LIM-49 Spartan

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=LIM-49A Spartan


caption=
origin=
type=Anti-ballistic missile
used_by=
manufacturer=Western Electric & McDonnell Douglas
unit_cost=
propellant=
production_date=
service=30
engine=1st Stage: Thiokol TX-500 (2200 kN);
2nd Stage: Thiokol TX-454;
3rd Stage: Thiokol TX-239
engine_power=
weight=29,000 lbs (13100 kg)
length=55 ft 2 in (16.8 m)
height=
diameter=3 ft 7 in (1.08 m)
wingspan=9 ft 9.6 in (2.98 m)
speed=>Mach 4
vehicle_range=460 mi (740 km)
ceiling=
altitude=350 mi (560 km)
filling=W-71 nuclear; 5 Mt
guidance=Radio command
detonation=
launch_platform=Silo

The Spartan, designation LIM-49A, was a United States Army anti-ballistic missile. It was a three-stage, solid-fuel surface-to-air missile that carried a thermonuclear warhead to intercept incoming warheads at high altitude. The missile was launched from an underground silo, and radio command guided. The warhead was designed to destroy incoming nuclear weapons by neutron flux rather than by blast. This very kill mechanism was, however, a major cause contributing to the phase-out of nuclear-warheads in antiaircraft and anti-ballistic missile rockets - a high-altitude nuclear explosion produced a strong electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that would destroy unhardened (i.e. unshielded) electronic devices, especially those working on the solid state component base, like transistors, integrated circuits etc. The higher integration and subtler the parts, the more damage from the EMP-induced currents in the circuitry would occur, causing damage to computers, data and communication networks, power-generating plants and grids, air traffic control systems, etc.

The Spartan missile was in operational service for only a few months, from October 1975 to early 1976. A combination of high costs and the SALT I treaties made the missiles an unattractive bargain.

pecifications

Photo Gallery

ee also

*Anti-ballistic missile
*Surface-to-air missile
*Sprint (missile)
*Nike-Hercules Missile
*Nike Zeus
*Safeguard Program

References

* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-49.html Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles]
* [http://www.paineless.id.au/missiles/Spartan.html a further development of the Nike Zeus B missile]
* [http://www.brook.edu/FP/projects/nucwcost/sprint.htm pictures, data] Thirty Spartan and approximately 60 nuclear-armed Sprint missiles were deployed...
* [http://www.brook.edu/FP/projects/nucwcost/safeguard.htm Stanley R. Mickelson Safeguard site]
* [http://www.srmsc.org/mis2000.html index of pictures]
* [http://www.duotone.com/coldwar/abm/ Mickelsen Safeguard Complex]
* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-49.html LIM-49]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/w71.htm W71 nuclear warhead for the Spartan]
* [http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/archives/missiles/missiles0017.html picture)

Related content

aircontent

comparable aircraft header=Comparable missiles
similar aircraft=
* PGM-17 Thor

sequence=
* "M-" sequence: MIM-46 - AIM-47 - AIM-48 - LIM-49A - RIM-50 - MGM-51 - MGM-52
see also=

lists=
* List of military aircraft of the United States
* List of missiles