White Sands in Doña Ana County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Pershing II

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

1. Pershing II Marker

Inscription.

Pershing II was a two-stage improved version of Pershing Ia. It utilized a maneuverable re-entry vehicle and radar area-correlation guidance. By comparing the on-coming target with stored images, the missile's accuracy was greatly improved. After detonating, the warhead destroyed the target by airburst or earth penetration. Re-entry vehicles could penetrate the ground to a depth of 100 feet before exploding., Pershing II also had a new warhead, new propulsion sections, and modified Pershing Ia ground support equipment. Fully compatible with existing Pershing Ia ground equipment, Pershing II was still a manpower-intensive system, requiring 3,800 men for 108 missiles on launchers. The Deputy Secretary of Defense authorized the Army to proceed with the advanced development of the Pershing II on 7 March 1974. The first Pershing II missile firing at White Sands Missile Rarige took place in 1977. The increased range and pinpoint accuracy of the Pershing II were major factors influencing the Soviet Union's decision to seek the Treaty on Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces in which the United States and the USSR agreed to eliminate an entire class of nuclear missiles. The INF Treaty abolished all medium- and intermediate-range nuclear armed ballistic missiles. The United States and the USSR signed it on 8 December 1987, and the U.S. Senate ratified the INF Treaty on 27 May 1988. In accordance with INF Treaty provisions all of the U.S. Army's tactical Pershing II missile stages, launchers, trainers, and deployed reentry vehicles had to be eliminated by May 31, 1991. A total of 234 Pershing II missiles were covered by the treaty. Army contractors completed the destruction of the last Pershing II in May 1991. Representatives from the Soviet Inspection Team and the U.S. On-Site Inspection Agency were present to witness the elimination process. Each side also had permission to destroy 15 missiles and launchers by disabling, then permanently exhibiting them in museums and similar facilities. One of the Army's 15 is the Pershing II missile and launcher on display here at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico., Length: 35 feet , Diameter: 40 inches , Weight: 16,500 pounds , Propellant: Solid , Range: 1,125 miles , First Fired: 1982

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Senate ratified the INF Treaty on 27 May 1988. In accordance with INF Treaty provisions all of the U.S. Army's tactical Pershing II missile stages, launchers, trainers, and deployed reentry vehicles had to be eliminated by May 31, 1991. A total of 234 Pershing II missiles were covered by the treaty. Army contractors completed the destruction of the last Pershing II in May 1991. Representatives from the Soviet Inspection Team and the U.S. On-Site Inspection Agency were present to witness the elimination process. Each side also had permission to destroy 15 missiles and launchers by disabling, then permanently exhibiting them in museums and similar facilities. One of the Army's 15 is the Pershing II missile and launcher on display here at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

Length: 35 feet
Diameter: 40 inches
Weight: 16,500 pounds
Propellant: Solid
Range: 1,125 miles
First Fired: 1982

Erected by White Sands Missile Range Museum. (Marker Number 94.035.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is March 7, 1974.

Location. 32° 23.123′ N, 106° 28.703′ W. Marker is in White Sands, New Mexico, in Doña Ana County. It is on Wsmr P Rt 1 (New Mexico Route 213) 4 miles south of U.S. 70. The marker

The Pershing II rocket and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

2. The Pershing II rocket and Marker

and various missiles are located on the grounds of the White Sands Missile Range Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: White Sands Missile Range NM 88002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Rio Grande Valley.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Gadsden Purchase,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Patriot Missile (here, next to this marker); Fat Man Bomb Casing (a few steps from this marker); IGOR (a few steps from this marker); Hermes A1 (a few steps from this marker); Lark (within shouting distance of this marker); Huey Helicopter UH-1M (within shouting distance of this marker); Clyde Tombaugh (1906-1997) (within shouting distance of this marker); Cinetheodolite (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Sands.

More about this marker. The marker and museum are located on the White Sands Missile Range, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.

Also see . . .
1. Pershing II. Wikipedia

The Pershing II Weapon System[a] was a solid-fueled two-stage medium-range ballistic missile designed and built by Martin Marietta to replace the Pershing 1a Field Artillery Missile System as the United States Army's primary nuclear-capable theater-level weapon. The U.S. Army replaced the Pershing 1a with the Pershing
Public Domain - Department of Defense, April 9, 1983

3. Pershing II Launch
The US Army launches a Pershing II battlefield support missile on a long-range flight down the Eastern Test Range at 10:06 a.m. EST. This is the forth test flight in the Pershing II engineering and development program and the third flight from Cape Canaveral.
II Weapon System in 1983, while the German Air Force retained Pershing 1a until all Pershings were eliminated in 1991. The U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM) managed the development and improvements, while the Field Artillery Branch deployed the systems and developed tactical doctrine.

(Submitted on July 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. Welcome to the White Sands Missile Range Museum. White Sands Missile Range Museum (Submitted on July 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 513 times since then and 115 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.