1.
TV MISSILE BEING LOADED.
0.04

2.
GV DITTO.
0.10

3.
MV OFFICER LOOKS ON.
0.12

4.
SV MISSILE LOADED ON TO LAUNCHING PAD.
0.15

5.
GV MISSILE-CARRYING VEHICLE.
0.22

6.
MV MISSILE.
0.26

7.
LV MISSILE RAISED.
0.35

8.
LV MISSILE IN UPRIGHT POSITION.
0.40

9.
LV MISSILE LAUNCHED.
0.53



Initials DE/V/CR/KN



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: AMERICAN LAND FORCES IN EUROPE ARE TO RECEIVE THEIR FIRST PERSHING TACTICAL NUCLEAR MISSILES NEXT MONTH. THIS IS PART OF A LONG RANGE PROGRAMME OF MODERNISATION BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. OFFICIALS IN THE INTERESTS OF MODERNISATION AND WILL NOT LEAD TO A FURTHER WITHDRAWAL OF AMERICAN TROOPS BASED IN EUROPE.

THE PERSHING, WHICH IS A SOLID-FUEL MISSILE, WILL REPLACE THE NOW OBSOLETE REDSTONE MISSILES. THE NEW MISSILE IS DESCRIBED AS A "SHOOT AND SCOOT" WEAPON. IT IS A TWO-STAGE ROCKET WITH A RANGE OF UP TO ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED MILES. ITS GREAT MOBILITY MAKES IT SUPERIOR TO THE CUMBERSOME REDSTONE. THE PERSHING CAN BE CARRIED - WITH ITS LAUNCHING EQUIPMENT - BY LORRY, OR EVEN BY HELICOPTER.