Titan Missiles: From the Destruction of Humanity to Advancing It

In October of 2005, the United States Air Force closed a significant chapter in their nuclear book with the space launch of the last Titan IV out of Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB), California.

The story of the Titan had first begun in 1959 as it stood on alert as a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).  First developed by the Martin Company, now Lockheed Martin, it was a two-stage, rocket engine with a nuclear warhead as its re-entry vehicle.

The Titan family of rockets included the Titan I, II, little known III, and the beast of a rocket, the Titan IV.  The Titan II was more advanced than its predecessors, the Atlas and Titan I, specifically in the areas of fuel and ignition systems.

Source: Titan Missiles: From the Destruction of Humanity to Advancing It