Chrysler PGM-19 Jupiter
After the success of the PGM-17 Redstone, the US Army began working on a more accurate, smaller intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM). The US Navy was beginning work on a similar project, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), so the two services partnered in development of what was codenamed Project Jupiter. Though the Redstone was not much more than an advanced version of the German V-2, the Jupiter offered better range (1500 miels) and far more accuracy: it could hit within half a mile of its target, unheard of in the early 1950s. With a 1.5 megaton punch, the Jupiter more than likely would be able to destroy even hardened or mobile targets. This was very useful to the Army, as the Redstone could only realistically hit either large formations or cities.
The Navy pulled out of the Jupiter project due to its liquid fuel (which was too risky on a submarine) to work on the Polaris project, but the Army continued on. The accuracy of the Jupiter found an enemy in the USAF, which was already working on its own IRBM--the Thor, which was longer ranged but nowhere near as accurate, and intended as a "city-buster." The Thor in turn was subordinate to the Atlas ICBM. The USAF pressured Congress to cancel the Jupiter entirely.
The Jupiter was saved by the launch of Sputnik I by the USSR in 1957. So shocked and terrified was Congress that the Jupiter and the Thor were put into full production immediately. Designated PGM-19, Jupiters began to roll off the assembly lines in 1958, with the first going active at bases in Italy and Turkey in 1961. By that time, however, the Army was stripped of the IRBM role, which was handed over to the USAF--which in turn had never really wanted anything to do with the Jupiter. Though meant as a mobile missile, the Jupiters were deployed to fixed sites, manned by mixed American and Italian or Turkish crews.
In the end, the Jupiter was not really needed. Technology moved so swiftly at the time that it was obsolete when deployed, and tying it to fixed sites meant that there was a good chance they would be destroyed before they could even launch. By 1962, only a year or so after deployment, the Jupiters were already scheduled to be withdrawn from service--but they did act as a useful bargaining chip between President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Jupiters were indeed withdrawn in 1963; only a few people knew it was part of the deal that ended the Crisis.
The Jupiter's saga was not quite over. Several were converted for research into manned suborbital flight, carrying squirrels and monkeys into space ahead of the Mercury program. It also served as the basis for the Juno satellite launchers and early Saturn 1B rockets.
This Jupiter at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History is wedged between its rival, the Thor, and the much larger Titan II ICBM. It is one of only about six PGM-19s left in the world. I'm not sure if operational Jupiters carried USAF markings.
Chrysler PGM-19 Jupiter
After the success of the PGM-17 Redstone, the US Army began working on a more accurate, smaller intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM). The US Navy was beginning work on a similar project, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), so the two services partnered in development of what was codenamed Project Jupiter. Though the Redstone was not much more than an advanced version of the German V-2, the Jupiter offered better range (1500 miels) and far more accuracy: it could hit within half a mile of its target, unheard of in the early 1950s. With a 1.5 megaton punch, the Jupiter more than likely would be able to destroy even hardened or mobile targets. This was very useful to the Army, as the Redstone could only realistically hit either large formations or cities.
The Navy pulled out of the Jupiter project due to its liquid fuel (which was too risky on a submarine) to work on the Polaris project, but the Army continued on. The accuracy of the Jupiter found an enemy in the USAF, which was already working on its own IRBM--the Thor, which was longer ranged but nowhere near as accurate, and intended as a "city-buster." The Thor in turn was subordinate to the Atlas ICBM. The USAF pressured Congress to cancel the Jupiter entirely.
The Jupiter was saved by the launch of Sputnik I by the USSR in 1957. So shocked and terrified was Congress that the Jupiter and the Thor were put into full production immediately. Designated PGM-19, Jupiters began to roll off the assembly lines in 1958, with the first going active at bases in Italy and Turkey in 1961. By that time, however, the Army was stripped of the IRBM role, which was handed over to the USAF--which in turn had never really wanted anything to do with the Jupiter. Though meant as a mobile missile, the Jupiters were deployed to fixed sites, manned by mixed American and Italian or Turkish crews.
In the end, the Jupiter was not really needed. Technology moved so swiftly at the time that it was obsolete when deployed, and tying it to fixed sites meant that there was a good chance they would be destroyed before they could even launch. By 1962, only a year or so after deployment, the Jupiters were already scheduled to be withdrawn from service--but they did act as a useful bargaining chip between President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Jupiters were indeed withdrawn in 1963; only a few people knew it was part of the deal that ended the Crisis.
The Jupiter's saga was not quite over. Several were converted for research into manned suborbital flight, carrying squirrels and monkeys into space ahead of the Mercury program. It also served as the basis for the Juno satellite launchers and early Saturn 1B rockets.
This Jupiter at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History is wedged between its rival, the Thor, and the much larger Titan II ICBM. It is one of only about six PGM-19s left in the world. I'm not sure if operational Jupiters carried USAF markings.