Launch Complexes 3-4

• Bumper-WAC
• Lark
• Bomarc
• X-17
• Redstone
• RV-A-10
• Polaris FTV
• Matador
• Jason

Other Programs

• Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS)
• Medical support area for Mercury and Gemini Programs

Cost:

• $683,167 for the launch complex
• Pad 3 - $29,051
• Pad 4 - $29,209
• Tunnel system to pads $97,257
• Blockhouse $115,204
• Bomarc Launch Building, Pad 4A $226,196

History of Launch Complex

• Preliminary surveys for the launching area at Cape were completed on 31 August 1949. The blockhouse, launching pad, and 3,500-foot launch track areas had been staked and the area partially cleared.
• Extensive clearing operations in the launching area began in February 1950.
• Work started on Launch Complex 3 on 9 May 1950 under a contract to Duval Engineering Company. ($258,000 for the concrete pad and a paved road (4.7 miles) from then A1A. Another $80,000 contract to Ingram Plumbing for a fire fighting water system. Pad 3 was reinforced concrete pad 100 x 100' and 8" thick and completed on 20 June 1950.
• The original wood frame firing room (20' x 20') was started in May 1950 and completed on 15 June about 400' from pad 3 for the Bumper launches. It was below ground level and had a window with reflective mirrors to view the pad.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers selected the contractors and construction started on 9 May 1950 for Pad 3 and 5 September 1951 for Pad 4.
• The blockhouse, similar to that on Pads 1 & 2, was completed on 30 November 1951 and it was located about 200' from the pads. Two mirrored vision ports, one direct vision port, and a ladder to the top of the roof provided a view of the pads.
• Two concrete tunnels connect the blockhouse to the pads. They were 4' by 6'8" and 5'8" by 5'8" by 6'8".
• The Air Force accepted the launch complex March 1953
• The High Pressure Air Building was constructed in 1955.
• In August 1961, the blockhouse was converted to serve as a dispensary for the manned spaceflight program and was vacated in 1967.
• Initial erection and test of the Bumper gantry, a missile-working stand, was completed on 30 June 1950
• Cape's first major launch was Bumper 8 on 24 July 1950 from Launch Complex 3
• Total of 2 Bumper-WAC launched from the Cape with the last on 29 July 1950
• First Lark launch, 25 October 1950
• Total of 40 Lark missiles launched, 25 October 1950 - 8 July 1953
• First Bomarc launch, 23 January 1953
• Total of 16 Bomarc launched, 23 January 1953 - 30 November 1955
• First X-17 was launched, 23 May 1955
• Total of 51 X-17 were launched, 23 May 1955 - 11 December 1957
• First POLARIS FTV launch, 13 April 1957 from Pad 3.
• Total 12 other Polaris type missile (using a X-17 booster) were launched from Complex 3 before moving operations to Launch Complex 25 in April 1958. Last of this series launched 17 January 1958.
• First Jason missile launched from Pad 3 or Pad 10 on 14 August 1958
• Total of 6 Jason were launched, 14 August 1958 - 2 September 1958, from Launch Complexes 3 & 10
• Construction on Launch Complex 4 started, 5 September 1951. The pad is reinforced concrete 100' x 200' and 8" thick. Another area measuring 182' x 300' surrounding Pad 4 was paved. Air Force accepted Launch Complex 4 in 1952.
• The Bomarc Launching Building (BLB), Launch Complex 4A, was constructed between 1955 and 1958. The building was designed with a roof which would split in the center to allow raising the Bomarc missile for launch.
• Four RV-A-10 launched from Pad 4, 11 February - 25 March 1953
• The Missile Service Stand (MSS) gantry was erected on Pad 4 for the Redstone missile in Aug 1953. The MSS was built by Noble Company in California and erected at Pad 4. It was 135' high, 26' wide and 61' long and weighed 308,000 pounds. Designed to be mobile on railroad tracks, it had a 15 ton crane with 4 movable work platforms, an air conditioned work room, elevators and standby power plant. It was moved to Launch Complex 6 in February 1955.
• First Bomarc launch from Launch Complex 4, 2 February 1956. Pad 4 had a prototype launch building, Launch Complex 4A, for the Bomarc missile that would be used throughout our country as a defense weapon system. Eight were launched from the Bomarc Launching Building.
• Total of 52 Bomarc A & B launched, 2 February 1956 - 15 April 1960
• Old Bomarc support facilities were converted into medical support area for Project Mercury.
• The Bomarc Launch Building was converted to the Spin Balance Facility for the NASA Delta program in 1959. The building was returned to the Air Force in 1976.
• These launch complexes supported Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) balloon program, 1983-1989