Continental Defense in the Eisenhower Era: Nuclear Antiaircraft Arms and the Cold War

Thousands of nuclear antiaircraft arms were designed, tested and deployed in the United States during Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidency. These Army "Nike-Hercules" missiles, Air Force "Genie" rockets, and "BOMARC" and "Falcon" missiles were meant to counter a raid by attacking Soviet bombers. U.S. policy makers believed that the American weapons could safely compensate for technological limitations which otherwise made it difficult to destroy high flying, fast moving airplanes. By recounting official actions, doctrinal decisions, and public policies, Continental Defense in the Eisenhower Era traces this armament from conception through deployment. It also discusses the widespread acceptance of these weapons by the American public, a result, in part, of being touted in news releases, and featured in films and television episodes at the time.