MILITARY · HISTORICAL MARKER
Night Chaparral
Military
5
The MIM-72 Chaparral was a ground-launched air-to-air missile developed beginning in 1963 as the short-term replacement for the MIM-64 Mauler, a quick-reaction semi-active radar homing missile system. The Night Chaparral designation reflected a mission and deployment concept in which large numbers of fire units would accompany each forward division, creating a dense, almost impenetrable concentration of air defense. These missiles had a range of up to 30,000 feet. The Chaparral system had three major components: a tracked vehicle, a mount launcher, and heat-seeking Sidewinder 1C missiles. Beginning in 1990, the Army started retiring the MIM-72 from regular units, and by 1998 it was no longer in service with the U.S. Army.
FIND IT
Athens, Alabama
CITY · 47 STOPSExplore Athens, Alabama
Hear every story as you drive
4.8 Stars · 800+ Ratings
© 2026 MainEngine