PGM-17 Thor Nuclear Missile

The SM-75/PGM-17A Thor intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) was the product of the early Cold War race to deploy nuclear-armed missiles before the Soviet Union. The Thor Missile was designed to be an interim nuclear deterrent while the United States Air Force (USAF) developed long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) as a top national priority. The IRBM concept called for a missile with a range of about 1,500 miles that would be based in Europe. Three companies, Douglas Aircraft Company, Lockheed Corporation, and North American Aviation submitted bids for the contract to build the Thor missile. On December 27, 1955, the Douglas Aircraft Company was awarded the prime contract.

Termination

Under the agreement with Britain, the USAF paid the cost of maintenance for the missiles for five years. After this, funding would fall on Britain, which would have to take over their logistic support. With new ICBMs becoming available, there was no reason to continue the Thor program. On May 1, 1962, the United States announced that it would not provide support for Thor after October 31, 1964. At about the same time the British announced that they were ending the program. The last Thor squadrons were inactivated on August 23, 1963.

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