The Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum’s Titan II Missile

Built in 1967, the Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) displayed at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum is one of only five on exhibit in the world.

 Developed to deter a Soviet nuclear attack on the United States, over 140 Titan II missiles stood guard capable of striking a target more than 9,300 miles away from its launch site.  Each missile carried a nine-megaton nuclear warhead, the single largest warhead ever fitted to an American nuclear weapon.

The Titan II’s reliability and lift capacity, however, made it extremely useful for more peaceful missions. The Titan II was instrumental during Project Gemini, helping NASA develop the skills necessary to reach the Moon and aiding in the development of the long-duration missions crucial to the Apollo program.  

Subsequently, the Titan II became the predecessor for the heavy-lift space launch vehicles (SLVs), as seen within the space program for over four decades.On loan from the United States Air Force, this particular Titan II (number B108) entered active duty in December of 1968.  

After being fitted with a single W-53 warhead, this Titan II was placed into a hardened silo near Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, by the the 308th Strategic Missile Wing.  It remained on active duty until March 24, 1986.  

After 1986 Challenger disaster, the United States Air Force contracted Martin Marietta Astronautics to refurbish fourteen Titan II ICBMs for use as SLVs; the Titan II SLVs launched between 1988 and 2003, flying with 100% success rate.  

On June 23rd, 1989 this Titan II became mission-ready to carry satellites into low-Earth orbit.  It is the only remaining example of a Titan II SLV on display worldwide.

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