Nike Shox Shoes

In 1958, after studies were completed, contractors were authorized to proceed with development of the new system, designated the Improved nike shox-Hercules Air Defense Guided Missile System.

Later studies were begun on the feasibility of adapting existing guided missile systems for use in countering the threat to the Field Army by enemy tactical ballistic missiles.

Studies of the nike shox-Hercules System revealed that if changes were made in the HIPAR and the computer systems, the Improved nike shox-Hercules Systems could be used for defense against tactical ballistic missiles as well as manned aircraft and air-supported missiles.

After studies were completed, contractors were authorized to proceed with the development of the nike shox-Hercules ATBM Air Defense Guided Missile System.

The auxiliary acquisition radar (AAR) is added to selected Improved nike shox-Hercules and Improved nike shox-Hercules site with dual DVST console which are not equipped with HIPAR. The advantages of the added AAR over a basic radar system are twofold. The range of surveillance of the site is increased and the system is less venerable to ECM with the increase of frequencies available.

Studies were made concerning the feasibility of incorporating a nuclear warhead in the nike shox-Ajax missile to give it the greater destructive capabilities needed. Consideration was also given to changing the nike shox-Ajax ground guidance equipment to get the greater range and accuracy required. It became apparent that adaptation of the nike shox-Ajax missile would necessitate extensive missile re-design, but only relatively minor changes in the nike shox-Ajax ground guidance equipment would be necessary to produce the ground guidance equipment for the new system. In addition, it was determined that the ground guidance equipment could be changed so that it would be capable of launching and controlling the new missile and the nike shox-Ajax missile as well. This would permit retaining the nike shox-Ajax missile for use with the new system against single aircraft at shorter ranges.

The command guidance system guides the missile by steering commands transmitted from the ground guidance equipment to the missile while in trajectory. Complex and precise ground guidance equipment is required for this type of guidance system. However, the expendable missile guidance equipment is less complex than that required for homing or beam rider systems.

After an analysis of the three missile guidance systems, it was decided that the command guidance system would best provide the needed defense. The command guidance system promised to be the most effective against fast highly maneuverable aircraft and to have capabilities fir greater range. A government research and development program was initiated that resulted in the nike shox-Ajax Air Defense Guided Missile System, utilizing a command guidance system. The nike shox-Ajax System proved capable of destroying aircraft at ranges up to 50,000 yards.

Target and missile position data are continuously supplied to a computer system. The computer system furnishes to the battery control officer the information necessary for determining the proper time to launch the missile, and sends steering and warhead burst orders to the missile tracking radar system for transmission to the missile during flight. Targets may be aircraft of missiles at speeds up to Mach 3 and altitudes up to 100,000 feet. Both high-explosive and nuclear warheads are employed. Nuclear warheads are for use against large formations of aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, or surface targets.

As speed an maneuverability of modern aircraft increased, it became apparent in 1952 that the nike shox-Ajax System would soon cease to be an effective defense. A new guided missile system was needed which could destroy entire formations of high-altitude, high-speed aircraft at a greater ranges with a single missile. After extensive studies, it was determined that this new system would require the use of a nuclear warhead in a new missile having greater range and speed than the nike shox-Ajax missile.

The Improved Hike Hercules Air Defense Guided Missile System and the nike shox-Hercules ATBM System used integrated radar systems to detect and track targets approaching its defended area. A radar system is also used to guide missiles to intercept and destroy hostile targets. Early warning facilities provide information of the approach of hostile targets, and either of two acquisition radar systems provides constant long-range detection and surveillance of the targets. The acquisition radar systems supply target azimuth and range data to the target tracking radar systems, which acquire and track the targets. A missile tracking radar system acquires a missile while it is still on the launcher, tracks the missile in flight, and transmits steering and warhead burst orders to the missile.

The Improved nike shox-Hercules Air Defense Guided Missile System is primarily designed to combat air-to-surface missiles and fast, high-altitude formation of modern aircraft with electronic countermeasures (ECM) capabilities. It can be most effectively employed to defend military installation, industrial centers, large cities, and as a first line of defense in areas such as the DEW Line and the eastern and western seaboards of the continental Untied States.

The development of offensive missiles and the increases in capabilities of modern aircraft have rendered conventional antiaircraft weapons ineffective. The need for a new defense became apparent as fundamental changes in existing defensive weapons seemed unlikely. After an investigation program, it was decided that the most effective defense would be a guided missile system.

PUB Date: 2008-1-26