The
Nike Hercules (initially designated
SAM-A-25, and later
MIM-14), was a
solid fuel propelled two-stage
surface-to-air missile, used by U.S. and
NATO armed forces for medium- and high-altitude long-range
air defense. It was normally armed with the
W31 nuclear warhead, but could also be fitted with a conventional warhead for export use. Its warhead also allowed it to be used in a
surface-to-surface role, and the system also demonstrated its ability to hit other short-range missiles in flight. Hercules was replaced in the long-range anti-aircraft role by the higher performance and considerably more mobile
MIM-104 Patriot.