The Development of Ballistic Missiles in the United States Air Force 1945-1960: Atomic Missiles, Project MX-774, Thor, ICBM Squadrons, Atlas and Titan, IRBM, Pilotless Aircraft

Nonfiction, History, Military, Nuclear Warfare, Science & Nature, Technology, Aeronautics & Astronautics
Cover of the book The Development of Ballistic Missiles in the United States Air Force 1945-1960: Atomic Missiles, Project MX-774, Thor, ICBM Squadrons, Atlas and Titan, IRBM, Pilotless Aircraft by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781301184156
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: June 30, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781301184156
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: June 30, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

Following World War II, the onset of nuclear weapons, long-range jet bombers, and ballistic missiles radically changed American foreign policy and military strategy. The Air Force, led by men of far-sighted vision and uncommon dedication, accepted the challenge of organizing and leading a massive research and development effort to build ballistic missiles. In the quarter of a century since, these weapons have constituted one of the three legs of the strategic triad—the basis of America's strategy of deterring nuclear war—yet they have received less attention from the public and within the Air Force than the more glamorous manned bombers of the Strategic Air Command or the missile-launching submarines of the U.S. Navy. This volume attempts to correct the imbalance by telling the story of the development of Air Force ballistic missiles. It concentrates on the first generation of ballistic missiles: the intercontinental Atlas and Titan, and the intermediate range Thor. Although the effort to develop rockets has a longer history than commonly assumed, the modern history spans the relatively short era from 1945 to 1960. During this brief interval, missiles advanced from drawing board to alert status, where the next generation now remains poised to deter war. The author describes the difficulties involved in the technological competition with the Soviets to be first to develop and deploy a ballistic missile force. With innovative leadership, the Air Force succeeded also in overcoming conflict with the Army and Navy, budgetary constraints, administrative complications, and of course formidable engineering problems.

Preface * INTRODUCTION * I. PILOTLESS AIRCRAFT * Early Experimental Guided Missiles * Interservice Rivalry * The Postwar Program * II. BALLISTIC MISSILES RESEARCH * Modern Rockets * Project MX-774 * The National Guided Missile Program * USAF Missile Program, 1947-1950 * Atomic-Equipped Missiles * III. THE CONTEST FOR CONTROL * Project MX-1593 Atlas Reorganizing for Missiles Roles and Missions Controversy * IV. A RADICAL REORGANIZATION * The New Look * The Air Force Accelerates * A West Coast Facility * V. A FAMILY OF MISSILES * Parallel Development * A National Priority * Initial Operational Capability * Thor * VI. THE POOR MAN'S APPROACH * ICBM Initial Operational Capability * IRBM Initial Operational Capability * The Economy Axe * The Furor over Sputnik * Final Plans * VII. THE OPERATIONAL FORCE * ICBM Squadrons * The Concurrency Concept * Site Activation * Flight Testing * Construction * Aerospace Corporation * Deploying the First Generation * Reliability Problems * Final Deployments * IRBM Squadrons * Minuteman * Phase-out-Phase-in * Retiring Thor and Jupiter * Retiring Atlas and Titan I * EPILOGUE * APPENDICES * 1. The Teapot Committee Report * 2. The Gillette Report * 3. Major Officials in Ballistic Missiles Development * NOTES * GLOSSARY * BIBLIOGRAPHIC NOTE

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Following World War II, the onset of nuclear weapons, long-range jet bombers, and ballistic missiles radically changed American foreign policy and military strategy. The Air Force, led by men of far-sighted vision and uncommon dedication, accepted the challenge of organizing and leading a massive research and development effort to build ballistic missiles. In the quarter of a century since, these weapons have constituted one of the three legs of the strategic triad—the basis of America's strategy of deterring nuclear war—yet they have received less attention from the public and within the Air Force than the more glamorous manned bombers of the Strategic Air Command or the missile-launching submarines of the U.S. Navy. This volume attempts to correct the imbalance by telling the story of the development of Air Force ballistic missiles. It concentrates on the first generation of ballistic missiles: the intercontinental Atlas and Titan, and the intermediate range Thor. Although the effort to develop rockets has a longer history than commonly assumed, the modern history spans the relatively short era from 1945 to 1960. During this brief interval, missiles advanced from drawing board to alert status, where the next generation now remains poised to deter war. The author describes the difficulties involved in the technological competition with the Soviets to be first to develop and deploy a ballistic missile force. With innovative leadership, the Air Force succeeded also in overcoming conflict with the Army and Navy, budgetary constraints, administrative complications, and of course formidable engineering problems.

Preface * INTRODUCTION * I. PILOTLESS AIRCRAFT * Early Experimental Guided Missiles * Interservice Rivalry * The Postwar Program * II. BALLISTIC MISSILES RESEARCH * Modern Rockets * Project MX-774 * The National Guided Missile Program * USAF Missile Program, 1947-1950 * Atomic-Equipped Missiles * III. THE CONTEST FOR CONTROL * Project MX-1593 Atlas Reorganizing for Missiles Roles and Missions Controversy * IV. A RADICAL REORGANIZATION * The New Look * The Air Force Accelerates * A West Coast Facility * V. A FAMILY OF MISSILES * Parallel Development * A National Priority * Initial Operational Capability * Thor * VI. THE POOR MAN'S APPROACH * ICBM Initial Operational Capability * IRBM Initial Operational Capability * The Economy Axe * The Furor over Sputnik * Final Plans * VII. THE OPERATIONAL FORCE * ICBM Squadrons * The Concurrency Concept * Site Activation * Flight Testing * Construction * Aerospace Corporation * Deploying the First Generation * Reliability Problems * Final Deployments * IRBM Squadrons * Minuteman * Phase-out-Phase-in * Retiring Thor and Jupiter * Retiring Atlas and Titan I * EPILOGUE * APPENDICES * 1. The Teapot Committee Report * 2. The Gillette Report * 3. Major Officials in Ballistic Missiles Development * NOTES * GLOSSARY * BIBLIOGRAPHIC NOTE

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book 2011 Complete Guide to Spent Nuclear Fuel Pool Risks at Nuclear Power Plants: NRC Reports on Spent Fuel Rods, Zircaloy Fires, Mitigation Measures, Crisis at Japan's TEPCO Fukushima Power Plant by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Medicines for Radiation Emergencies: Potassium Iodide (KI), Prussian Blue (Radiogardase), Filgrastim (Neupogen), DTPA (Diethylenetriaminepentaacetate) - Drugs for Radiation Exposure by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Case Studies in National Security Transformation: Speed and the Fog of War: Logistics in Iraqi Freedom, Network Centric Operations (NCO), Transforming Joint Interagency Coordination, Modular Forces by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Thomas Holcomb and the Advent of the Marine Corps Defense Battalion: 1936-1941 - Albert Thayer Mahan, Marine Corps Base Defense Mission, The ORANGE Plan and the Japanese Threat by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2016 Perspectives on Nuclear Deterrence: USSTRATCOM Strategic Command Symposium - Enduring Value of Nuclear Weapons, Force Numbers Matter, Strong 21st Century Deterrent Need, China, Iran, North Korea by Progressive Management
Cover of the book United States Army in World War II: The European Theater of Operations: The Supreme Command - SHAEF, D-Day Invasion, Pursuit to the Seine, Rhine, Fighting in the North, Drive to the Elbe, Surrender by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Stability Economics: The Economic Foundations of Security in Post-conflict Environments - Iraq and Afghanistan, Shari'a Compliant Finance, Odierno, Petraeus, Shining Path Guerrillas by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Eisenhower: The Suez Crisis - An Appraisal of Presidential Leadership, The Aswan Dam Problem, Diplomatic Marathon, Outbreak of War, Alliance with Britain and France in Peril, Final Resolution by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2014 U.S. Navy Report: Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Behavior in the Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Creating a Hostile Work Environment by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Followership: An Essential Ingredient of Leadership - Study of Toxic Leadership with Atrocity Case Studies of My Lai Massacre, Abu Ghraib Prisoner Abuse, and Iraq War Black Hearts Brigade Murders by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Opposing Force OPFOR Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG) Part 11 - Airspace and Air Defense Systems, Manpads, Russian SAM, Countermeasures, Technology Trends by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Gangs and Crime in America: Escalating Violence in El Salvador, Background and U.S. Relations, Central America Regional Security Initiative, Sanchez Ceren Administration, Anti-Gang, Counternarcotics by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Security Force Assistance - Field Manual 3-07.1 - Brigade Operations, Sustainment (Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Wildland Fire in Ecosystems: Effects of Fire on Cultural Resources and Archaeology (Rainbow Series) Part 2 - Effects on Prehistoric Ceramics, Stone Artifacts, Rock Images, Fire Behavior and Effects by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Educating Captains for War: Deliberately Designing Professional Military Education - School of Advanced Leadership and Tactics (SALT), Development of Captains' Career Course (CCC) Curricula by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy