LGM-25C Titan II

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	Weapon: LGM-25C Titan II Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1962 Overall Length (mm): 18000.0 Overall Length (in): 708.66 Weight (kg): 36000.00 Weight (pounds): 79366.41

The LGM-25C Titan II was a second-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed by the United States during the Cold War. Designed as an improvement over the earlier Titan I, the Titan II was the first ICBM capable of being launched from an underground silo, significantly enhancing its survivability against a first-strike attack. It featured a two-stage liquid-fueled design, allowing it to carry a W53 thermonuclear warhead with a yield of 9 megatons to targets over 9,000 miles away.

A total of 108 Titan II missiles were deployed at strategic bases across the United States between 1963 and 1987. The missile also served as the launch vehicle for the Gemini space program, highlighting its versatility in both military and civilian applications. Unlike its predecessors, the Titan II utilized hypergolic propellants, which could be stored in the missile for long periods, ensuring rapid readiness compared to earlier systems that required fueling prior to launch.

The Titan II became notorious for its role in the strategic nuclear arsenal during the height of Cold War tensions, as well as for several high-profile accidents, including the 1980 Damascus incident in Arkansas, where a fuel explosion killed one worker and destroyed a missile silo. Despite these challenges, the Titan II remained a cornerstone of U.S. deterrence strategy until its retirement in 1987. Its legacy persists through its contributions to missile technology and its pivotal role in advancing U.S. manned spaceflight programs.