Editing SM-65 Atlas (section)

=== SM-65F Atlas ===
{{main | SM-65F Atlas }}
[[File:Convair SM-65F Atlas 532 550 SMS Site 02 Abilene KS.jpg|thumb|150x150px|Convair SM-65F Atlas 532 550 SMS Site 02 Abilene KS.]]
The '''SM-65F Atlas''', or '''Atlas-F''', was the final operational variant of the Atlas missile. It first flew on 8 August 1961, and was deployed as an operational ICBM between September 1962 and April 1965.

The Atlas F was essentially a quick-firing version of the Atlas E, modified to be stored in a vertical position inside underground concrete and steel silos. It was nearly identical to the E version except for interfaces associated with their different basing modes (underground silo for F) and the fuel management system.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Atlas ICBM Geared to Total Deployment |magazine=Aviation Week and Space Technology, 25 September 1961 |pages=143–149 |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_aviation-week-space-technology_1961-09-25_75_13/page/142/mode/2up}}</ref> When stored, the missile sat atop an elevator. If placed on alert, it was fueled with [[RP-1]] (kerosene) liquid fuel, which could be stored inside the missile for extended periods. If a decision was made to launch, it was fueled with [[liquid oxygen]]. Once the liquid oxygen fueling was complete, the elevator raised the missile to the surface for launching.<ref>{{cite web|title=How the Air Force Got the ICBM|author=John T. Correll|date=July 1, 2005|url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0705icbm/|publisher=Air and Space Forces Magazine|access-date=March 11, 2023}}</ref>

This method of storage allowed the Atlas F to be launched in about ten minutes,<ref name="csisatlas">{{cite web|title=Missile Defense Project, "SM-65 Atlas|publisher=Missile Threat, Center for Strategic and International Studies|date=August 2, 2021|access-date=March 11, 2023|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/atlas/}}</ref> a saving of about five minutes over the Atlas D and Atlas E, both of which were stored horizontally and had to be raised to a vertical position before being fueled.<ref name="csisatlas"/>

Atlas-F launches were conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, at Launch Complexes 11 and 13, and Vandenberg Air Force Base at [[Vandenberg AFB Operational Silo Test Facility|OSTF-2]], Vandenberg AFB Launch Complex 576 and Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3.<ref name="EA" />