MD-11
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft; Procedure
Taxiing out to Runway XX in ZZZ as we were making the turn to [taxiway] XX from [taxiway] YY we heard a noise (nothing excessively loud or alarming to us or the jumpseater). We straightened out the nosewheel and brought it to a stop. Everything seemed normal so we called to continue taxi. At this point after straightening out we didn't think we could still make the turn on to XX so we requested to cross Runway XX and taxi via ZZ. The taxi out felt smooth and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. On takeoff around 120 knots tower said ramp called and wanted them to notify us we had lost a nose tire on taxi out. We didn't fully hear what they said and we were in the high speed environment; so once we selected gear up and got the plane flying we called them back. Tower said that Ramp had confirmed we lost a nose tire on taxi out. We continued to clean up the airplane on profile while the jumpseater looked up the Tire Fail QRH procedure. We all discussed the possible options. As a team we came to the conclusion our best option was to continue to ZZZ1 (longer runway; better weather; reduce aircraft weight). I continued to fly while the captain coordinated with [Operations]. At top of climb the captain took over as pilot flying and I took over the radios. We requested a tug be waiting for us as we were going to stop on the runway and get towed in. Once we got to ZZZ1 Approach we [advised of our issue] and landed uneventfully. We were inspected by Fire/Rescue and were towed into the gate.[We should] do a quick recheck of the CONFIG page as we take the runway. Once we were airborne and notified we saw on the CONFIG page the right nose gear symbol was gone.
First Officer reported that on takeoff; a nose wheel assembly departed the aircraft; requiring an emergency landing at destination airport.