Why did the United States not seriously develop Anti Aircraft Missiles?

Question

During the Cold War, the United States did not seem to actively develop anti-aircraft missiles. They seem to be cheaper, safer and easier to deploy than fighters for defensive purposes. Why did the US not develop them?

Answer 1

The simple answer is that the United States, along with the Soviet Union, did indeed develop and deploy anti-aircraft missile systems. Among the first attempts to use missiles in an anti-aircraft role were German efforts in World War II, but none of these experimental weapons were perfected before the end of the Third Reich. While both the U.S. and Soviet armed forces took notice of these efforts, anti-aircraft defense systems in the early years of the Cold War remained based on AA artillery (the capabilities of which were developed to a high degree, with radar guided fire control, etc...)

It should be remembered that among the victors in World War II, missile technology was relatively primitive. In particular, an effective guidance system compact enough to fit in a missile and light enough to be carried by a missile that contained an adequate payload had yet to be perfected. But it was not long after the conclusion of World War II that the U.S. and Soviet Union produced the first effective surface-to-air missile systems. The United States won the race, deploying the Nike Ajax system in 1954. This resulted in the retirement of AA artillery for the defense of U.S. airspace.