Missile LIM-49 Spartan

The LIM-49 Spartan was a United States Army anti-ballistic missile developed as an evolution of the Nike Zeus system. It originated from studies initiated in 1955 to evaluate the feasibility of intercepting intercontinental ballistic missiles. The development program was assigned the highest national priority in 1958 following the emergence of Soviet ICBMs. After transitioning through the Nike-X and Sentinel programs, the missile was finalized for the Safeguard Program. The first test launch took place on March 30, 1968, at the Kwajalein Missile Range.

The missile is a three-stage, solid-fuel interceptor designed to engage targets outside the atmosphere. It utilizes radio command guidance, integrated with phased array radars and digital computers to track and intercept multiple warheads simultaneously. This configuration was intended to counter the use of decoys and chaff, which are less effective during the exo-atmospheric phase of flight. The primary armament is the W71 thermonuclear warhead, which has a yield of five megatonnes. The system was designed for silo-based launches to provide defense against incoming nuclear strikes.

The Spartan was operated only by the United States. It entered active service in October 1975 as a component of the Safeguard system. The system remained operational until early 1976. There is no record of the missile being used in combat. Remaining units are maintained for public display at facilities in Fort Sill and Fort Bliss.