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The two-stage Titan
I, together with the Atlas, comprised our nation's first
generation of liquid-fueled, strategic, intercontinental
ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Operational Titan Is contained an
all-inertial guidance system to direct the nuclear warhead to
the target. Liquid propellants for the Titan I's Aerojet rocket
engines were kerosene fuel and liquid oxygen. The HGM-25A,
formerly known as the SM-68 (or B-68), was the first USAF ICBM
to be placed in hardened underground silos for protection
against enemy attack. However, they had to be lifted from their
silos to the surface by elevator prior to launching.
The USAF launched its first test Titan I on February 6,
1959 and in April 1962, the first Strategic Air Command squadron
of nine Titan I's was declared operational. Eventually squadrons
of Titan I's were deployed at five different bases in the
western U.S. By 1965, however, Titan I's were being phased out
in favor of Titan II's which offer greater range and payload,
and are launched from within their silos. Modified Titan II's
also were used to launch the Gemini astronauts into space. The
larger and more versatile Titan III, developed from the Titan
II, was one of the Air Force's major launch vehicles for its many
military space programs.
The
Titan IV was produced and launched for the U.S. Air Force by Lockheed
Martin. It is the nation's largest, most powerful expendable space
launch vehicle. It provides primary access to space for critical
national security and civil payloads and is launched from the East
and West Coasts. Titan IV is capable of placing 47,800 lb
into low-Earth orbit or more than 12,700 lb into geosynchronous
orbit - 22,300 miles above the Earth. It has a
better than 95% operational success rate.
The first Titan IV B was
successfully flown from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on
February 23, 1997. This configuration improves reliability and
operability and increases lift capability by 25%. Advancements
also include improved electronics and guidance. The Titan IV B
has standardized vehicle interfaces that increase the efficiency
of vehicle processing. Additionally, the more efficient
programmable aerospace ground equipment (PAGE) is used to
monitor and control vehicle countdown and launch.
Titan IV with SRM
Standard Series. 1/200th scale. width 1.85" x 10.85"
tall.
No. USM4D-ST. Only $109.95
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