They hit it, or at least the hydrazine tank.

Folks, I remember too damned much in the way of technology failing. Like the early F-111s, where in a dive the fold-back wings were found to fold way, way back -- like off the plane. Or the Navy's attempt to launch the Vanguard satellite. Or any one of a number of other things.

Teribus, this missile was launched from a surface ship. And I think that the US Navy's subs should have and should be the primary launch platform for ICBMs, not the ground-based silos of the USAF. Subs would have a better survival rate in a nuclear war. But mine was not to decide....