How big is a Nike site?
You are correct that the overall dimensions of “Nike missile sites” varied quite a bit. You must understand first that a “typical” Nike missile site consisted of three parts: an integrated fire control (IFC) area; a launching area and an administrative area. In many of the sites, the administrative area was co-located with either the IFC or the launching area. This would affect the overall acreage of the “Nike site”. The size (acreage) of the launching area was also affected by the number of underground magazines and the physical arrangement of the launcher sections. The size of the different IFCs was also affected by the type and number of radars on the site. So, it is difficult to generalize about the dimensions or acreage of a “typical” Nike site since there is no such thing as a “typical” site. The overall size of our site (SF-88) is: launching area-approximately 30 acres (with two underground magazines; IFC approximately 7 acres and administrative area–about 1 acre. Other factors
