Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Nike Hercules HIPAR Radar AN/FPS-71 Antenna

Photographed By James Hulse, September 9, 2021

1. Nike Hercules HIPAR Radar AN/FPS-71 Antenna Marker

Inscription. The HIPAR, or High Power Acquisition Radar was used for target acquisition, scanning the horizon out to a horizontal range of over 100 nautical miles and up to a vertical range (altitude) of over 148,000 feet (over 28 miles) for incoming hostile aircraft or ballistic missiles. Once a hostile target was detected and identified, data on its course, speed, altitude and location were passed electronically to the target-tracking radars, while the HIPAR acquisition radar continued to sweep the horizon searching for additional threats.

HIPAR radars were originally housed in fixed structures at the numerous Nike sites around the continental US and in Allied nations overseas, but in 1967 a mobile version was adopted that allowed greater tactical flexibility and helped increase the survivability of Nike Hercules batteries in a potential nuclear exchange.

Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 326.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1967.

Location. 34° 39.891′ N, 98° 23.106′ W. Marker is in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in Comanche County. Marker is at the intersection of Harry Road and Randolph Road, on the right when traveling east on Harry Road. The marker

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is located in the southeast section of Missile Park at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Sill OK 73503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sprint Missile (here, next to this marker); MIM-23 Hawk (a few steps from this marker); MIM-14 Nike Hercules (a few steps from this marker); MIM-3 Nike Ajax (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed X-7A1 Target Drone (within shouting distance of this marker); Iraqi SZ-60 57mm Anti Aircraft Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); M51 Skysweeper 75mm Anti Aircraft Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); US M2 90mm Anti Aircraft Gun (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Sill.

More about this marker. The marker and museum are located on Fort Sill, an active military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate photo identification is required for access to the post.

Also see . . . U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Submitted on September 24, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Nike Hercules HIPAR Radar AN/FPS-71 Antenna and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, September 9, 2021

2. The Nike Hercules HIPAR Radar AN/FPS-71 Antenna and Marker

The view of the Nike Hercules HIPAR Radar AN/FPS-71 Antenna image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, September 9, 2021

3. The view of the Nike Hercules HIPAR Radar AN/FPS-71 Antenna

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 787 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 24, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.