Sunday, February 24, 2013

Defending against the Threat

Surface-to-air missile development was booming in the 1970s
by Gene W.

This is a photo of the SAM-D launcher design team with a mock-up of the launcher. The SAM-D was a predecessor of Patriot Missile System. We’re standing on the front lawn of Martin Marietta’s Orlando, Florida, plant in January 1973. I’m standing in the back row, thirteenth from the left.

You’ll notice some employees are wearing ties, while others are not. There was a directive that all engineers must wear ties. Our team’s hourly employees (draftsmen) were not required to do so, and they let certainly us know about that requirement! 

SAM-D Launcher Design Team