Program 437 was based on the much more powerful PGM-17 Thor ballistic missile . It used Thor DSV-2E missiles armed with a W49 or W50 nuclear weapon , which would destroy or disable targets through nuclear explosion or the resulting electromagnetic pulse . Eight Thor DSV-2E missiles were launched between May 2 , 1962 and November 1 , 1962 . Though the program would routinely run successful tests with unarmed Thor missiles , the only high altitude nuclear explosions were conducted through Operations Argus , Hardtack I , and Dominic/Fishbowl between 1958-1962 . Operation Argus operated out of the South Atlantic , while Hardtack and Dominic conducted their high altitude tests from the Johnston Island facilities . " Tightrope " was part of " Fishbowl " but was a lower altitude detonation
Hardtack I
Operation Hardtack I
Program 437