Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the medium-range sam category.
01 / Overview
MIM-3 Nike-Ajax
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1954–
Quantity
13,714
Unit Price (current)
$215.0K↗ 1014% inflation · 1958→2025
Original Price
$19.3K (1958)
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MEDIUM-RANGE SAM · EARLY COLD WAR
13
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
65
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$215.0K
Original: $19.3K (1958)
Inflation: +%1014
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the medium-range sam category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- System TypeFixed surface-to-air missile system
- Service Entry Year1954
- Engagement Layer (SHORAD/Med/Long)Medium-range
- MobileNo
- Crew109
- In ServiceNo
◈Effector / Missile8MOD.8
- Missile / EffectorNike Ajax
- Ready Missiles16
- Maximum Range40 km
- Minimum Range3 km
- Maximum Altitude21,336 m
- Minimum Altitude1,524 m
- Missile Speed (Mach)2.25 Mach
- Warhead TypeHigh-explosive fragmentation with three warheads
▣Guidance6MOD.6
- Guidance TypeCommand guidance with radio command detonation
- Fire-and-ForgetNo
- Command GuidanceYes
- Track-Via-MissileNo
- Simultaneous Engagements1
- All-WeatherYes
◇Radar & Sensors7MOD.7
- Search RadarAN/GSS-1 Electronic Search Central with AN/TPS-1D
- Search Range100 km
- Tracking RadarTarget Tracking Radar and Missile Tracking Radar
- AESA RadarNo
- Targets Tracked1
- 360° CoverageNo
- Passive / EO ModeNo
◆Gun (if applicable)1MOD.1
▤Mobility & Deployment3MOD.3
- PlatformFixed erector/launchers
- Reaction Time15
- AmphibiousNo
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Production13,714
- Unit Cost19,300 USD
- Variants0
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1953Entered service
- 1954Production started
72
years in service
13,714
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 7 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries8country
05 / MASS Score
MEDIUM-RANGE SAM RANKING Medium-Range SAM · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
99MEDIUM-RANGE SAM13EARLY COLD WAR · MEDIUM-RANGE SAM2227UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS6PRICE · MEDIUM-RANGE SAM712PRICE · ALL WEAPONS81PERFORMANCE/PRICE · MEDIUM-RANGE SAM
ⓘ Rankings are within theMedium-Range SAMcategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
Capability of a Man-Portable Air-Defense System (MANPADS) to operate effectively in adverse weather conditions, including rain, fog, or low visibility.
A missile guidance method where the projectile is directed by real-time commands from an external control source, such as an operator or tracking system, to intercept a target.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources