The mission of the Integrated Fire Control (IFC) Area was: Identifying and selecting hostile targets. Tracking the selected target with a high accuracy (Target Tracking) radar. Using a computer (analog type) to continuously form a “Predicted Intercept Point”

The resulting system was a ground-based, anti-aircraft, guided-missile system that could detect, target, and destroy enemy bombers. It was named Nike, after the Greek goddess of victory. The system was developed by Bell Laboratories, Western Electric Company, and Douglas Aircraft.

The Nike Hercules missiles could deliver a 40 kiloton nuclear warhead to a target 100 miles away and with their surface-to-surface mission were considered the most accurate artillery weapon in the Army’s arsenal at the time.

The Nike Hercules missile was driven by four radars located at the Integrated Fire Control area of each Nike site: the Target Tracking Radar, Target Ranging Radar, Missile Tracking Radar, and High-Powered Acquisition Radar. The TTR, TRR, and MTR at Site Summit were designed with unique, retractable clamshell covers that provided shelter to the Soldiers during some maintenance activities and a way to keep the radars ice-free during the winter. The TTR followed an enemy target and fed information about the target’s movement to the Nike Missile computer system. The TRR prevented enemy attempts to jam the TTR. The MTR directed the Nike Hercules missile once it was launched. The HIPAR looked like a golf ball and swept the skies searching for enemy aircraft. 

The radar and missile control equipment was housed in two vans. The intent behind this design was to keep the system mobile, moving it periodically to prevent the Soviets from being able to detect its location and target it. In reality, available land was limited, and permanent Nike sites were constructed. Rather than redesign the system, the vans were simply parked in the IFC buildings at each site. One van controlled the radars and one controlled the missile firing.