The origin of the APL Strategic Systems Department

In 1957, the Navy's Special Projects Office approached APL for assistance i n developing the Polaris Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Strategic Weapon Sys tem. The primary task was to define and execute a comprehensive FBM test an d evaluation program to validate the integrated weapon system design. The l aunch of Sputnik created a widespread view that a "missile gap" existed wit h the Soviet Union. In response, the United States accelerated all ballisti c missile programs and assigned the highest national priority to Polaris. O n I August 1958, the APL Polaris Division, the forerunner of our Strategic Systems Department, was created to focus dedicated support on this national priority program. This article discusses the origin of the FBM Program, th e roots of our involvement in it, details of significant contributions made by APL, and the evolution of programs that define our Department today.