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MIM-14 Nike Hercules
Western Electric · Surface-to-Air · USA · Early Jet (1946–1969)
The Nike Hercules, initially designated SAM-A-25 and later MIM-14, was a surface-to-air missile (SAM) used by U.S. and NATO armed forces for medium- and high-altitude long-range air defense. It was normally armed with the W31 nuclear warhead, but could also be fitted with a conventional warhead for export use. Its warhead also allowed it to be used in a secondary surface-to-surface role, and the system also demonstrated its ability to hit other short-range missiles in flight.
Specifications
- Category
- Missiles
- Sub-Category
- SAM
- Domain
- Defence
- Era
- Early Jet (1946–1969)
- Country
- USA
- Manufacturer
- Western Electric
- Co-Manufacturer
- Douglas Aircraft
- Operator
- USA/NATO
- Primary Role
- Surface-to-Air
- Status
- Retired
- Service Entry
- 1958
- Produced
- 25000
- Propulsion
- Rocket
- Engine
- Thiokol M30 solid-fuel cluster booster + Hercules sustainer
- Thrust / Power
- None (rocket)
- Launch
- Ground-launched
- Length (ft)
- 26.9
- Wingspan (ft)
- 6.6
- Empty Weight (lb)
- 5200
- MTOW (lb)
- 10710
- Payload (lb)
- 1106
- Endurance (hr)
- 0.03
- Service Ceiling (ft)
- 150000
- Range (mi)
- 87
- Max Speed (mph)
- 2800
- Max Speed (Mach)
- 3.65
- Armament
- Nuclear W31 / conventional blast-frag