Cold War: Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).
Raytheon began developing what would become the MIM (Mobile Interceptor Missile)-23 HAWK (Homing All-the Way Killer) in the early 1950s. Northrop developed the launcher system. The U.S. Army (USA) began using it in 1959, the U.S. Marine Crops (USMC) in 1960.
First-gen HAWK being launched by U.S. Marines from Chu Lai, Viet Nam, 1965.
Between 1971 and 1978, HAWK missiles got improved radar systems, so that they could engage low-altitude aircraft. But that was just the beginning, there were many other HAWK improvement projects that continued up until 1996.
U.S. Army (USA) M727 self-propelled HAWK surface-to-air missile system, somewhere in NATO-West Germany. USA photo, 1973.
According to the USA (U.S. Army), “The cost per missile is $250,000; per fire unit, $15 million; and per battery, $30 million.”
A HAWK missile launcher, on Cherry Point, North Carolina. USMC photo by Sergeant Rozalyn Dorsey, 20JUN1979.
A HAWK transporter-loader, on Cherry Point, North Carolina. USMC photo by Sergeant Rozalyn Dorsey, 20JUN1979.
A HAWK High-Power Illuminating Radar (HPIR) unit, on Cherry Point, North Carolina. USMC photo by Sergeant Rozalyn Dorsey, 20JUN1979.
Inside a HAWK Battery Control Central (BCC) unit, a Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS). USA photo by Staff Sergeant William B. Belcher, 04AUG1980.
During the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), Iran adapted the HAWK missile to be carried by their F-14 Tomcats, this was due to supplies of U.S. made Phoenix missiles being cut-off by the Reagan Administration. Iran was one of dozens of countries that used HAWK missiles, and after U.S. sanctions, was able to easily reverse engineer it for their own production and calling their version the Mersad.
A HAWK battery control console, on Fort Bliss, Texas. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Robert C. Simons, 10NOV1982.
HAWK BCC units (containing the JTIDS), Onslow Beach, North Carolina. USMC photo by Corporal C. Cope, 22FEB1986.
BCC units also contain the Information Control Center (ICC) and the Platoon Command Post (PCP), all using the same trailered containers making them visually identical.
HAWK BCC units can be loaded onto 5-ton trucks, creating mobile control vans. USMC photo by Corporal C. Cope, 22FEB1986.
Operation Desert Storm, 17JAN1991–28FEB1991.
According to the information released with this photo, these U.S. HAWKs are based in Al Salman, Iraq, shortly after the end of Desert Storm. USA photo by Staff Sergeant Dean Wagner, 03MAR1991.
In 1994, the USA decided to replace their HAWKS with Patriot missiles, due to the success of the Patriots during Desert Storm. In 2002, the USMC decided to replace their HAWKS with the FIM-92 Stinger.
Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) soldiers prep their Hawk for launch over the McGregor Range Complex, New Mexico, 17NOV2012. USA photo by Specialist Adam Garlington.
JGSDF HAWK PAR. USA photo by Specialist Adam Garlington, 17NOV2012.
JGSDF HAWK launch. USA photo by Specialist Adam Garlington, 17NOV2012.
Ukraine Crisis, February 2014 (NATO backed coup) to present.
USA video report, 15OCT2015, South Korean HAWK launches during wargame:
NATO Romania launches HAWK missiles towards the Black Sea, 19JUL2017. USA photo by Private First Class Nicholas Vidro.
USA video by Sergeant Mark Brejcha, NATO-Romania HAWK launch, 19JUL2017:
On 20OCT2018, Japanese army personnel launched ‘Improved’ HAWK missiles from Fort Bliss, Texas. USA-Reserve photo by Sergeant Christopher A. Hernandez.
AN/MPQ-50 Pulse Acquisition Radar (PAR) for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s (JGSDF) ‘Improved’ HAWK. USA-Reserve photo by Sergeant Christopher A. Hernandez, 20OCT2018.
NATO-Spain HAWK HIPR unit during war game held in NATO-Norway, 02NOV2018. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Menelik Collins.
Loading NATO-Spain HAWKs during war game held in NATO-Norway, 02NOV2018. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Menelik Collins.
The Iranians call their reversed engineered HAWK PAR system the Kavosh.
In 2019, photos published by the Iranian news media revealed that Iran was still using the AN/MPQ-50 Pulse Acquisition Radar originally designed for the HAWK, but this time Iran is using it for their own homemade anti-aircraft missile known as the Sayyad-2.
2021: South Korea retires last MIM-23 HAWK
On 04NOV2022, the NATO United States Department of Defense (DoD) announced the latest taxpayer funded giveaway for Ukraine, which includes rebuilt & upgraded Cold War era U.S. HAWK anti-aircraft missiles (to go with the four HAWK launchers being sent by NATO Spain).
Cold War to Ukraine Crisis: 
M1117, GUARDIAN OF SECURITY OR A FRANKENSTEIN? Originating with Viet Nam era V100, now being given away to Ukraine!
