The sign accompanying the reentry vehicle. It reads
Martin SM-68B "Titan II" RV
Specifications |
Length: |
103 ft. (ICBM configuration) |
Diameter: |
10 ft (first & second stages) |
Weight: |
270,000 lbs. at launch |
Crew: |
None |
Armament: |
General Electric Mk. 6 Nuclear Warhead |
Cost: |
$1,500,000 |
Performance |
Max Speed: |
15,000 mph |
Max Range: |
Approx. 10,000 statute miles |
Max Altitude: |
700 statute miles |
Engine: |
1st stage: 2 chamber liquid fuel rocket - 430,000 lbs. thrust 2d stage
of ICBM powered by engine of 100,000 lbs. thrust |
The Martin Titan II was an
improved version of the Titan
I. Improvements included a more power version of the Aerojet-General
LR87 first stage rocket
engine. The engine was capable of producing 430,000 lbs. of thrust and
burned hypergolic (ignite on contact with each other) propellants: Aerozine-50
(fuel) and nitrogen tetroxide (oxidizer). The first stage was lengthened by 10
ft. to provide more space for the propellants and increase the range. The
second stage was similarly modified with a 100,000 lbs thrust LR91 rocket engine and an
increase in body diameter to 10 feet, the same as the first stage.
The Titan II was also designed to be launched from within its underground silo.
The Titan I was stored in a silo but had to be raised to the surface before it
could be launched. The designation of the missile was changed from SM-68
(strategic missile) to LGM-25C (silo launched, ground attack missile). The
Titan II replaced the Titan Is beginning in the early 1960s and remained on
strategic alert well into the 1980s when the last Titan II missile squadrons
were deactivated.
The basic Titan II launch vehicle was adapted for various heavy lift and space
flight programs including the Gemini manned space program and the X-20
Dyna-soar reentry vehicle program.
The Titan II warhead on display is from a missile that sat on alert at
McConnell AFB, KS assigned to the 381st Missile Wing until the retirement of
the Titan II from Air Force Service. This Titan II RV stands as a tribute to
the thousands of ground and missile crews that maintained our nuclear deterrent
force.