U.S. MGM-31A Pershing II

U.S. MGM-31A Pershing II. . The Pershing II was a powerful long-range strategic nuclear missile of the last decade of the Cold War. With a range of 1,100 miles, it was the longest range weapon in U.S. Army Field Artillery history. In 1983, the new Pershing II Missile System was introduced to replace the Pershing IA Missile System. The Pershing II continued to utilize the existing missile, but introduced a new terminally guided re-entry vehicle that could be guided to the target replacing the older ballistic warhead. The margin of error was reduced from 1,200 feet to a 120 foot radius. Consequently, a smaller warhead was fitted to reduce intentional damage to areas surrounding the target. The two-stage, solid propellant missile could be maneuvered to overfly the target, then return to attack it. It could also perform evasive maneuvers to protect itself from enemy counter-measures. The Pershing II Missile System was a decisive factor in the adoption of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty between the Soviet Union and the United States in 1991 banning long range missile systems. Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev credited the deployment of the Pershing II Missile by President Ronald Reagan with bringing the Cold War to an end., Length - 34.8 ft.- 10.5 m , Weight - 16,451 lbs. - 7,462 kg , Range - 1,118 miles - 1,816 km , Warhead - 5-80 kT Nuclear , CCN# 127075, 127076