Hawk missile

The MIM-23 Hawk missile system, introduced by the United States Army in 1959, was a medium-range, surface-to-air missile designed to provide air defense against low to medium altitude aircraft. Operated by various units worldwide, Hawk battalions saw extensive deployment during the Cold War, protecting NATO and allied forces in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The system underwent several upgrades, notably the Improved Hawk (I-Hawk) in the 1970s, which enhanced its radar and missile capabilities. While gradually phased out in the U.S. military by the 1990s, Hawk units continued to serve with allied forces, participating in conflicts such as the Yom Kippur War and the Gulf War.