Titan I Missile System
Summary of development and deployment
Overview
History of the development of the Titan I program
Construction of a Titan I site
Launch of a Titan I Missile
Typical Site Configuration
Site Layout
Site Locations
Missile Silo Coordinates
Upgrading the Titan I
History of missiles at Ellsworth AFB, which had both Titan I and Minuteman Missiles
History of the Titan I at Beale AFB
History of the Titan I at Larson AFB
History of the Titan I at Lowry AFB
History of the Titan I at Mountain Home AFB
Links
The rest of the Titan Missile story can be found in the
Titan II section.
Background
The Titan I was one of the United States' first strategic, intercontinental ballistic missiles. The 98-foot-long, two-staged missile was fueled by kerosene and liquid oxygen, and was designed to carry nuclear warheads.
Developed in the late 1950's, the first Titan I missiles became operational in April of 1962. During the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962, the Titans were readied for launch as a deterrent in the crisis. The Titan I's had a short operational life and were phased out by 1965.
Each individual Titan I missile complex contained three underground launch silos, that each housed one Titan I missile. Launch silos are 160-feet deep and 40-feet in diameter. Other underground structures include a powerhouse, control center, radio antennas and a myriad of tunnels. Complexes covered between 30 to 60 acres.