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Pershing missile launches

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

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.

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

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 1960 18:02 Canaveral LC30A 105 P-01 First test launch
20 April 1960 18:30 Canaveral LC30A 106 P-02 test
10 May 1960 16:00 Canaveral LC30A 107 P-03 test
9 June 1960 16:19 Canaveral LC30A 108 P-04 test
30 June 1960 16:00 Canaveral LC30A 109 P-05 test
26 July 1960 16:00 Canaveral LC30A TEL 110 P-06 test
28 September 1960 19:38 Canaveral LC30A TEL 205 P-07 test
16 November 1960 18:25 Canaveral LC30A TEL 206 P-08 test
12 December 1960 18:42 Canaveral LC30A TEL 207 P-09 test
6 January 1961 0:10 Canaveral LC30A 208 P-10 test (failure)
26 January 1961 0:30 Canaveral LC30A 209 P-11 test[6]
16 February 1961 1:27 Canaveral LC30A 210 P-12 test
2 March 1961 5:07 Canaveral LC30A 211 P-13 test
16 March 1961 1:19 Canaveral LC30A 212 P-14 test
21 April 1961 15:53 Canaveral LC30A 308 P-15 test
19 May 1961 2:00 Canaveral LC30A 310 P-16 test
9 June 1961 5:11 Canaveral LC30A 311 P-17 test
1 July 1961 2:00 Canaveral LC30A 312 P-18 test
20 July 1961 2:00 Canaveral LC30A 313 P-19 test
10 August 1961 Canaveral LC30A 315 P-20 test (failure)
22 August 1961 Canaveral LC30A 316 P-21 test
13 September 1961 Canaveral LC30A TEL 318 P-22 test
26 September 1961 Canaveral LC30A 319 P-23 test
10 October 1961 Canaveral LC30A 320 P-24 test
2 November 1961 Canaveral LC30A 322 P-25 test
15 November 1961 Canaveral LC30A 323 P-26 test
1 December 1961 Canaveral LC30A 324 P-27
28 December 1961 Canaveral LC30A 327 P-28 test
16 January 1962 19:00 Canaveral LC30A 334 P-29 test
25 January 1962 3:00 Canaveral LC30A 332 P-30 test
19 February 1962 Canaveral LC30A 335 P-31 test
15 March 1962 11:30 Canaveral LC30A 328 P-32 test
4 April 1962 Canaveral LC30A 326 P-33 test
24 April 1962 17:00 Canaveral LC30A 337 P-34 test (failure)
27 April 1962 Canaveral LC30A 329 P-35 test
9 May 1962 13:30 Canaveral LC30A 330 P-36 test (failure)
5 June 1962 2:00 Canaveral LC30A 339 P-37 test
14 June 1962 Canaveral LC30A 342 P-38 test (failure)
21 August 1962 Canaveral LC30A 338 P-39 test
26 September 1962 Canaveral LC30A 347 P-40 test
22 October 1962 Canaveral LC30A TEL 351 P-41 test
15 November 1962 Canaveral LC30A 348 P-42 test
27 November 1962 Canaveral LC30A 354 P-43 test
10 December 1962 Canaveral LC30A 353 P-44 test
17 January 1963 Canaveral LC30A 358 P-45 test
30 January 1963 Canaveral LC30A 363 P-46 test
14 February 1963 Canaveral LC30A 403 P-47 test
26 February 1963 Canaveral LC30A 406 P-48 test
4 March 1963 Canaveral LC30D 405 P-49 test
13 March 1963 Canaveral LC30A 407 P-50 test
21 March 1963 Canaveral LC30A 410 P-51 test
3 April 1963 Canaveral LC30A 408 P-52 Last R&D test
6 April 1963 0:45 Canaveral LC30A 511 P-53 IST/Orlando
12 April 1963 Canaveral LC30A 515 P-54 test
17 April 1963 16:39 Canaveral LC30E 520 P-55 test
24 April 1963 20:30 Canaveral LC30A 521 P-56 test
20 August 1963 Bliss X-57 2/44 FA operational test
27 August 1963 Bliss X-58 operational test
24 September 1963 17:06 Black Mesa X-59 operational test[7]
25 September 1963 13:40 Black Mesa X-60 operational test
25 September 1963 21:40 Black Mesa X-61 McGregor target operational test
27 September 1963 13:40 Black Mesa X-62 operational test
27 September 1963 20:40 Black Mesa X-63 operational test
14 October 1963 Fort Wingate X-64 operational test
16 October 1963 Fort Wingate X-65 operational test
18 October 1963 Fort Wingate X-66 operational test
21 October 1963 Fort Wingate X-67 operational test
23 October 1963 Fort Wingate X-68 FW-5 operational test (failure)
28 October 1963 Fort Wingate X-69 operational test
14 November 1963 14:30 Fort Wingate X-70 4/41st FA operational test
20 November 1963 17:31 Fort Wingate X-71 4/41st FA FW-8 operational test
5 December 1963 Fort Wingate X-72 4/41st FA operational test
24 February 1964 14:57 Fort Wingate X-73 Fort Sill operational test
25 February 1964 Fort Wingate X-75 operational test (failure)
25 February 1964 0:17 Fort Wingate X-74 Fort Sill operational test
28 February 1964 Fort Wingate X-76 operational test
21 April 1964 Bliss AO-12 X-77 German operational test; FKGrp 12 GRAD[8]
23 April 1964 Bliss X-78 German operational test
17 July 1964 Black Mesa AO-14 X-79 German operational test; FKGrp 13 GRAD
22 July 1964 Black Mesa AO-15 X-80 German operational test; FKGrp 13 GRAD
18 November 1964 Bliss X-81 Fort Sill 3/84 FA operational test
18 November 1964 Bliss X-82 Fort Sill 3/84 FA operational test
19 November 1964 Fort Bliss X-84 3/84 FA operational test (failure: overshoot into Colorado)[9][10]
19 November 1964 Bliss X-83 Fort Sill 3/84 FA operational test
28 January 1965 Fort Wingate T1 X-85 Fort Sill operational test
3 February 1965 Fort Wingate T2 X-86 Fort Sill
3 February 1965 Fort Wingate T3 X-87 Fort Sill
12 February 1965 Fort Wingate T4 X-88 Fort Sill operational test
26 May 1965 Gilson Butte X-89 Fort Sill operational test
27 May 1965 Gilson Butte X-90 7th ArmyB4
2 June 1965 Gilson Butte X-91 Fort Sill (failure: overshoot McGregor)
16 June 1965 Gilson Butte X-92 Fort Sill operational test
6 October 1965 Gilson Butte AO-28 X-93 BRD (failure); FKGrp 12 ASP
6 October 1965 Gilson Butte X-94 BRD
13 October 1965 Gilson Butte X-95 operational test (failure)
31 January 1966 Bliss AO-30 X-96 German operational test; FKGrp 13 ASP
14 February 1966 16:52 Bliss X-97 Fort Sill operational test
16 February 1966 Bliss X-98 Fort Sill
22 June 1966 Gilson Butte X-99 Fort Sill operational test
27 June 1966 Gilson Butte X-100 7th Army
19 July 1966 Black Mesa X-101 Fort Sill
26 July 1966 Black Mesa AO-37 X-103 operational test; FKGrp 21GRAD
26 July 1966 Black Mesa AO-38 X-104 operational test; FKGrp 21GRAD
26 July 1966 Black Mesa X-105 operational test
26 July 1966 Black Mesa X-106 operational test
26 July 1966 Black Mesa X-107 operational test
26 July 1966 Black Mesa X-108 operational test
26 July 1966 Black Mesa X-102 operational test
21 October 1966 Gilson Butte AO-41 X-111 operational test; FKGrp 12ASP
21 October 1966 Gilson Butte X-110 operational test
21 October 1966 Gilson Butte X-109 operational test
26 October 1966 Gilson Butte AO-43 X-112 Fort Sill; FKGrp 22 GRAD
4 November 1966 Gilson Butte AO-44 X-113 BRD; FKGrp 22 GRAD
7 March 1967 16:00 Black Mesa X-115
7 March 1967 16:00 Black Mesa X-114
13 March 1967 Black Mesa X-116 7th Army operational test
13 March 1967 Black Mesa X-117 7th Army operational test
15 March 1967 Black Mesa AO-49 BRD; FKGrp 13 ASP
28 March 1967 Black Mesa DASO-7 X-118 7th Army demonstration and shakedown operations launch
29 March 1967 0:30 Black Mesa X-120 7th Army operational test
29 March 1967 0:30 Black Mesa DASO-8 X-119 7th Army demonstration and shakedown operations launch
29 March 1967 1:00 Black Mesa X-121 7th Army operational test
2 June 1967 Black Mesa T01 X-122 7th Army operational test
2 June 1967 Black Mesa T02 X-123 7th Army operational test
9 June 1967 Black Mesa T03 X-124 operational test
22 June 1967 Black Mesa T04 X-125 operational test
23 June 1967 Black Mesa T05 X-126 7th Army operational test
29 August 1967 20:10 Black Mesa X-127 operational test
29 August 1967 20:15 Black Mesa X-128 operational test
29 August 1967 20:30 Black Mesa X-129 operational test
29 August 1967 21:00 Black Mesa X-130 operational test
12 September 1967 7:00 Black Mesa AO-53 X-131 BRD; FKGrp 12 ASP
12 September 1967 7:48 Black Mesa X-132 operational test (overshoot into Mexico)[11][12]
15 November 1967 15:00 Black Mesa X-133 7th Army
15 November 1967 15:30 Black Mesa X-134 7th Army
15 November 1967 17:45 Black Mesa X-135 Fort Sill
5 March 1968 Gilson Butte X-136 operational test
5 March 1968 Gilson Butte X-137 operational test
16 March 1968 Hueco AO-60 BRD; FKGrp 21 ASP
16 March 1968 Hueco AO-61 BRD; FKGrp 13 ASP
29 April 1968 Gilson Butte X-139 operational test
20 June 1968 Gilson Butte AO-64 X-140 BRD F1; 4./FKGrp 12 ASP
20 June 1968 Gilson Butte AO-65 X-141 BRD F2/9; FKGrp 22 ASP
19 July 1968 Gilson Butte X-142 7th Army F3
19 July 1968 Gilson Butte X-143 7th Army F4
3 August 1968 Gilson Butte AO-68 X-145 BRD F6; FKGrp 12 ASP
3 August 1968 Gilson Butte AO-69 X-144 BRD F5; FKGrp 21 ASP
5 November 1968 16:11 Gilson Butte X-149 7th Army
5 November 1968 18:00 Gilson Butte X-150 7th Army
13 November 1968 Gilson Butte AO-72 X-151 BRD GILB-19 operational test; FKGrp 12 ASP
2 April 1969 Black Mesa AO-73 BRD; FKGrp 21 ASP
2 April 1969 Black Mesa AO-74 BRD; FKGrp 22 ASP
15 April 1969 Black Mesa X-152 7th Army F1
16 April 1969 Black Mesa X-153 7th Army F2
29 April 1969 17:55 Black Mesa AO-77 X-154 German F3; FKGrp 12 ASP
29 April 1969 19:00 Black Mesa AO-78 X-155 German F4 (failure); FKGrp 13 ASP
1 May 1969 Black Mesa X-156 German F5
1 May 1969 Black Mesa X-157 German F6
14 May 1969 15:30 Black Mesa X-158 7th Army F7
14 May 1969 16:40 Black Mesa X-159 7th Army F8
5 September 1969 19:55 Black Mesa AO-81 X-160 BRD F1; FKGrp 12 ASP
5 September 1969 20:30 Black Mesa AO-82 X-161 BRD F2; FKGrp 13 ASP
16 April 1970 20:00 Black Mesa T01/AO-87 X-166 BRD; FKGrp 12 ASP
16 April 1970 20:37 Black Mesa T02/AO-88 X-167 BRD; FKGrp 12 ASP
1 June 1970 Black Mesa T08 X-173
4 June 1970 1:10 Black Mesa T05 4/AO-90 X-170 BRD; FKGrp 13 ASP
4 June 1970 20:00 Black Mesa T06 5/AO-91 X-171 BRD; FKGrp 13 ASP
5 June 1970 1:00 Black Mesa T07 6 X-172 7th Army
15 September 1970 Black Mesa T01 X-178 Fort Sill
17 September 1970 20:00 Black Mesa T02 X-179 Fort Sill
29 September 1970 19:15 Black Mesa T03 X-180 7th Army operational test
29 September 1970 19:36 Black Mesa T04 X-181 7th Army
29 September 1970 21:10 Black Mesa T05 X-182 7th Army
29 September 1970 21:34 Black Mesa OffR 117 T06 X-183 7th Army
14 October 1970 3:05 Black Mesa T07/AO-95 X-184 BRD; FKGrp 21 ASP
14 October 1970 4:15 Black Mesa T08/AO-96 X-185 BRD (failure); FKGrp 21 ASP
5 November 1970 3:35 Black Mesa T09 X-186 7th Army
5 November 1970 4:05 Black Mesa T10 X-187 7th Army
5 November 1970 5:25 Black Mesa T11 X-188 7th Army (failure)
5 November 1970 7:35 Black Mesa T12 X-189 7th Army
23 November 1970 20:30 Black Mesa T13 X-190 7th Army
23 November 1970 23:10 Black Mesa T14 X-191 7th Army
23 November 1970 23:45 Black Mesa T15 X-192 7th Army
24 November 1970 0:20 Black Mesa OffR 127 T16 X-193 7th Army
27 April 1971 18:30 Green River T01 X-194 7th Army
27 April 1971 19:00 Green River T02 X-195 7th Army
27 April 1971 20:00 Green River T03 X-196 7th Army
27 April 1971 20:30 Green River T04 X-197 7th Army
12 May 1971 Green River T06 X-199 7th Army
12 May 1971 Green River T07 X-200 7th Army
12 May 1971 Green River T08 X-201 7th Army
12 May 1971 Green River T05 X-198 7th Army
28 May 1971 4:20 Green River T09 X-202 7th Army
28 May 1971 4:50 Green River T10 X-203 7th Army
28 May 1971 6:55 Green River T11 X-204 7th Army
8 June 1971 20:31 Green River T12 X-205 Fort Sill
18 April 1972 16:00 Green River T01 Imp X-212 Fort Sill/ARMTE

Pershing 1a

Date Time
GMT
Site ID Unit/Test
6 March 1968 Fort Bliss X-138 Martin Marietta
5 August 1968 Gilson Butte X-147 Fort Sill F8
5 August 1968 Gilson Butte X-146 Fort Sill F7
7 August 1968 Gilson Butte X-148 Fort Sill F9
16 September 1969 Black Mesa X-162 Fort Sill F3
16 September 1969 Black Mesa X-163 Fort Sill F4
30 September 1969 20:15 Black Mesa X-164 Fort Sill F5
30 September 1969 23:55 Black Mesa X-165 Fort Sill F6
1 April 1970 Black Mesa T04 7 X-169 7th Army
28 April 1970 Black Mesa T03 X-168 7th Army (failure)
14 July 1970 15:35 Black Mesa DASO T09 X-174 7th Army
14 July 1970 16:00 Black Mesa DASO T10 X-175 7th Army
4 August 1970 21:01 Black Mesa T11 X-176 7th Army
4 August 1970 21:25 Black Mesa T12 X-177 7th Army
23 September 1971 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range Imp T01 X-206 Fort Sill (failure)
30 September 1971 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range Imp T02 X-207 Fort Sill (failure)
22 October 1971 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range T03 X-208 7th Army
27 October 1971 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range X-209 7th Army
9 November 1971 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range OffR 150 T06 X-211 Fort Sill
9 November 1971 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range T05 X-210 7th Army
18 April 1972 18:40 Green River T02 Imp X-213 7th Army/ARMTE
17 May 1972 Green River T04 Imp X-215 7th Army/ARMTE
17 May 1972 Green River T03 Imp X-214 7th Army/ARMTE
17 May 1972 Green River T05 X-216 7th Army
17 May 1972 Green River T06 X-217 7th Army
1 June 1972 Green River T09 X-220 7th Army
1 June 1972 Green River T10 X-221 7th Army
2 June 1972 6:10 Green River T07 X-218 7th Army
2 June 1972 6:45 Green River T08 X-219 7th Army
7 June 1972 Green River T11 X-222 7th Army
8 June 1972 Green River T12 X-223 7th Army
13 June 1972 Green River T14 X-225 BRD
13 June 1972 Green River T13 X-224 BRD
22 June 1972 14:20 Green River T15 X-226 BRD
22 June 1972 15:00 Green River T16 X-227 BRD
29 June 1972 Green River T19 X-230 7th Army
29 June 1972 Green River T20 X-231 7th Army
29 June 1972 Green River T17 X-228 7th Army
29 June 1972 Green River T18 X-229 7th Army
18 September 1972 Green River AO X-233 BRD F2
18 September 1972 Green River AO X-232 BRD F1
25 September 1972 14:30 Green River AO-114 X-234 BRD F3 German operational test
25 September 1972 15:30 Green River AO-115 X-235 BRD F4 German operational test
11 October 1972 Green River AO X-236 7th Army F5 Ar/Ord
11 October 1972 Green River AO X-237 7th Army F6
20 October 1972 Green River X-238 7th Army F7
20 October 1972 Green River AO X-239 Fort Sill F8
21 February 1973 15:05 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 101 X-240 A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
21 February 1973 15:37 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 102 X-241 A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
21 February 1973 16:30 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 103 X-242 A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
21 February 1973 17:06 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 104 X-243 A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
6 March 1973 23:28 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 105 X-244 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
6 March 1973 23:48 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 106 X-245 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
7 March 1973 0:22 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 107 X-246 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch (failure)
7 March 1973 0:50 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 108 X-247 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
19 March 1973 16:02 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 111 X-248 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
19 March 1973 16:16 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 112 X-249 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
19 March 1973 17:20 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 109 X-250 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
19 March 1973 17:52 Cape Canaveral: LC31A 110 X-251 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
19 June 1973 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range X-252 Fort Sill F1
19 June 1973 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range X-253 7th Army F2
27 June 1973 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range X-254 7th Army F3 operational test
27 June 1973 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range X-255 7th Army F4 operational test (failure)
17 July 1973 14:53 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range X-256 BRD F5
17 July 1973 16:19 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range X-257 BRD F6
26 July 1973 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range X-259 BRD F8
26 July 1973 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range X-258 BRD F7 (failure)
25 September 1973 9:30 Green River P-268 Fort Sill F1
25 September 1973 10:05 Green River P-269 Fort Sill F2
10 October 1973 Green River P-270 BRD F3
10 October 1973 Green River P-271 BRD F4
24 October 1973 10:15 Green River P-272 BRD F5
24 October 1973 11:05 Green River P-273 BRD F6
1 November 1973 Green River P-274 7th Army
1 November 1973 Green River P-275 7th Army
27 November 1973 Green River P-276 7th Army F9
27 November 1973 Green River P-277 7th Army F10
6 December 1973 Green River P-278 7th Army F11
6 December 1973 Green River 139 P-279 7th Army F12 test
7 May 1974 19:00 Cape Canaveral: LC16 103 P-280 C Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
7 May 1974 19:15 Cape Canaveral: LC16 104 P-281 C/D Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
7 May 1974 20:05 Cape Canaveral: LC16 102 P-282 C Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
7 May 1974 20:21 Cape Canaveral: LC16 101 P-283 C Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
21 May 1974 Cape Canaveral: LC16 109 P-284 7th Army operational test (failure)
21 May 1974 13:04 Cape Canaveral: LC16 110 P-285 7th Army operational test
21 May 1974 13:18 Cape Canaveral: LC16 111 P-286 7th Army operational test
21 May 1974 14:28 Cape Canaveral: LC16 112 P-287 7th Army operational test
31 May 1974 19:00 Cape Canaveral: LC16 105 P-288 operational test (failure)
31 May 1974 19:15 Cape Canaveral: LC16 106 P-289 operational test
31 May 1974 20:05 Cape Canaveral: LC16 107 P-290 operational test
31 May 1974 20:21 Cape Canaveral: LC16 108 P-291 operational test
17 October 1974 14:10 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-292 Fort Sill
17 October 1974 15:08 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-293 Fort Sill
31 October 1974 15:02 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-294 7th Army
31 October 1974 16:25 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-295 7th Army
25 November 1974 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-297 BRD
25 November 1974 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-296 BRD
6 December 1974 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-298 BRD
6 December 1974 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-299 BRD
13 May 1975 9:00 Green River P-300 German operational test; 300th Pershing launch; FKW1[13]
13 May 1975 10:00 Green River P-301 German operational test; FKW1[13]
28 May 1975 9:38 Green River P-302 German operational test; FKW1[13]
28 May 1975 10:04 Green River P-303 German operational test; FKW1[13]
11 June 1975 9:22 Green River P-304 7th Army operational test; Improved Pershing 1a[13]
11 June 1975 10:00 Green River P-305 7th Army operational test; Improved Pershing 1a[13]
25 June 1975 Green River P-307 7th Army operational test
25 June 1975 Green River P-306 7th Army operational test
23 July 1975 15:04 Cape Canaveral: LC16 37 P-308 D Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
23 July 1975 16:38 Cape Canaveral: LC16 38 P-309 D Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
23 July 1975 16:53 Cape Canaveral: LC16 39 P-310 S D Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
24 July 1975 18:49 Cape Canaveral: LC16 40 P-311 D Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
5 August 1975 16:04 Cape Canaveral: LC16 41 P-312 C Btry 1/81 FA/D operational test launch
5 August 1975 16:20 Cape Canaveral: LC16 42 P-313 C Btry 1/81 FA/D operational test launch (failure)
5 August 1975 18:16 Cape Canaveral: LC16 43 P-314 C Btry 1/81 FA/D operational test launch
5 August 1975 18:32 Cape Canaveral: LC16 44 P-315 C Btry 1/81 FA/D operational test launch
25 August 1975 15:54 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-45 P-316 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch (failure)
25 August 1975 17:32 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-46 P-317 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
26 August 1975 18:32 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-47 P-318 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
26 August 1975 18:49 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-48 P-319 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch (failure)
7 October 1975 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-321 BRD-2
7 October 1975 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-320 BRD-1
21 October 1975 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-323 BRD-4
21 October 1975 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-322 BRD-3
15 January 1976 10:00 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-324 9FA
15 January 1976 11:00 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-325 9FA
15 January 1976 12:00 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-326 7th Army
15 January 1976 13:55 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-327 7th Army
4 May 1976 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-329 BRD
4 May 1976 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-328 BRD
18 May 1976 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-330 BRD
18 May 1976 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-331 BRD
2 June 1976 15:19 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-332 7th Army
2 June 1976 15:45 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-333 7th Army
29 June 1976 13:03 Fort Wingate P-334 7th Army
29 June 1976 14:58 Fort Wingate P-335 7th Army
26 October 1976 18:06 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-49 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
26 October 1976 19:12 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-50 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
26 October 1976 20:21 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-51 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
26 October 1976 20:39 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-52 C Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
17 February 1977 18:12 Cape Canaveral: LC16 D Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
2 March 1977 18:28 Cape Canaveral: LC16 B Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
2 March 1977 18:53 Cape Canaveral: LC16 B Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch (failure)
2 March 1977 20:31 Cape Canaveral: LC16 B Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
2 March 1977 21:42 Cape Canaveral: LC16 B Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch (failure)
3 May 1977 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range WS-244/P-336
3 May 1977 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range WS-245/P-337
17 May 1977 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range WS-246/P-338
17 May 1977 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range WS-247/P-339
31 May 1977 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-340
31 May 1977 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-341
14 June 1977 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range WS-250/P-342
14 June 1977 14:42 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-343
1 November 1977 White Sands Pershing II R&D operational test (Pershing 1a motors with Pershing II re-entry vehicle)
18 November 1977 15:04 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-344 / WS-252 / P-II R&D operational test / earth penetrator warhead
1 December 1977 White Sands Pershing II R&D operational test
1 December 1977 White Sands Pershing II R&D operational test
9 December 1977 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range P-345 / WS-253 / P-II R&D operational test / earth penetrator warhead
18 May 1978 White Sands Operational test
13 July 1978 14:37 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-111 D Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
13 July 1978 16:57 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-112 D Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
13 July 1978 18:09 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-113 D Btry 1/81 FA operational test launch
25 July 1978 14:30 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-115 A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
25 July 1978 14:48 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-114 A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
25 July 1978 15:06 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-116 A Btry 3/84 FA operational test launch
25 August 1978 13:06 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-117 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
25 August 1978 13:23 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-118 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
25 August 1978 13:53 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-119 C Btry 1/41 FA operational test launch
22 February 1979 14:43 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-121 Follow-on test launch
22 February 1979 15:00 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-122 Follow-on test launch
22 February 1979 15:19 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-120 Follow-on test launch
25 April 1979 15:03 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-125 Follow-on test launch
25 April 1979 15:17 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-124 Follow-on test launch
25 April 1979 15:40 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-123 Follow-on test launch
9 May 1979 17:00 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-128 Follow-on test launch
9 May 1979 18:29 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-126 Follow-on test launch
9 May 1979 18:50 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-127 Follow-on test launch
12 February 1980 15:51 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-131 Follow-on test launch
12 February 1980 16:27 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-129 Follow-on test launch
23 April 1980 15:04 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-132 Follow-on test launch
23 April 1980 15:22 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-133 Follow-on test launch
23 April 1980 15:39 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-134 Follow-on test launch
23 April 1980 16:05 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-135 Follow-on test launch
7 May 1980 14:40 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
7 May 1980 14:59 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-136 Follow-on test launch
7 May 1980 15:58 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-137 Follow-on test launch
15 May 1980 14:51 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-138 Follow-on test launch
15 October 1980 White Sands German operational test
15 October 1980 White Sands German operational test
15 October 1980 White Sands German operational test
15 October 1980 White Sands German operational test
4 February 1981 15:00 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-141 Follow-on test launch
4 February 1981 15:33 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-139 Follow-on test launch
4 February 1981 15:53 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-140 Follow-on Test launch
17 February 1981 17:15 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-143 Follow-on test launch
17 February 1981 17:51 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-142 Follow-on test launch
17 February 1981 19:17 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-144 Follow-on test launch
7 April 1981 14:00 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-146 Follow-on test launch
7 April 1981 14:19 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-147 Follow-on test launch
7 April 1981 14:40 Cape Canaveral: LC16 FOT-148 Follow-on test launch
21 October 1981 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range AO-212 test
20 January 1982 14:59 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
20 January 1982 15:19 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
20 January 1982 19:06 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
24 February 1982 14:04 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
24 February 1982 14:55 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
24 February 1982 15:14 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
10 March 1982 15:01 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
10 March 1982 15:17 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
10 March 1982 16:26 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
23 September 1983 12:05 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
23 September 1983 13:21 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
23 September 1983 14:34 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
23 September 1983 14:55 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
23 September 1983 16:17 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
13 October 1983 16:25 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
13 October 1983 16:50 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
13 October 1983 17:13 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
13 October 1983 17:43 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational 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 1982 14:49 Cape Canaveral: LC16 1 Test mission (failure)[14]
19 November 1982 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range 2 Test mission[15]
21 January 1983 14:48 Cape Canaveral: LC16 3 Test mission[16]
1 February 1983 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range 5 Test mission (single stage)
9 February 1983 15:06 Cape Canaveral: LC16 4 Test mission
13 March 1983 16:29 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range 6 ED-4 (single stage)
28 March 1983 15:29 Cape Canaveral: LC16 7 Test mission
10 April 1983 19:55 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Test mission
24 April 1983 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range 9 Test mission
6 May 1983 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range Test mission (single stage)
27 May 1983 14:48 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Test mission
2 June 1983 14:46 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Test mission
19 June 1983 16:12 Launch Site: White Sands Test mission (single stage)
24 June 1983 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range Test mission (single stage)
16 July 1983 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range Test mission (single stage)
27 July 1983 14:15 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Test mission (failure)[17]
7 September 1983 17:04 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Test mission
18 September 1983 Fort Bliss: McGregor Range Test mission (single stage)
16 May 1984 14:31 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
7 August 1984 12:00 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
20 September 1984 14:30 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
3 October 1984 14:22 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
16 December 1985 13:03 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
17 December 1985 16:02 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
17 December 1985 21:37 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
24 June 1986 13:56 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
24 June 1986 15:23 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
24 June 1986 16:33 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
26 June 1986 13:05 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
26 June 1986 16:47 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
24 March 1987 13:33 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test[18]
24 March 1987 13:52 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
24 March 1987 14:13 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
24 March 1987 15:34 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
24 March 1987 15:54 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
24 March 1987 16:17 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
21 May 1987 2:00 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
21 May 1987 2:19 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
21 May 1987 2:40 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
21 May 1987 4:00 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
21 May 1987 4:33 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
21 May 1987 4:51 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
27 July 1987 12:38 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
27 July 1987 12:57 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
27 July 1987 15:20 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
27 July 1987 15:37 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
13 January 1988 14:01 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test[19]
15 February 1988 13:03 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
15 February 1988 13:21 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
15 February 1988 13:42 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
15 February 1988 15:16 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
15 February 1988 15:42 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
15 February 1988 16:01 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
21 March 1988 13:01 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
21 March 1988 13:19 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
21 March 1988 14:13 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
21 March 1988 15:45 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational test
21 March 1988 16:53 Cape Canaveral: LC16 Operational 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. ^ Missile Fired By German Unit -1964. Fort Bliss: United States Army. 21 April 1964.
  9. ^ "Lost Missile Sought". The Spokesman-Review. 21 November 1964.
  10. ^ "Wayward Missile Is Found". The New York Times. 21 October 1982.
  11. ^ "Errant Army Missile Takes Mexican Trip". Chicago Tribune. 13 September 1967.
  12. ^ "US Missile Off Course, Hits Mexico". The Milwaukee Journal. 11 September 1967.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "Pershing Firings Pass 300". Flight International: 857. 29 May 1975.
  14. ^ "Pershing Missile's Test Believed OK". Toledo Blade. 23 July 1982.
  15. ^ "Army Succeeds in Fourth Attempt to Test-fire the Pershing 2 Missile". The New York Times. 20 November 1982.
  16. ^ "The Pershing II, the Army's controversial missile designed to..." UPI. 21 January 1983.
  17. ^ "Pershing Missile Flunks Again". Lakeland Ledger. 28 July 1983.
  18. ^ Glisch, John J. (25 March 1987). "6 Pershings Strike Targets in Atlantic Tests". Orlando Sentinel.
  19. ^ Glisch, John J. (14 January 1988). "Battery Failures Scratch 2 of 3 Pershing Tests". Orlando Sentinel.

Launches