRD; FKGrp 12 ASP
1 June 1970Black MesaT08X-173
4 June 19701:10Black MesaT05 4/AO-90X-170 BRD; FKGrp 13 ASP
4 June 197020:00Black MesaT06 5/AO-91X-171 BRD; FKGrp 13 ASP
5 June 19701:00Black MesaT07 6X-172 7th Army
15 September 1970Black MesaT01X-178 Fort Sill
17 September 197020:00Black MesaT02X-179 Fort Sill
29 September 197019:15Black MesaT03X-180 7th Army operational test
29 September 197019:36Black MesaT04X-181 7th Army
29 September 197021:10Black MesaT05X-182 7th Army
29 September 197021:34Black MesaOffR 117 T06X-183 7th Army
14 October 19703:05Black MesaT07/AO-95X-184 BRD; FKGrp 21 ASP
14 October 19704:15Black MesaT08/AO-96X-185 BRD (failure); FKGrp 21 ASP
5 November 19703:35Black MesaT09X-186 7th Army
5 November 19704:05Black MesaT10X-187 7th Army
5 November 19705:25Black MesaT11X-188 7th Army (failure)
5 November 19707:35Black MesaT12X-189 7th Army
23 November 197020:30Black MesaT13X-190 7th Army
23 November 197023:10Black MesaT14X-191 7th Army
23 November 197023:45Black MesaT15X-192 7th Army
24 November 19700:20Black MesaOffR 127 T16X-193 7th Army
27 April 197118:30Green RiverT01X-194 7th Army
27 April 197119:00Green RiverT02X-195 7th Army
27 April 197120:00Green RiverT03X-196 7th Army
27 April 197120:30Green RiverT04X-197 7th Army
12 May 1971Green RiverT06X-199 7th Army
12 May 1971Green RiverT07X-200 7th Army
12 May 1971Green RiverT08X-201 7th Army
12 May 1971Green RiverT05X-198 7th Army
28 May 19714:20Green RiverT09X-202 7th Army
28 May 19714:50Green RiverT10X-203 7th Army
28 May 19716:55Green RiverT11X-204 7th Army
8 June 197120:31Green RiverT12X-205 Fort Sill
18 April 197216:00Green RiverT01 ImpX-212 Fort Sill/ARMTE

Pershing 1a

Date Time
GMT
Site ID Unit/Test
6 March 1968Fort BlissX-138 Martin Marietta
5 August 1968Gilson ButteX-147 Fort Sill F8
5 August 1968Gilson ButteX-146 Fort Sill F7
7 August 1968Gilson ButteX-148 Fort Sill F9
16 September 1969Black MesaX-162 Fort Sill F3
16 September 1969Black MesaX-163 Fort Sill F4
30 September 196920:15Black MesaX-164 Fort Sill F5
30 September 196923:55Black MesaX-165 Fort Sill F6
1 April 1970Black MesaT04 7X-169 7th Army
28 April 1970Black MesaT03X-168 7th Army (failure)
14 July 197015:35Black MesaDASO T09X-174 7th Army
14 July 197016:00Black MesaDASO T10X-175 7th Army
4 August 197021:01Black MesaT11X-176 7th Army
4 August 197021:25Black MesaT12X-177 7th Army
23 September 1971Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeImp T01X-206 Fort Sill (failure)
30 September 1971Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeImp T02X-207 Fort Sill (failure)
22 October 1971Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeT03X-208 7th Army
27 October 1971Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeX-209 7th Army
9 November 1971Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeOffR 150 T06X-211 Fort Sill
9 November 1971Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeT05X-210 7th Army
18 April 197218:40Green RiverT02 ImpX-213 7th Army/ARMTE
17 May 1972Green RiverT04 ImpX-215 7th Army/ARMTE
17 May 1972Green RiverT03 ImpX-214 7th Army/ARMTE
17 May 1972Green RiverT05X-216 7th Army
17 May 1972Green RiverT06X-217 7th Army
1 June 1972Green RiverT09X-220 7th Army
1 June 1972Green RiverT10X-221 7th Army
2 June 19726:10Green RiverT07X-218 7th Army
2 June 19726:45Green RiverT08X-219 7th Army
7 June 1972Green RiverT11X-222 7th Army
8 June 1972Green RiverT12X-223 7th Army
13 June 1972Green RiverT14X-225 BRD
13 June 1972Green RiverT13X-224 BRD
22 June 197214:20Green RiverT15X-226 BRD
22 June 197215:00Green RiverT16X-227 BRD
29 June 1972Green RiverT19X-230 7th Army
29 June 1972Green RiverT20X-231 7th Army
29 June 1972Green RiverT17X-228 7th Army
29 June 1972Green RiverT18X-229 7th Army
18 September 1972Green RiverAOX-233 BRD F2
18 September 1972Green RiverAOX-232 BRD F1
25 September 197214:30Green RiverAO-114X-234 BRD F3 German operational test
25 September 197215:30Green RiverAO-115X-235 BRD F4 German operational test
11 October 1972Green RiverAOX-236 7th Army F5 Ar/Ord
11 October 1972Green RiverAOX-237 7th Army F6
20 October 1972Green RiverX-238 7th Army F7
20 October 1972Green RiverAOX-239 Fort Sill F8
21 February 197315:05Cape Canaveral: LC31A101X-240 A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
21 February 197315:37Cape Canaveral: LC31A102X-241 A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
21 February 197316:30Cape Canaveral: LC31A103X-242 A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
21 February 197317:06Cape Canaveral: LC31A104X-243 A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
6 March 197323:28Cape Canaveral: LC31A105X-244 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
6 March 197323:48Cape Canaveral: LC31A106X-245 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
7 March 19730:22Cape Canaveral: LC31A107X-246 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch (failure)
7 March 19730:50Cape Canaveral: LC31A108X-247 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
19 March 197316:02Cape Canaveral: LC31A111X-248 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
19 March 197316:16Cape Canaveral: LC31A112X-249 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
19 March 197317:20Cape Canaveral: LC31A109X-250 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
19 March 197317:52Cape Canaveral: LC31A110X-251 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
19 June 1973Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeX-252 Fort Sill F1
19 June 1973Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeX-253 7th Army F2
27 June 1973Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeX-254 7th Army F3 operational test
27 June 1973Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeX-255 7th Army F4 operational test (failure)
17 July 197314:53Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeX-256 BRD F5
17 July 197316:19Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeX-257 BRD F6
26 July 1973Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeX-259 BRD F8
26 July 1973Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeX-258 BRD F7 (failure)
25 September 19739:30Green RiverP-268 Fort Sill F1
25 September 197310:05Green RiverP-269 Fort Sill F2
10 October 1973Green RiverP-270 BRD F3
10 October 1973Green RiverP-271 BRD F4
24 October 197310:15Green RiverP-272 BRD F5
24 October 197311:05Green RiverP-273 BRD F6
1 November 1973Green RiverP-274 7th Army
1 November 1973Green RiverP-275 7th Army
27 November 1973Green RiverP-276 7th Army F9
27 November 1973Green RiverP-277 7th Army F10
6 December 1973Green RiverP-278 7th Army F11
6 December 1973Green River139P-279 7th Army F12 test
7 May 197419:00Cape Canaveral: LC16103P-280 C Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
7 May 197419:15Cape Canaveral: LC16104P-281 C/D Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
7 May 197420:05Cape Canaveral: LC16102P-282 C Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
7 May 197420:21Cape Canaveral: LC16101P-283 C Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
21 May 1974Cape Canaveral: LC16109P-284 7th Army operational test (failure)
21 May 197413:04Cape Canaveral: LC16110P-285 7th Army operational test
21 May 197413:18Cape Canaveral: LC16111P-286 7th Army operational test
21 May 197414:28Cape Canaveral: LC16112P-287 7th Army operational test
31 May 197419:00Cape Canaveral: LC16105P-288 operational test (failure)
31 May 197419:15Cape Canaveral: LC16106P-289 operational test
31 May 197420:05Cape Canaveral: LC16107P-290 operational test
31 May 197420:21Cape Canaveral: LC16108P-291 operational test
17 October 197414:10Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-292 Fort Sill
17 October 197415:08Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-293 Fort Sill
31 October 197415:02Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-294 7th Army
31 October 197416:25Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-295 7th Army
25 November 1974Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-297 BRD
25 November 1974Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-296 BRD
6 December 1974Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-298 BRD
6 December 1974Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-299 BRD
13 May 19759:00Green RiverP-300 German operational test; 300th Pershing launch; FKW1[12]
13 May 197510:00Green RiverP-301 German operational test; FKW1[12]
28 May 19759:38Green RiverP-302 German operational test; FKW1[12]
28 May 197510:04Green RiverP-303 German operational test; FKW1[12]
11 June 19759:22Green RiverP-304 7th Army operational test; Improved Pershing 1a[12]
11 June 197510:00Green RiverP-305 7th Army operational test; Improved Pershing 1a[12]
25 June 1975Green RiverP-307 7th Army operational test
25 June 1975Green RiverP-306 7th Army operational test
23 July 197515:04Cape Canaveral: LC1637P-308 D Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
23 July 197516:38Cape Canaveral: LC1638P-309 D Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
23 July 197516:53Cape Canaveral: LC1639P-310 S D Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
24 July 197518:49Cape Canaveral: LC1640P-311 D Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
5 August 197516:04Cape Canaveral: LC1641P-312 C Btry 1/81 FA/D operational test launch
5 August 197516:20Cape Canaveral: LC1642P-313 C Btry 1/81 FA/D operational test launch (failure)
5 August 197518:16Cape Canaveral: LC1643P-314 C Btry 1/81 FA/D operational test launch
5 August 197518:32Cape Canaveral: LC1644P-315 C Btry 1/81 FA/D operational test launch
25 August 197515:54Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-45P-316 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch (failure)
25 August 197517:32Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-46P-317 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
26 August 197518:32Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-47P-318 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
26 August 197518:49Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-48P-319 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch (failure)
7 October 1975Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-321 BRD-2
7 October 1975Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-320 BRD-1
21 October 1975Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-323 BRD-4
21 October 1975Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-322 BRD-3
15 January 197610:00Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-324 9FA
15 January 197611:00Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-325 9FA
15 January 197612:00Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-326 7th Army
15 January 197613:55Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-327 7th Army
4 May 1976Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-329 BRD
4 May 1976Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-328 BRD
18 May 1976Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-330 BRD
18 May 1976Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-331 BRD
2 June 197615:19Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-332 7th Army
2 June 197615:45Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-333 7th Army
29 June 197613:03Fort WingateP-334 7th Army
29 June 197614:58Fort WingateP-335 7th Army
26 October 197618:06Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-49C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
26 October 197619:12Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-50C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
26 October 197620:21Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-51C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
26 October 197620:39Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-52C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
17 February 197718:12Cape Canaveral: LC16D Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
2 March 197718:28Cape Canaveral: LC16B Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
2 March 197718:53Cape Canaveral: LC16B Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch (failure)
2 March 197720:31Cape Canaveral: LC16B Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
2 March 197721:42Cape Canaveral: LC16B Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch (failure)
3 May 1977Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeWS-244/P-336
3 May 1977Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeWS-245/P-337
17 May 1977Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeWS-246/P-338
17 May 1977Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeWS-247/P-339
31 May 1977Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-340
31 May 1977Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-341
14 June 1977Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeWS-250/P-342
14 June 197714:42Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-343
1 November 1977White SandsPershing II R&D operational test (Pershing 1a motors with Pershing II re-entry vehicle)
18 November 197715:04Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-344 / WS-252 / P-II R&D operational test / earth penetrator warhead
1 December 1977White SandsPershing II R&D operational test
1 December 1977White SandsPershing II R&D operational test
9 December 1977Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeP-345 / WS-253 / P-II R&D operational test / earth penetrator warhead
18 May 1978White SandsOperational test
13 July 197814:37Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-111D Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
13 July 197816:57Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-112D Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
13 July 197818:09Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-113D Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
25 July 197814:30Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-115A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
25 July 197814:48Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-114A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
25 July 197815:06Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-116A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
25 August 197813:06Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-117C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
25 August 197813:23Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-118C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
25 August 197813:53Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-119C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
22 February 197914:43Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-121Follow-on test launch
22 February 197915:00Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-122Follow-on test launch
22 February 197915:19Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-120Follow-on test launch
25 April 197915:03Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-125Follow-on test launch
25 April 197915:17Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-124Follow-on test launch
25 April 197915:40Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-123Follow-on test launch
9 May 197917:00Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-128Follow-on test launch
9 May 197918:29Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-126Follow-on test launch
9 May 197918:50Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-127Follow-on test launch
12 February 198015:51Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-131Follow-on test launch
12 February 198016:27Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-129Follow-on test launch
23 April 198015:04Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-132Follow-on test launch
23 April 198015:22Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-133Follow-on test launch
23 April 198015:39Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-134Follow-on test launch
23 April 198016:05Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-135Follow-on test launch
7 May 198014:40Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
7 May 198014:59Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-136Follow-on test launch
7 May 198015:58Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-137Follow-on test launch
15 May 198014:51Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-138Follow-on test launch
15 October 1980White SandsGerman operational test
15 October 1980White SandsGerman operational test
15 October 1980White SandsGerman operational test
15 October 1980White SandsGerman operational test
4 February 198115:00Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-141Follow-on test launch
4 February 198115:33Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-139Follow-on test launch
4 February 198115:53Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-140Follow-on Test launch
17 February 198117:15Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-143Follow-on test launch
17 February 198117:51Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-142Follow-on test launch
17 February 198119:17Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-144Follow-on test launch
7 April 198114:00Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-146Follow-on test launch
7 April 198114:19Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-147Follow-on test launch
7 April 198114:40Cape Canaveral: LC16FOT-148Follow-on test launch
21 October 1981Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeAO-212 test
20 January 198214:59Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
20 January 198215:19Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
20 January 198219:06Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
24 February 198214:04Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
24 February 198214:55Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
24 February 198215:14Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
10 March 198215:01Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
10 March 198215:17Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
10 March 198216:26Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
23 September 198312:05Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
23 September 198313:21Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
23 September 198314:34Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
23 September 198314:55Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
23 September 198316:17Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
13 October 198316:25Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
13 October 198316:50Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
13 October 198317:13Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
13 October 198317:43Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test

Pershing II

The first Pershing II launches were in 1977 using the original design configuration with the Pershing 1a motors and a new re-entry vehicle. The 1979 decision to increase the Pershing range necessitated the development of new motors.

Date Time
GMT
Site ID Unit/Test
22 July 198214:49Cape Canaveral: LC161Test mission (failure)[13]
19 November 1982Fort Bliss: McGregor Range2Test mission[14]
21 January 198314:48Cape Canaveral: LC163Test mission[15]
1 February 1983Fort Bliss: McGregor Range5Test mission (single stage)
9 February 198315:06Cape Canaveral: LC164Test mission
13 March 198316:29Fort Bliss: McGregor Range6ED-4 (single stage)
28 March 198315:29Cape Canaveral: LC167Test mission
10 April 198319:55Cape Canaveral: LC16Test mission
24 April 1983Fort Bliss: McGregor Range9Test mission
6 May 1983Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeTest mission (single stage)
27 May 198314:48Cape Canaveral: LC16Test mission
2 June 198314:46Cape Canaveral: LC16Test mission
19 June 198316:12Launch Site: White SandsTest mission (single stage)
24 June 1983Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeTest mission (single stage)
16 July 1983Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeTest mission (single stage)
27 July 198314:15Cape Canaveral: LC16Test mission (failure)[16]
7 September 198317:04Cape Canaveral: LC16Test mission
18 September 1983Fort Bliss: McGregor RangeTest mission (single stage)
16 May 198414:31Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
7 August 198412:00Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
20 September 198414:30Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
3 October 198414:22Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
16 December 198513:03Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
17 December 198516:02Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
17 December 198521:37Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
24 June 198613:56Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
24 June 198615:23Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
24 June 198616:33Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
26 June 198613:05Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
26 June 198616:47Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
24 March 198713:33Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test[17]
24 March 198713:52Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
24 March 198714:13Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
24 March 198715:34Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
24 March 198715:54Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
24 March 198716:17Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
21 May 19872:00Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
21 May 19872:19Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
21 May 19872:40Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
21 May 19874:00Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
21 May 19874:33Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
21 May 19874:51Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
27 July 198712:38Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
27 July 198712:57Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
27 July 198715:20Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
27 July 198715:37Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
13 January 198814:01Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test[18]
15 February 198813:03Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
15 February 198813:21Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
15 February 198813:42Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
15 February 198815:16Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
15 February 198815:42Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
15 February 198816:01Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
21 March 198813:01Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
21 March 198813:19Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
21 March 198814:13Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
21 March 198815:45Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test
21 March 198816:53Cape Canaveral: LC16Operational test

References

  1. Mentzer, Jr., William R. (1998). "Test and Evaluation of Land-Mobile Missile Systems" (PDF). Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest. Johns Hopkins University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  2. Lyman, Donald R. (May 1977). "POTU" (PDF). Field Artillery Journal. United States Army Field Artillery School: 15–17.
  3. "LC-30 Launch Complex 30 at Cape Canaveral AFS". Wired4Sspace. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  4. "LC-31 Launch Complex 31 at Cape Canaveral AFS". Wired4Sspace. Archived from the original on 2 February 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  5. "SLC-16 Launch Pad at Cape Canaveral AFS". Wired4Sspace. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  6. "Pershing Missile Firing Successful". The Florence Times. 26 January 1961.
  7. Knight, Hal (23 September 1963). "Pershing Missile Set for Launch from Utah". The Deseret News.
  8. "Lost Missile Sought". The Spokesman-Review. 21 November 1964.
  9. "Wayward Missile Is Found". The New York Times. 21 October 1982.
  10. "Errant Army Missile Takes Mexican Trip". Chicago Tribune. 13 September 1967.
  11. "US Missile Off Course, Hits Mexico". The Milwaukee Journal. 11 September 1967.
  12. "Pershing Firings Pass 300". Flight International: 857. 29 May 1975.
  13. "Pershing Missile's Test Believed OK". Toledo Blade. 23 July 1982.
  14. "Army Succeeds in Fourth Attempt to Test-fire the Pershing 2 Missile". The New York Times. 20 November 1982.
  15. "The Pershing II, the Army's controversial missile designed to..." UPI. 21 January 1983.
  16. "Pershing Missile Flunks Again". Lakeland Ledger. 28 July 1983.
  17. Glisch, John J. (25 March 1987). "6 Pershings Strike Targets in Atlantic Tests". Orlando Sentinel.
  18. Glisch, John J. (14 January 1988). "Battery Failures Scratch 2 of 3 Pershing Tests". Orlando Sentinel.

Launches

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