This is a Mark 11 reentry vehicle nose cap, made by Avco. Mark 11s housed the single nuclear warhead on U.S. Air Force Minuteman I and II intercontinental ballistic missiles, which were deployed from the 1960s into the 1990s. This nose cap was flown on a Minuteman test flight from Vandenberg Air Force Base to Kwajalein on an unknown date. It had temperature sensors on the inner aluminum shell that were monitored during the flight. After its retrieval at Kwajalein, samples were taken from the outer ablative coating for laboratory testing.
Textron Systems donated this artifact to the Museum in 2004.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
CRAFT-Missile & Rocket Parts
Manufacturer
Avco Corportation
Dimensions
Overall: 10in. x 1ft 5in. (25.4 x 43.18cm)
Materials
Silica Ablative
Phenolic Nylon
Ceramic
Anodized Aluminum
Steel
Inventory Number
A20050003000
Credit Line
Gift of Textron Systems Corp.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.