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These are five U.S. submarine-launched ballistic missile models of unknown scale. On the far left is the Polaris A-1, which carried one nuclear warhead, had a range of 1,400 miles, and was deployed during the 1960s. Next is the Polaris A-2, which carried one nuclear warhead, had a range of 1,700 miles, and was deployed during the 1960s and 1970s. The middle missile is the Polaris A-3, which carried up to six nuclear warheads, had a range of nearly 2,900 miles, and was deployed from the late 1960s into the early 1980s. The fourth missile is the Poseidon, which carried up to fourteen nuclear warheads, had a range of over 3,000 miles, and was deployed from the 1970s until the early 1990s. The last missile is the Trident, which carries up to eight nuclear warheads, has a range of over 4,500 miles, and was first deployed in late 1980s. John and Cynthia Heyde donated these models to NASM on an unknown date.

Display Status

This object is on display in James S. McDonnell Space Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
Object Details
Type MODELS-Missiles & Rockets Dimensions Overall: 11 in. tall x 1 ft. 2 in. long x 4 in. wide (27.94 x 35.56 x 10.16cm)
Other (Small Polaris): 9in. (22.86cm)
Other (Medium Polaris): 10in. (25.4cm)
Other (Tall Polaris): 10in. (25.4cm)
Other (Poseidon): 11in. (27.94cm)
Other (Trident): 11in. (27.94cm)
Materials There are five U.S. submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) in total. Beginning at the left are three versions of the POLARIS (the first-generation SLBM), the next missile is a POSEIDON (the second-generation SLBM), and on the right is the TRIDENT (the third-generation SLBM). All the missiles are wood with metal engines. Each is attached vertically by a black metal rod to the wood base.
Inventory Number A19981639000 Credit Line Gift of John S. and Cynthia H. Heyde. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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