Development In 1964 a series of operational tests and follow-on tests were performed to determine Pershing reliability. The Secretary of Defense then requested that the Army define the modifications required to make Pershing suitable for the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) role. The Pershing 1a development program was approved in 1965, the original Pershing renamed to Pershing 1 and Martin Marietta received the Pershing 1a production contract in 1967. Project SWAP replaced all the Pershing equipment in Germany by mid-1970 and the first units quickly achieved QRA status. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara directed that the U.S. Air Force's MGM-13 Mace missile would be replaced by the Pershing 1a in 1965.
development in 1964 a series of operational tests and follow-on tests were performed to determine pershing reliability the secretary of defense then requested that the army define the modifications required to make pershing suitable for the quick reaction alert (qra) role the pershing 1a development program was approved in 1965 the original pershing renamed to pershing 1 and martin marietta received the pershing 1a production contract in 1967 project swap replaced all the pershing equipment in germany by mid-1970 and the first units quickly achieved qra status secretary of defense robert mcnamara directed that the us air force's mgm-13 mace missile would be replaced by the pershing 1a in 1965