Launch of a Navaho from LC-9 |
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Launch site | Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
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Short name | LC-9 |
Operator | US Air Force |
Total launches | 10 |
Launch pad(s) | 1 |
Launch history | |
Status | Inactive |
First launch | Navaho 6 November 1956 |
Last launch | Navaho 18 November 1958 |
Associated rockets | SM-64 Navaho |
Launch Complex 9 (LC-9) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is a launch pad on Cape Canaveral in Florida. It is north of Launch Complex 17. It is a small concrete structure consisting of an elevated launch pedestal and flame trench, centered on a small oval-shaped concrete pad.
It was used for ten test launches of SM-64 Navaho missiles. The Navaho was a supersonic nuclear-armed cruise missile. In addition to LC-9, Navaho tests were also conducted at LC-10 and Edwards Air Force Base. The Navaho was cancelled after poor performance in testing, eight of the eleven test launches of the final prototype failed. All of the failed launches were conducted from LC-9.
As of 2011, the concrete launch structure is still standing, but is not maintained; and the launch support equipment has been removed. The site is not accessible to the general public.
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