The Sciences - Vol. 5, No. 9 - February, 1966

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Riley

The Sciences, Vol. 5, No. 9 (February 1966) examines the development and operational concept of Nike X, an anti-ballistic missile defense evolved from Nike-Zeus. The article explains how Nike X uses phased-array radar and solid-state computers to distinguish nuclear warheads from decoys and describes two interceptor missiles, Zeus and Sprint. It also outlines U.S. policy debate, costs, shelter implications, estimated casualty reductions, and competing arguments about deterrence, military value, and maintaining nuclear balance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

HOW DO WE PERCEIVE PAIN?

THE AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINE

CRYSTAL GROWTH

OUR DEFENSE AGAINST MISSILES

FEEDING THE MULTITUDES

THE AUTISTIC CHILD

ENTER THE ICE FISH

THE INTERCEPTOR MISSILES

THE PENTAGON VIEW

THE SCIENCES IN THIS ISSUE □ HOW DO WE PERCEIVE PAIN? □ THE AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINE □ CRYSTAL GROWTH □ OUR DEFENSE AGAINST MISSILES □ FEEDING THE MULTITUDES □ THE AUTISTIC CHILD □ ENTER THE ICE FISH PUBLISHED BYTHE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 1 The SciencesVol.5,No.9,February,1966 AMERICAN technology,which created the first rifle with inter-changeable parts,the airplane and the gasoline engine whichwas to make it a unique weapon,the submarine,and the atomicbomb,has apparently scored another success-the development ofan anti-ballistic missile system. The anti-ballistic missile(ABM)system,originally dubbedNike-Zeus,has evolved into an extremely sophisticated defensiveweapon now known as Nike X.It is capable not merely of inter-cepting enemy missiles,but also of discriminating between nuclearwarheads and decoys-such as scraps of metal,metalized balloons,and dummy warheads.Nike X will have only about a minute to 1 single out the real warheads and destroy them-a feat made possible by a new phased array radar system and solid-state digital computers. # THE INTERCEPTOR MISSILES Two different types of interceptor missiles are employed in theNike X system-the Zeus and the Sprint.The 40-foot Zeus will belaunched if an enemy nuclear warhead is detected early enough.Itwill make the interception and be detonated while the enemy Inter-continental Ballistic Missile,or ICBM,is still some 20 to 40 milesoff,and roughly a minute from its target.At present,the operationalrange of the Zeus is about 250 miles;a more advanced Zeus,a two-stage missile with a 400-mile range,is under development.Ideally,the Zeus will make the intercept before the enemy missile can sep-arate into warhead and decoys,or into multiple warheads. Some enemy warheads will doubtless escape destruction untilthey enter the atmosphere,where it is easier to distinguish thedeadly from the decoy.These warheads will be dealt with by the27-foot Sprint-a missile which literally explodes from its silo like abullet from a gun,gaining speed at the rate of 3000 feet per second.This fantastic acceleration will enable the Sprint to intercept theenemy missile within seconds from its target,at an altitude of about100,000 feet—and like the Zeus does upon interception-destroy itwith a nuclear burst.Because of the low altitude at which the Sprintintercepts,its widespread deployment would demand a nationwidebomb shelter system for the general public. # THE PENTAGON VIEW Now that a relatively effective defense against ICBM's has beendeveloped (the Russians have long claimed to be able to shoot downour missiles),the question facing U.S.decision makers is whetheror not to deploy these defensive systems. Last year,the Joint Chiefs of Staff unanimously recommendedthe production and deployment of a limited ABM system.Such alimited system would require five to seven years of production anddeployment,and cost an estimated $8 billion.(A more“complete”ABM defense system might well top the $28 billion figure.)Inboth instances,the cost of a civilian shelter program would add ad-ditional billions. The Defense Department argued that even a limited system would give us protection against a “primitive”missile attack by theChinese.(The Chinese are expected to have medium range missilesdeployed by 1969,and may even have their own ICBM’s by 1975.)Also,the limited system will provide defense against a missile firedby accident,or by an enemy commander acting on his own initiative. What about the value of an ABM system in the event of a full-scale attack,such as the Soviet Union is capable of delivering?Onelimited anti-missile defense system described to Congress by Secre-tary of Defense McNamara was price-tagged at $15 billion-$81/billion for the ABM system,$5 billion for shelters,and $11/2 billionfor defense against bombers.Pentagon studies indicated that eventhis limited program would sharply reduce fatalities from a surpriseattack on our urban areas.Basing estimates o

FAQs

What is Nike X, and how does it detect targets?

Nike X is an advanced anti-ballistic missile defense system that can intercept enemy missiles and discriminate between nuclear warheads and decoys. It relies on phased array radar and solid-state digital computers.

How do the Zeus and Sprint interceptor missiles differ?

Zeus is a 40-foot missile launched early enough to intercept and detonate while an ICBM is still tens of miles from its target. Sprint intercepts at much lower altitude and higher acceleration, exploding from its silo and destroying the incoming missile with a nuclear burst.

What questions does the Pentagon debate about deploying an ABM system?

U.S. decision makers debate whether to deploy ABM defenses after considering costs, production timelines, shelter program expenses, and expected reductions in fatalities. The discussion also weighs deterrence effects and concerns that deployment could upset the nuclear power balance.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Riley