Launcher Area of site NY-49 in 1959 showing Nike Hercules missisles. Photo: US National Park Service
Constructed during 1954-1955, Nike battery NY-49 was located at historic Fort Tilden, a former coast artillery site which had earlier guarded the eastern approaches to New York harbor. The four magazine configuration of this double Nike battery was similar to that of its “sister” site located on the other side of the New York Bight at Fort Hancock, New Jersey. During 1958, this site became the first in the nation to deploy the more advanced, second-generation Nike Hercules missile system.
Location
Launcher Area:
Fort Tilden, Rockaway (Queens), NY
Control Area:
Fort Tilden, Rockaway (Queens), NY
Dates of Operation
1955-1974
Radar Types
ACQR, LOPAR, ABAR, HIPAR.
Secondary Master Fire Unit
Missile Magazines
4 Magazines (double site).
4 type “B”.
Missiles
Nike Ajax / 40 (initial configuration)
Nike Hercules / 24
Units
Army –
HHB/505th (1955-1958)
B/505th (1955-1958)
HHB/3/51st (1958-1964)
B/3/51st (1958-1972)
B/1/51st (1972-1973)
D/3/43rd (1973-1974)
Current Condition
Portions of this Cold War missile site remain intact today. Although the Control Area was mostly demolished the Launcher Area remains largely intact. The entire Fort Tilden area, including the former Nike installation, is now located within the Gateway National Recreation Area of the