HGM-25A Titan I

Titan I

Launch of a Titan I SM/567.8-90 ICBM from Cape Canaveral, Florida
Function	ICBM
Manufacturer	Martin Company
Country of origin	United States
Cost per launch	$1.5 million
Size
Height	31 m (102 ft)
Diameter	3.05 m (10.0 ft)
Mass	105,140 kg (231,790 lb)
Stages	2
Launch history
Status	Retired
Launch sites	Cape Canaveral LC-15, LC-16, LC-19, LC-20 Vandenberg AFB OSTF SLTF LC-395
Total launches	70 (suborbital)
Success(es)	53 (suborbital)
Failure(s)	17 (suborbital)
First flight	6 February 1959
Last flight	5 March 1965
First stage
Engines	1 LR87-AJ-3
Thrust	1,900 kN (430,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	290 seconds
Burn time	140 seconds
Propellant	RP-1/LOX
Second stage
Engines	1 LR91-AJ-3
Thrust	356 kN (80,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	308 seconds
Burn time	155 seconds
Propellant	RP-1/LOX
[edit on Wikidata]

The Martin Marietta SM-68A/HGM-25A Titan I was the United States' first multistage intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), in use from 1959 until 1962. Though the SM-68A was operational for only three years, it spawned numerous follow-on models that were a part of the U.S. arsenal and space launch capability. The Titan I was unique among the Titan models in that it used liquid oxygen and RP-1 as propellants; all subsequent versions used storable propellants instead.

Originally designed as a backup in case the U.S. Air Force's SM-65 Atlas missile development ran into problems, the Titan was ultimately beaten into service by Atlas. Deployment went ahead anyway to more rapidly increase the number of missiles on alert and because the Titan's missile silo basing was more survivable than Atlas.

The succeeding LGM-25C Titan II served in the U.S. nuclear deterrent until 1987 and had increased capacity and range in addition to the different propellants.