Nike Hercules

American  

noun

1. a 40 feet (12 meters) U.S. surface-to-air missile effective at medium to high altitudes and having a range of more than 87 miles (140 kilometers).

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Etymology

Origin of Nike Hercules

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

But the Army was in the process of introducing a new and improved weapon: the Nike Hercules, each equipped with a nuclear warhead.

From Washington Post • Oct. 16, 2021

In the wake of the New Jersey tragedy, the Army assured the public that elaborate precautions were taken in the design and handling of the Nike Hercules and that an accidental nuclear explosion was unlikely.

From Washington Post • Oct. 16, 2021

The refurbished Nike Hercules is due to be housed in one of the barns and will be officially unveiled on October 20.

From Reuters • Oct. 13, 2012

However, it should be noted that the manning of 43% of the Nike Hercules missile sites deployed throughout the U.S. is by Army National Guardsmen and not by Air National Guardsmen as your article states.

From Time Magazine Archive

South Korean and allied troops stand guard, backed by a layer of Hawk and Nike Hercules antiaircraft missiles.

From Time Magazine Archive