UK Thor Missile - What Happened to Them?
Just found this Forum and really appreciate the Thor History. Also have an up date on what happened to two of the "war" Thors.
They were both launched (Sep and Nov 1975) from Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean to the Island of Kwajlein in the Marshall Islands - approx 1400 NM. When launched they were in their orginal war time configuration with their warheads (without the nuclear weapon) and performed all functions well within their mission specifications. Hope this answers the question "Would they have hit their target?" that I suspect many launch crews wondered on their long hours of operational alert.
These flights were part of the Ballistic Missile Defense Test Target Program (BMDTTP) that gathered early data for the US Missile Defense Program. They were launched by the 10th Aerospace Defense Group stationed at Vandenberg AFB in California.
These missiles had previously been part of the now declassified "Program 437" ground launched Anti-Satellite system operational on Johnston from 1964 to 1972.
I would love to make contact with some of the orginal RAF crews and possibly track down just where these two missiles were stationed.
Thanks again for the photos and the history.
Arnold "John" West
Lt Col, USAF (Ret)
BMDTTP Test Director