War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; At the Brink; 105; The History of ABM (Part 2 of 3)

Steering would replace rotating antennas. Since 1960 experimental efforts had indicated that this new concept called a phased array radar could perform a multi-function role and provide a major advance in handling simultaneously for many targets of the anticipated high traffic threat. Studies led to the installation of a new kind of radar at White Sands. The advanced radar prototype was to prove that the functions of the radar acquisition of discrimination. Missile track. Target track and its data processing function could be accomplished by a single radar. This prototype was called Mar 1. It had one base for transmitting. One for receiving and was capable of moving the antenna beam in a millionth of a second. Scanning any sector of the sky many times faster than radar. Phased array radars can be hardened better against nuclear effects.

However as a result of further Mars studies it was decided not to deploy a single very powerful phased array radar but rather two phased array radars which could adequately perform their required function at lower total cost they were a perimeter acquisition radar for far to long range target tracking and the missile site Radar or MSR for both target tracking and intercepted guidance. The test information obtained from the Mars studies led to the development of tactical radar. The first was the MSR tested at the quantum LN atoll on mech Island. Here assembly had begun in 1966 on the prototype Two-Face MSR. Its associated missile site data processor and the launch complex were testing tactical missiles. It became clear that sophistication had evolved to a point where

some warheads because of their accompanying debris and decoys. Could not be distinguished in time to be engaged by the long range interceptor. A close in terminal defense was needed. The answer to numerous welds spray. It would be so fast that it could rise to a successful intercept even if launched after a low altitude aerodynamic target discrimination in flight. Sprint would become incandescent its development required major technological breakthroughs. Sprint is gas ejected from its underground cell. Because of its very high acceleration rate. But it would stand unprecedented stresses. It was developed by the Martin Marietta corporation Orlando Florida. Special coding materials as they of late thus limit

temperature rise in the missile structure and components. Elemental flights were conducted at White Sands. Not all were successful. It was after all a missile whose performance requirements resulted staggering demand. However recovery and examination of flight hardware revealed causes of isolating and collecting the DC-X led to a series of spectacular successes. Computers for the Nike X system vastly did increase speed and capacity achieved with a multiplicity of processors were developed and tested at Bell Labs within it as a team effort with Univac. Ultimately the multiprocessor approach would deliver a computing speed of over 20

million instructions per second. For sites requiring less capacity. The modular design provides the necessary flexibility to meet requirements. One notable achievement in advancing computer technology was Bell Labs development of an integrated circuit package or ICP manufactured by Western Electric at Allentown Pennsylvania. Hundreds of thousands of icy trees could be required. In the same computer space as before peace provided greater reliability and more than 15 times as much data processing capability as the modules the manufacturing techniques exemplified the continuing effort to reduce cost. Western Electric enlisted the support of RCA Motorola and Texas Instruments in order to meet the planned production volume. By CPS are mounted on

chassis the chassis contains as many as 1000 logic circuits. Connections will automatically wire wrap. For Nike backs resist missile was modified to increase mode of performance and with it the use of a larger warhead. It was renamed spark. Spark and would provide early high altitude intercept beyond terminal coverage of Sprint. Initial test flights were conducted at Quantrell A. Bell Labs developed and Western Electric manufactured electronic packages for both Nike Expositor. Early in the development of the program it was recognized that system hardware had to be able to survive nuclear. Tests had been taking place over a period of years beginning in 1959

at the field test range in Canada. The explosive charges were used to simulate blast effects of a nuclear weapon. System or exposed to other forms of simulated nuclear effects such as radiation from gamma rays and x rays. The bonus were also subjected to underground nuclear tests. At this time. Reports indicated that the USSR had made further strides in their long range missile and nuclear arsenal. In addition. 1964 witnessed the first detonation.

Weapons by the People's Republic of China. Two years later. The Red Chinese would demonstrate a thermonuclear capability. In San Francisco. Secretary of Defense McNamara made the following announcement. Further the Chinese oriented ABM system would enable us to add as a concurrent benefit the defense of our Minuteman system just at a modest cost. And finally such an ABM system would provide protection against accidental launch by any nation or weapon which accidental launch launches are highly improbable but they're not inconceivable. After he coude refuted out of all these considerations we decided to go forward with this Chinese oriented APM system the

system was designated Sentinel a 17 sign deployment was authorized to provide an urban area this and. This is the way the new system would work. The first line of defense is the car the surveillance radar which detects and tracks incoming objects at very long ranges. The car runs its data processor continuously provide long range filtered information to the MSR. This tradeoff provides more precise data on the incoming missile. With its own data processing system making computations a billionth of a second. The NSA can select targets and give the command to fire interceptor missiles. First to be launched with the squad. Under constant control and guidance by the computer sparking soars to intercept above the atmosphere. What intercepts of closer to an targets the smaller quick response sprint the

solicitors. Began Azhar is also capable of controlling Sprint missiles located as much as 25 miles from the radar to provide greater area coverage. These sites contain only Sprint missiles which are launched and guided via communication links with the MSR. The interceptor warhead needs only to be detonated in the vicinity of the threat to neutralize it. In April 1968 the sentinel production contract was signed. It was the first anti ballistic missile system on which the decision to deploy it was made in preparation actually began on the plan first car near the greater Boston area. Work on the site would be of short duration. As the ABM program developed.

So it seems that opposition to its very existence from the beginning of the program was controversial. In 1969. The change in administration came a review of our national defense policy. President Nixon said. After a long study of all of the options available I have concluded that the Sentinel program previously adopted should be substantially modified. The new program that I have recommended this morning to the leaders and that I announce today is one that perhaps best can be described as a safeguard program. This redirection reduce the 17 sites urban area defenses to a potential well site concept to defend our offensive forces in. The Boston area a site was discontinued. The initial effort was directed to four prime sites.

With VoIP to start immediately in North Dakota and Montana. This would constitute the first phase of safeguard deployment. Like the safeguard program would be a country wide effort directed by the United States Army safeguard utilized a system manager concept. Established during the Sentinel program. The system manager reported directly to the Army chief of staff with President authority to manage resources. And to direct all the army agencies involved with the requirements. Western It looks like it is a prime contractor with Bell Labs responsible for research design and development. The major subcontractors were already established but there are many suppliers. The Western Electric safeguard project office was established in Greensboro North

Carolina. Here the vast industrial team effort was coordinated. Although designated prime contractor Western subcontracted work representing more than 60 percent of all system funding. One safeguard was committed to production. The subcontractors quickly brought aboard for the design and manufacture of system components. Delivery schedules were established. Designs developed during the program made it possible to start immediately on production. Much of the tactical hardware. Western personnel also developed and conducted training programs for Bell System technicians and installers who were assigned to the tactical sites. Among the first actions under safeguard was to begin work on the sites in Montana and North Dakota. The Corps of Engineers was responsible for site design and building construction. Our installation here in

North Dakota would be used for tests initially and later would be tactical. He. Had been taking place at. Cannes where as a challenge. Were able to carry complete knowledge of the design intent. When they returned to their stateside laboratories they were equipped with a more practical understanding of operating problems out there in. L.A.. It was a long time system. Start.

With. This typical intercept exercise on the right. Here. These exercises demonstrated the system's ability to sprint interceptors launched from a remote location. The next island test program was concluded in April 1975. Valuable data obtained by the NSA on incoming targets were made available to the Air Force and other agencies responsible for U.S. offensive missile development. During its five years that all objectives were

fulfilled. Some 180 other Sams tracking data missions were conducted with about 90 percent success rate in the last 21 missions completely successful. During the entire effort. Most of the missions were observed and recorded by personnel and equipment on Russian ships. The Soviet Union fully aware of the progress and success of safeguard tests. However it comprised more than intercept tests. To develop test programs required for the safeguard system. The tactical software stablished of Madison New Jersey. Design and implementation of these programs are considered to be challenging and complex accomplishments in the history of data processing. Testing began in 1971. It's not attainable in the field to be introduced at this facility to verify system

capability. Bell Labs and IBM software designers and programming specialists shared in the effort of developing the MSR and. The government contracted for the installation of the Ballistic Missile Defense Center inside Cheyenne Mountain near Colorado Springs. As a part of the North American Air Defense complex. Would be the link between NORAD's and the safeguard sites. Communication links between the site and NORAD's traversed two routes separated for survivability. Microwave towers transmit wideband data signals to this hardened antenna atop Cheyenne Mountain. After receipt of presidential authority for the release of nuclear weapons NORAD's through its combat

operations center grants authority to the BMTC to launch safeguard missiles. Site preparation in North Dakota was progressing on schedule in order to be ready to receive the large complex assemblage of equipment including seventeen hundred major units and thousands of antenna elements. But hard to withstand nuclear shock. Over a thousand tons of steel reinforcing bars more than fifty thousand cubic yards of concrete. What required. The NEC to the radar to a power plant capable of supplying enough electricity for a city of forty thousand population. At the MSR site. Massive use of steel and concrete was also made on the radar and it supported underground building and power plant. The case into the MSR the Spartan and Sprint missile farms were taking shape.

The main portion of the MSR building would be below the surface. Much like an iceberg only its total housing its faces would put food about 80 feet above ground. Meanwhile. Production of safeguard components was in full swing. Raytheon plants in Massachusetts were busy manufacturing items for the MSR. Antenna elements. Power hardware transmitter and receiver equipment racks. Display console's and other electronic components. All fabricated to exacting specifications and checked out thoroughly before shipment to the site. General Electric Syracuse New York was responsible for the design and development of the car. Although only limited.