Army - Destruction of Spartan Missile Motors

Описание: The Army has begun the demolition of 22 Spartan missile motors at Anniston Army Deport. The motors weigh about 12,000 pounds each and the project that will take about six months. One or two motors will be destroyed each week.

The missile, designed for an anti-ballistic missile system in the 1960s, was never used in combat. The motors have been at the Army Depot for the past 32 years and present a hazard for further deterioration.

Lt. Col. Garry McClendon, Munitions Operator Supervisor at Anniston Army Depot, said the procedure began as scheduled at 6 a.m. Friday and the firing that destroyed the first motor began at 10 a.m.

The Army said each motor will be loaded onto a carrier, trucked five miles at about 10 mph to the site, where it will be destroyed through what is called a firing, not an explosion, leaving only residual debris.

The motor firing will be initiated by remote from a safe area after all project workers have left the area.