The United States Army began a new project to replace its aging Pershing 1a missile system in 1973. Martin Marietta won the development contract for this program in 1975 after years of evaluation.
The Pershing II achieved a circular error probable of just 30 meters when using radar correlation against pre-stored reference maps. Engineers designed the weapon with an inertial navigation system as a backup if the active radar guidance failed.
The first Pershing II launchers arrived in West Germany beginning in late November 1983. Initial Operational Status was achieved on the 15th of December 1983 at Mutlingen, Neu-Ulm, and Neckarsulm by late 1985.
A fire on the 11th of January 1985 killed three soldiers at Camp Redleg near Heilbronn because Kevlar rocket bottles accumulated triboelectric charges that ignited the propellant. This incident led to a moratorium on missile movement while new grounding procedures were implemented.
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was ratified on the 27th of May 1988 triggering the elimination of all Pershing systems. The final destruction occurred in May 1991 at the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant near Caddo Lake Texas following static burning and crushing operations.