Hurricane Matthew left its mark on the Space Coast -- including major damage to a historic Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aircraft. It's a SM-64 Navaho, and it's the last one known to exist.

  • SM-64 Navaho at Air Force Space and Missile Museum
  • Last known complete aircraft to exist
  • Hurricane Matthew knocked it off its stand, causing major damage

"Best of my knowledge, it's the only complete system together," said John Hilliard, a retired Air Force officer, and local flight and space history expert.

The 96-foot-long SM-64 Navaho, the last known ballistic missile of its kind, has been displayed outside the south gate of the Air Force Station for years, at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum.

Hilliard has a binder detailing its history on the Space Coast.

"This is the booster on this side, and it takes it to a high altitude. Then the top part separates and it flew like a cruise missile," explained Hilliard.

Built in the 1940s following World War II, there were 11 of them tested at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The program was cancelled in the mid 50s for poor performance.

"We had this thing called a hurricane a couple weeks ago and it knocked [the Navaho] off its stand," said Hilliard.

The Navaho sustained major damage when it fell to the ground. For days it sat uncovered until a tarp was placed over it to protect what's left.

Now the question is, what is this piece of aerospace history's fate?

It's not known. Will the Air Force restore it? Will it be moved somewhere else? Will it survive?

Hilliard for one, sure hopes so.

"Hopefully we will see it sitting back out there again in the future," he said.

The Air Force Space and Missile Museum is located at the south gate of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and is open to the public. A look at all of the missiles at the complex are available on the museum website.