TITAN MISSILE MUSEUM

The Titan Missile Museum, also known as Air Force Facility Missile Site 8 or as Titan II ICBM Site 571-7, is a former Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) site located at 1580 West Duval Mine Road, Sahuarita, Arizona.  It is located about 25 miles south of Tucson on I-19. The museum is run by the nonprofit Arizona Aerospace Foundation and includes an inactive Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile in the silo, as well as the original launch facilities. 

Officially known as complex 571-7, the Titan Missile Museum is a National Historic Site and represents the last of the 54 Titan II transcontinental missile sites that were on alert across the United States from 1963 to 1987. 

 

The Martin Company first proposed the development of the Titan II in 1958, and the Air Force approved the program October 1959. Construction of the launch complexes began in December 1960. The first missile was installed in December 1962, and the first unit was turned over to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) on March 31, 1963. 

 

Four important changes distinguished the Titan II from its predecessors, the Atlas F and the Titan I. First, the Titan II used nitrogen tetroxide (oxidizer) and unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine (fuel) as its propellants. These liquids are hypergolic meaning that they do not ignite until contact. This increased the reliability of the Titan II, both at liftoff and when the Stage II engine ignited at high altitude. 

 

Second, nitrogen tetroxide is noncryogenic so that both propellants could be stored on board the missile for indefinite periods of time. 

 

Third, the Titan II would launch from its underground silo, reducing the launch time of the missile to just under a minute. 

 

Finally, the Titan II utilized an all-inertial guidance system, increasing its accuracy over the Titan I. Carrying the largest nuclear warhead ever deployed on an ICBM by the United States, and with a range of 5,500 miles, the Titan II was the ultimate liquid-propellant ICBM. 

Classified as combat duty, Titan II crew duty was only open to men when the systems became operational in 1963. That changed in 1978 when the Air Force opened the Titan II career field to women. First Lieutenant Patricia M. Fornes was the first woman to pull a Titan II alert on September 16, 1978. 

 

Each site consisted of a missile silo, a launch control facility, and an access portal. The sites were staffed 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, by a 4-person missile combat crew who deployed to the missile sites for 24-hour shifts, called alerts. 

Safety equipment for entering control central

Heading into control central

Each crew pulled an average of 8 to 9 alerts a month, meaning they often worked the equivalent of 5 weeks in a 4 week month. Crews consisted of two officers — the Missile Combat Crew Commander (MCCC) and the Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander (DMCCC), along with two enlisted personnel — the Ballistic Missile Analyst Technician (BMAT) and the Missile Facilities Technician (MFT). 

Control Central Panels

Secured box holding launch codes

Launch key

Next you will walk down the cableway to level 2 of the missile silo for an up-close look at the Titan II missile itself.  If you are lucky you may have a retired crew member as a tour guide as I did on the day of my visit. 

Walkway to missile silo

Note: Visitors who are not able to descend and climb 55 stair steps for the guided tour can still enjoy the surface portion of the missile site. 

 

On the topside, you will see the alarm systems, known as tipsies, that secure the missile silo door.  You will be able to view the engine up-close.  In addition, there is a spectacular view of the missile in the silo from above ground.  Looking down into the 104-foot missile silo you will see the Titan II Missile standing at attention as it did while on alert for over 20 years. 

Viewing area to missile silo

Topside view

Topside view

Fueling tanks topside

Engine on display topside

Fuel tank topside

Browse the museum store during your visit.  You can purchase Titan II, Civil Defense, and other memorabilia, including pocket dosimeters used to detect radiation, rebar salvaged from Titan II missile sites, and replicas of an actual Titan II launch key. The store is also a good source of educational toys and books, sweatshirts, tee shirts and caps. 

 

Admission as of this blog article:

$13.50 for adults

$12.50 Seniors, Military and Pima County Residence

$10.00 Juniors age 5-1

           $ 1.00  Children 0-4 

 

Check out the online interactive map for a better understanding of the museum layout.  

 

This is definitely a one-of-a kind museum that gives you a very rare look at the technology used by the United States to deter nuclear war. What was once one of America’s most top secret places is now a National Historic Landmark and open to the public.  

 

If you have any interest in military, the cold war or even star trek, you owe it to yourself to visit this outstanding museum.   This was truly an informative and amazing experience.