United States Army Missile Command

United States Army Missile Command. It was a Major Command of the United States Army responsible for the research, development, acquisition, and logistical support of the Army's missile and rocket systems. Established during the height of the Cold War, it was headquartered at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and played a central role in fielding some of the Army's most iconic weapon systems. The command's history is deeply intertwined with the work of pioneering figures like Wernher von Braun and the evolution of American rocketry from the early Space Race to the era of precision-guided munitions.

History

The command was formally established in 1959, consolidating missile-related functions previously managed by the United States Army Ordnance Corps. Its creation was driven by the urgent need to counter the perceived missile gap with the Soviet Union following the launch of Sputnik 1. The command's early years were dominated by the development and deployment of strategic missiles like the PGM-11 Redstone and the PGM-19 Jupiter, the latter being a key asset during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, its focus shifted to tactical battlefield systems, managing programs for the MGM-31 Pershing and the BGM-71 TOW. It was a key participant in major initiatives like the Anti-Ballistic Missile program and later, the Strategic Defense Initiative.

Organization

Structurally, the command was organized around several key subordinate elements, each with specialized functions. The United States Army Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center was responsible for the scientific and engineering work on new systems. The United States Army Missile and Munitions Center and School at Fort Sill handled training and doctrine development. Key logistics and maintenance support was provided by the United States Army Missile Logistics Agency. The command also worked closely with other Army entities like the United States Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command and received technical direction from the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command.

Major systems and programs

The command oversaw a vast portfolio of missile and rocket programs that defined Army capabilities for decades. In the tactical arena, it fielded the MIM-23 Hawk air defense system, the FIM-92 Stinger man-portable air-defense system, and the family of Multiple Launch Rocket System rockets. For long-range strike, it managed the entire lifecycle of the MGM-140 ATACMS. Anti-tank warfare was revolutionized under its purview with the wire-guided BGM-71 TOW and the AGM-114 Hellfire. It also had significant involvement in strategic systems, including the ground-launched BGM-109G Gryphon cruise missile deployed in Europe under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Facilities

The primary headquarters and central hub for all activities was Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. This installation housed critical research laboratories, test stands, and engineering facilities. Key testing and evaluation functions were conducted at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Production of many systems occurred at government-owned, contractor-operated plants like the Michigan Army Missile Plant and facilities operated by major defense contractors such as Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. The command also utilized the Yuma Proving Ground for desert environment testing.

Legacy and significance

The command was officially disestablished in 1997 as part of a broader Army Acquisition Reform and post-Cold War restructuring, with its functions distributed to other organizations. Its legacy is profound, having been the institutional home for the Army's missile expertise during a critical period in history. The technologies and systems it shepherded, from the Pershing II to the Patriot missile system, played decisive roles in conflicts from the Vietnam War to the Gulf War. Its work at Redstone Arsenal was foundational in establishing Huntsville as a global center for aerospace and defense, influencing later work for NASA and the United States Department of Defense.

Category:United States Army commands