The American Anti-Ballistic Missile That Traveled So Fast a Plasma Ring Formed Around It

Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

After years of speculation and careful planning, the US military initiated the development of an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) that was engineered to intercept Soviet re-entry vehicles (RVs). Known as the “Sprint missile,” the weapon became operational within the US Army between 1975-76, showcasing an impressive capability to attain extraordinary speeds within mere seconds.

Unfortunately, the effectiveness of this ABM proved to be short-lived, as changes in policy ultimately led to its discontinuation.

Last-ditch defensive strategy

Nike Zeus A being launched
Nike Zeus A test launch. (Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

As early as the 1940s, the US military initiated exploratory efforts to devise a weapon capable of intercepting theater ballistic missiles (TBMs). In 1955, the Army awarded a contract to Bell Telephone Laboratories to tackle this challenge. The company’s assessment revealed that developing an anti-ballistic missile tailored to thwart TBMs was technologically feasible, with minor adaptations to the Nike Hercules surface-to-air missile (SAM).

The development of the Nike Zeus began in 1955 under Bell’s guidance. This undertaking involved a number of enhancements, including robust radar systems designed to detect intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) well in advance, enabling effective countermeasures. Additionally, it incorporated faster and more advanced computer technology.

Rigorous testing of the Nike Zeus took place in 1959 and, three years later, a base was established on Kwajalein Island. The anti-ballistic missile demonstrated its success by intercepting test missiles and precisely targeting low-flying satellites.

Issues with the Nike Zeus

Nike Zeus B being launched
Nike Zeus B launch. (Photo Credit: US Army, Redstone Arsenal / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

During development of the Nike Zeus, it became clear the ABM had quite a few issues that made it easy to defeat.

As it used 1950s-era mechanical radar, the number of targets it could track were limited. A report at the time even suggested that four warheads had a 90 percent chance of destroying a Nike Zeus base. This initially didn’t seem like a big issue, but, as ICBMs became less expensive to produce, the threat of the Soviet Union using them against the United States became more probable.

Over time, even more problems presented themselves. After nuclear testing in space in 1958, it was found radiation from warhead detonations would blanket large areas, blocking radar signals above an altitude of 60 km. If the Soviets caused an explosion above a Nike Zeus site, they could prevent observation until it too late to launch a counterattack.

Additionally, they could use radar reflectors on their warheads, which created multiple false targets.

Replacing the Nike Zeus with the Nike-X

Aerial view of a Nike-X deployment arrangement
Arrangement of a Nike-X deployment. (Photo Credit: Bell Labs – ABM Research and Development / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

Then-Secretary of Defense Neil H. McElroy commissioned the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) to study the issues. It concluded that both the high-altitude nuclear explosions and radar decoys stopped working in the lower atmosphere, where thickening occurred. To bypass this, the recommendation was to wait until the warhead descended below 60 km, after which they could, once again, be detected by radar.

However, this posed its own problem. These warheads would be traveling at speeds of Mach 24, so similar-speed missiles would be needed to prevent them from reaching their targets.

Following this, McElroy’s replacement, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, suggested to President John F. Kennedy that he should use the funds allocated to the Nike Zeus to develop the ARPA’s system. His argument convinced the president, leading to the development of the Nike-X.

Introducing the Sprint missile

Sprint missile being launched
Sprint missile launch. (Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

The Sprint missile became the focal point of the Nike-X program. Equipped with a W66 thermonuclear warhead, it was designed to attack re-entry vehicles (RVs) at 60 kilometers.

The Sprint was 27 feet in length and weighed 7,500 pounds. To successfully launch, the cover was blown off the silo in which the missile was held, after which it was ejected by an explosive-driven piston. Once clear of the silo, it angled itself toward its target, after which it was controlled by ground-based radio command guidance. This tracked incoming RVs using phased array radar and guided the missile to its target, destroying it through neutron flux.

The performance had be incredible. As such, the missile was developed to accelerate at 100 g and reach Mach 10 in just five seconds. As the missile reached such a high velocity at relatively low altitudes, its skin temperature could reach up to 6,200 degrees Fahrenheit. An ablative shield was used to counter this, and a unique plasma was formed around the missile that caused it to glow white as it flew.

Powerful radio signals were required to penetrate the plasma and guide the weapon to its target.

HIBEX missile

HIBEX missile display
HIBEX missile display at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. (Photo Credit: White Sands Missile Range Museum / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

The High Boost Experiment (HIBEX) missile is considered a kind of predecessor to the Sprint missile, as well as its competitor. It was another high-acceleration missile designed in the early 1960s, and it actually provided a technological transfer to the Sprint development program.

Unlike the Sprint missile, the HIBEX had a high initial acceleration rate of nearly 400 g. Its role was to intercept RVs at an even lower altitude – as low as 20,000 feet. Unlike the Sprint, it featured a star-grain “composite modified double-base propellant” that was created by combining zirconium staples with aluminium, double-base smokeless powder and ammonium perchlorate.

Sprint II missile and the end of the Nike-X program

Sprint missile within a silo
Sprint missile in its silo. (Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

Eventually, the Nike-X was transformed into the Safeguard Program, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory began looking at alternative warheads for a new design. Soon after, work on an improved Sprint II missile began.

In 1971, the Sprint II was incorporated into Safeguard as a means of protecting Minuteman missile fields. Its interceptor had a slightly-reduced launch dispersion, compared to the missile’s predecessor, which increased hardness while decreasing miss distance, making it more accurate.

Los Alamos continued to work on optimizing the design. However, the two missiles were operational for only a short period of time.

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Changes in US and Soviet ABM policy came about during the 1970s, which placed the efficacy of the Safeguard Program into question. It became considered unnecessary, as well as expensive, and was ultimately canceled. It’s unclear when work on the Sprint II was officially canceled, but reports continued to come out into 1977.

Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder!

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