SM-65 Atlas Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile System 1956-1965
Terms & Definitions
Acronyms Used In The Atlas Missile Program
Following is a list of terms, definitions and acronyms used in and around Atlas missile complexes. A quick review of these terms may help in understanding some of the information presented on other pages in this web site. If you know of a term you think should be included on this page, or have questions about an explanation of one of these terms, please contact us so it can be added.
ABRES - Advanced Ballistic Re-Entry System - The technology used to develope and test payload designs capable of surviving re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.
AMR - Atlantic Missile Range - An area of the Atlantic ocean used to test launch missiles and rockets from launch facilities in Florida. Also referred to as the Eastern Test Range.
BMAT - Ballistic Missile Analyst Technician - An enlisted serviceman in charge of the various electronic systems involved with the missile, such as the logic cabinets, electrical wiring and sensors, etc.
CDS - Combat Defense Squadron - The squadron established for security of the missile sites. Members of this squadron were the "security police" of the missile sites assigned to the squadron.
CGM-16 - One of three weapon system designations given to the Atlas program.
DASO - Demonstration And Shakedown Operation.
DMCCC - Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander - An officer and second in command of the launch crews. He was responsible for one of the two keys necessary to launch the missile.
DMSP - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program - A program responsible for implimenting military weather satellites.
EPPT - Electrical Power Production Technician - An enlisted serviceman in charge of the on-site power production equipment, including the diesel generators.
FOOT - Follow-On Operational Test - A test conducted after a system has been produced to ensure it performs as expected in a realistic environment. This testing helps validate the operational effectiveness and suitability of military systems. Atlas vehicles up to 82E and 174F were ordered prior to decommissioning of the Atlas ICBM from active service. The military was required to accept the delivery of these missiles to fulfill contractual obligations.
GD/A - General Dynamics/Astronautics - The developer and manufacturer of the Atlas rocket and the operational ICBM launch sites.
GOX - Gaseous OXygen - This was the result of LOX "boiloff". Liquid oxygen has a boiling point of -297.3 degrees Fahrenheit. In photos, it is the white vapor cloud seen escaping from the top of the missile.
HGM-16 - One of three weapon system designations given to the Atlas program.
ICBM - Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile.
IOC - Initial Operational Capability.
IRBM - Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile.
LCB - Launch Control Building - An underground section of an Atlas E missile site where the launch crews and generators were located.
LCC - Launch Control Center - An underground section of an Atlas F missile site where the launch crews were located.
KILOTON - A measurement of an explosive event equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT. This term is used in expressing the nominal yield of an atomic device.
LOX - Liquid OXygen - The oxidizer and one of two fuels used to power the Atlas missile.
MAMS - Missile Assembly and Maintenance Squadron - The personnel responsible for the maintenance and repair of the Atlas missiles assigned to the squadron. The maintenance work was performed in a building on base built specifically for the Atlas ICBM program.
MCCC - Missile Combat Crew Commander - An officer and first in command of the launch crews. He was responsible for one of the two keys necessary to launch the missile.
MEGATON - A measurement of an explosive event equivalent to 1,000,000 tons of TNT. This term is used in expressing the nominal yield of an atomic device.
MFT - Missile Facilities Technician - An enlisted serviceman in charge of the various physical systems involved with the missile, such as hydraulics, LOX and RP1 propellants, air conditioning equipment, etc.
MMS - Missile Maintenance Squadron - The squadron established for maintenance of the Atlas missiles. Members of this squadron maintained the Atlas missiles and performed repair and upgrades as needed.
MMT - Missile Maintenance Technician - An enlisted serviceman that performed maintenance on the Atlas missile.
ORT - Operational Readiness Training. An Air Force Operational ICBM Launch Crew performed the actual launch of the missile.
OSTF - Operational Suitability Test Facility - Site Names Used at Vandenberg AFB only. (OSTF-1) and OSTF-2)
PLX - Propellant Load eXercise - A test of the entire launch site to verify that all systems were working properly and that the missile could be launched if necessary. During this procedure the Atlas would be fueled and raised to firing position. Once the testing was complete, the fuel would then be offloaded and the missile lowered back into its standby position. This test was performed without a nuclear warhead installed or the ability to ignite the engines.
RP1 - A high grade form of kerosene and was one of the two fuels used in the Atlas missile.
RSO - Range Safety Officer - The person responsible for destroying the missile after launch if it became necessary to do so due to problems during flight.
RV - Re-entry Vehicle - The top portion of the missile where the nuclear warhead was located. It is the only part of the ICBM that re-entered the atmosphere after launch and actually reached the target.
RVTO - Re-entry Vehicle Test Observable.
SBAMA - San Bernadino Air Materiel Area.
SM-65 - The weapons system designation given to the Atlas program by the U. S. Air Force.
SMS - Strategic Missile Squadron.
W-38 - The designation of the nuclear warhead used on the Atlas E and Atlas F missiles. The W-38 warhead had a nominal yield of 3.8 million tons of TNT. This is the equivalent of 316 times the yield of the Little Boy atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6th, 1945.
W-49 - The designation of the nuclear warhead used on the Atlas D missile. The W-49 warhead had a nominal yield of 1.44 million tons of TNT. This is the equivalent of 120 times the yield of the Little Boy atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6th, 1945. Top