Titan Missile Museum facts for kids
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Air Force Facility Missile Site 8 (571-7) Military Reservation
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An ICBM loaded into the silo of the Titan Missile Museum, with a hole cut into the side of the nose cone to show that the weapon is inert.
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 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1580 West Duval Mine Road Sahuarita, Arizona |
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| Built | 1963 |
| Architect | Ralph M Parson Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001234 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 3, 1992 |
| Designated NHL | April 19, 1994 |
The Titan Missile Museum is a special place in Sahuarita, Arizona. It is also known as Air Force Facility Missile Site 8. This museum was once a secret base for a huge missile called the ICBM Titan II. It is located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Tucson, Arizona.
This site was built in 1963 during the Cold War. It was closed down in 1984. Today, it is a museum run by the Arizona Aerospace Foundation. You can see a real, but safe, Titan II missile inside its underground home, called a silo. All the original launch equipment is still there too.
The museum is very important because it is the only place in the United States where you can see a fully preserved ICBM. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1994. This means it is a place of great historical value.
Contents
Exploring the Underground Base
What's Below the Surface?
The Titan Missile Museum has many parts hidden underground. These include a three-level Launch Control Center. This is where the missile crew would have worked. There is also an eight-level silo that holds the giant missile.
Strong tunnels called cableways connect these areas. There are also blast locks and an access portal with an elevator. The entire complex was built with very thick steel-reinforced concrete walls. Some walls were as thick as 2.4 meters (8 feet). Heavy 3-ton blast doors protected different areas from explosions.
Inside the Silo
When you visit, you can see the top of the silo missile doors. Level 3 of the silo has a large diesel generator. Level 7 lets you see the lowest part of the launch area. If you take a special tour, you can even stand right under the missile! Level 8 is 43 meters (140 feet) underground. This level housed the pumps for the missile's fuel.
The Mighty Titan II Missile
A Look at the Missile
The Titan II missile inside the silo is 31 meters (103 feet) tall. It is safe for visitors to see. This is because it has no warhead and no fuel. A special agreement between the US and the Soviet Union means the silo doors cannot open more than halfway.
The top part of the missile, called the dummy reentry vehicle, has a large hole cut into it. This shows everyone that it is not a real weapon. All the equipment at the site is still in place. It looks just as it did when it was active.
Why This Site Was Saved
The silo started working in 1963. It was shut down in 1984. This was part of a plan by President Reagan to update weapon systems. Most Titan II silos across the country were destroyed. This included 18 sites near Wichita, Kansas, and 17 sites near Little Rock, Arkansas. Another 17 sites were near Tucson, Arizona.
However, this one site was saved. It became a National Historic Landmark. It helps us remember an important time in history.
The Titan II's Power
Understanding the Warhead
The Titan II was the largest land-based nuclear missile ever used by the United States. It carried a W53 warhead. This warhead had a power of 9 Megatons. A megaton is a huge measure of explosive force.
During the Cold War, the missile crew would receive orders from a high authority. These orders would tell them which of three secret targets to aim for. The crew did not know what these targets were. The Titan Missile Museum site (complex 571-7) was set to hit "Target Two" when it closed.
Choosing a Target
The missile's computer could store three targets. The Strategic Air Command headquarters decided which target to use. The crew commander would press a button to select it. Target 2 was a secret location, likely in the former Soviet Union. It was planned for a ground burst. This meant it was aimed at a very strong facility, like another missile base.
Visiting the Museum
What to See and Do
The Titan Missile Museum is located at 1580 West Duval Mine Road in Sahuarita, Arizona. You can find it off I-19. The visitor center has a gift shop and a small museum. It helps explain the Titan II's role during the Cold War.
You can take guided tours to learn about the missile site and its history. You will see many original parts of the complex. These include areas for fuel storage and restored engines from a Titan II missile. You can also see a reentry vehicle.
Special Tours
Tours go underground to the control room and through the tunnels. You can also see the silo and an antenna tower. More details and booking information are on the museum's website.
A special "top to bottom" tour is offered a few times each month. This tour can last up to 5 hours. It is for a small group of six people. You need to book this tour in advance. Please note, this longer tour is not suitable for people with mobility challenges.
In the Movies
The museum has even been featured in movies! Some scenes from the 1996 film Star Trek: First Contact were filmed here. The missile in the movie was shown as the launch vehicle for the Phoenix spacecraft. This was the first warp prototype in the film.
Gallery
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Warhead stage at top of missile in silo
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Side of missile in silo
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Launch control center equipment
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Long cableway
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Short cableway
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Missile first stage engine on grounds of the museum
See also
- Missile launch facility
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
- Strategic missile forces museum in Ukraine – A similar museum in the country that was once part of the Soviet Union.
