During the height of the Cold War, both sides developed mobile missile launchers that could transport nuclear-capable theater-level weapons to different launch points, making them nearly invulnerable to counter battery fire.
The U.S. Army replaced the Pershing 1a with the Pershing II Weapon System in 1983 while the German Air Force retained the Pershing 1a until all Pershings were eliminated in 1991. The U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM) managed the development and improvements while the Field Artillery Branch deployed the systems and developed tactical doctrine.
Because of SALT II agreements, no new launchers could be built, therefore the Pershing 1a M790 launchers were modified into the Pershing II M1003 launchers. The functions of the vehicle mounted programmer test station needed for the older systems were consolidated into the Launch Control Assembly (LCA) in the Ground Integrated Electronics Unit (GIEU) on the side of the launcher. The warhead and radar sections were carried as an assembly on a pallet that rotated to mate with the main missile.
There were two prime movers for the launcher, both with a crane used for missile assembly and a generator to provide power for the launcher and missile. The U.S units used the M983 HEMTT with a Hiab 8001 crane and a 30 KW generator. Tactical units in Germany used the M1001 MAN tractor with an Atlas Maschinen GmbH AK4300 M5 crane and a 30 KW generator. Since the new guidance system was self-orienting, the launcher could be emplaced on any surveyed site and the missile launched within minutes of initial set up.
Never one to shy away from the more obsequious subjects, Modelcollect has developed a sharp-looking replica of the Pershing II mobile missile launcher, one that is ferried around using the M1001 MAN tractor (AS72101). The manufacturer will likely offer a similar system using the US-built M983 HEMTT, so there may be several versions to choose from, thus turning the Cold War hot this summer, at least from a diecast viewpoint.