Pershing II Nuclear Missile
White Sands Missile Range Museum
Pershing II was a two-stage improved version of Pershing la. It utilized a maneuverable re-entry vehicle and radar area-correlation guidance. By comparing the on-coming target with stored images, the missile's accuracy was greatly improved. After detonating, the warhead destroyed the target by airburst or earth penetration. Re-entry vehicles could penetrate the ground to a depth of 100 feet before exploding.
Pershing Il also had a new warhead, new propulsion sections, and modified Pershing la ground support equipment. Fully compatible with existing Pershing la ground equipment, Pershing II was still a manpower-intensive system, requiring 3,800 men for 108 missiles on launchers.
The Deputy Secretary of Defense authorized the Army to proceed with the advanced development of the Pershing II on 7 March 1974. The first Pershing II missile firing at White Sands Missile Range took place in 1977.
The increased range and pinpoint accuracy of the Pershing II were major factors influencing the Soviet Union's decision to seek the Treaty on Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces in which the United States and the USSR agreed to eliminate an entire class of nuclear missiles. The INF Treaty abolished all medium and intermediate range nuclear armed ballistic missiles. The United States and the USSR signed it on 8 December 1987, and the U.S. Senate ratified the INF Treaty on 27 May 1988.
In accordance with INF Treaty provisions all of the U.S. Army's tactical Pershing II missile stages, launchers, trainers, and deployed reentry vehicles had to be eliminated by May 31, 1991. A total of 234 Pershing II missiles were covered by the treaty. Army contractors completed the destruction of the last Pershing II in May 1991. Representatives from the Soviet Inspection Team and the U.S. On-Site Inspection Agency were present to witness the elimination process.
Each side also had permission to destroy 15 missiles and launchers by disabling, then permanently exhibiting them in museums and similar facilities. One of the Army's 15 is the Pershing I missile and launcher on display here at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
Length: 35 ft
Diameter: 40 in
Weight: 16,500 pounds
Propellant: Solid
Range: 1,125 miles
First Fired: 1982
Pershing II Nuclear Missile
White Sands Missile Range Museum
Pershing II was a two-stage improved version of Pershing la. It utilized a maneuverable re-entry vehicle and radar area-correlation guidance. By comparing the on-coming target with stored images, the missile's accuracy was greatly improved. After detonating, the warhead destroyed the target by airburst or earth penetration. Re-entry vehicles could penetrate the ground to a depth of 100 feet before exploding.
Pershing Il also had a new warhead, new propulsion sections, and modified Pershing la ground support equipment. Fully compatible with existing Pershing la ground equipment, Pershing II was still a manpower-intensive system, requiring 3,800 men for 108 missiles on launchers.
The Deputy Secretary of Defense authorized the Army to proceed with the advanced development of the Pershing II on 7 March 1974. The first Pershing II missile firing at White Sands Missile Range took place in 1977.
The increased range and pinpoint accuracy of the Pershing II were major factors influencing the Soviet Union's decision to seek the Treaty on Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces in which the United States and the USSR agreed to eliminate an entire class of nuclear missiles. The INF Treaty abolished all medium and intermediate range nuclear armed ballistic missiles. The United States and the USSR signed it on 8 December 1987, and the U.S. Senate ratified the INF Treaty on 27 May 1988.
In accordance with INF Treaty provisions all of the U.S. Army's tactical Pershing II missile stages, launchers, trainers, and deployed reentry vehicles had to be eliminated by May 31, 1991. A total of 234 Pershing II missiles were covered by the treaty. Army contractors completed the destruction of the last Pershing II in May 1991. Representatives from the Soviet Inspection Team and the U.S. On-Site Inspection Agency were present to witness the elimination process.
Each side also had permission to destroy 15 missiles and launchers by disabling, then permanently exhibiting them in museums and similar facilities. One of the Army's 15 is the Pershing I missile and launcher on display here at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
Length: 35 ft
Diameter: 40 in
Weight: 16,500 pounds
Propellant: Solid
Range: 1,125 miles
First Fired: 1982