Airborne Launch Control System
Encyclopedia
The United States
' Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) is a method of assured command and control
of nuclear weapons, specifically ICBMs and SLBMs. With land-based ICBMs, the ALCS has the unique capability to retarget and launch the missiles without the interaction of the missile combat crew (MCC).
civilian and military leadership became concerned about the possibility of a decapitating attack from the Soviet
s, destroying any land-based communication links to the nuclear forces of the Strategic Air Command
. One solution to the communication problem was placing radio equipment on board an aircraft, and allow it to fly over the United States
and use radio broadcasts to pass along information . This concept would allow communication to missile launch crews to pass along Emergency Action Message
s (EAMs), but would not duplicate the missile combat crew's function of actually launching the missiles. The key characteristic added to ALCS (versus other communication methods such as ERCS
) was giving the airborne crews the same degree of access to the launch facilities as the underground missile crews
.
Minuteman launch facilities contained an ultra high frequency
(UHF
) receiver, that would pick up commands from the ALCS; the destruction of the launch control center
or the hardenend intersite cable system would not prevent retaliation.
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United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) is a method of assured command and control
Command and Control (military)
Command and control, or C2, in a military organization can be defined as the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commanding officer over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission...
of nuclear weapons, specifically ICBMs and SLBMs. With land-based ICBMs, the ALCS has the unique capability to retarget and launch the missiles without the interaction of the missile combat crew (MCC).
Overview
In the mid-1960s, United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
civilian and military leadership became concerned about the possibility of a decapitating attack from the Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
s, destroying any land-based communication links to the nuclear forces of the Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
. One solution to the communication problem was placing radio equipment on board an aircraft, and allow it to fly over the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and use radio broadcasts to pass along information . This concept would allow communication to missile launch crews to pass along Emergency Action Message
Emergency Action Message
An Emergency Action Message is a preformatted message that directs nuclear-capable forces to execute specific Major Attack Options or Limited Attack Options in a nuclear war...
s (EAMs), but would not duplicate the missile combat crew's function of actually launching the missiles. The key characteristic added to ALCS (versus other communication methods such as ERCS
Emergency Rocket Communications System
The Emergency Rocket Communications System was a back-up communications method for the United States National Command Authority, using a UHF repeater placed atop a Blue Scout rocket or Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile. ERCS was deactivated as a communication means when President...
) was giving the airborne crews the same degree of access to the launch facilities as the underground missile crews
Launch control center (ICBM)
A launch control center , in the United States, is the main control facility for intercontinental ballistic missiles . A launch control center monitors and controls missile launch facilities. From a launch control center, the missile combat crew can monitor the complex, launch the missile, or relax...
.
Minuteman launch facilities contained an ultra high frequency
Ultra high frequency
Ultra-High Frequency designates the ITU Radio frequency range of electromagnetic waves between 300 MHz and 3 GHz , also known as the decimetre band or decimetre wave as the wavelengths range from one to ten decimetres...
(UHF
Ultra high frequency
Ultra-High Frequency designates the ITU Radio frequency range of electromagnetic waves between 300 MHz and 3 GHz , also known as the decimetre band or decimetre wave as the wavelengths range from one to ten decimetres...
) receiver, that would pick up commands from the ALCS; the destruction of the launch control center
Launch control center (ICBM)
A launch control center , in the United States, is the main control facility for intercontinental ballistic missiles . A launch control center monitors and controls missile launch facilities. From a launch control center, the missile combat crew can monitor the complex, launch the missile, or relax...
or the hardenend intersite cable system would not prevent retaliation.
ALCS assisted Launches
| ALCS-assisted ICBM Launches | ||||
| Date | Designation | System | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Mar 1967 | BUSY LOBBY | Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 5 | First ALCS-assisted launch |
| 17 Apr 1967 | BUSY MISSILE | Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 08 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 08 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 08 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
| 28 Apr 1967 | BUSY MUMMY | Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 02 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 02 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 02 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
| 11 May 1967 | BUSY FELLOW | Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 21 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 21 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 21 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
| 25 Jan 1968 | OLY TRIALS 7 | Minuteman II LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 22 | |
| 12 Mar 1969 | GIANT FIST 3 | Minuteman II LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 04 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 04 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 04 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
| 18 Apr 1969 | SST M-3 | Minuteman II LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 25 | |
| 18 Jun 1969 | GLORY TRIP 37B | Minuteman II LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 07 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 07 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 07 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
| 23 Jul 1969 | GLORY TRIP 41B | Minuteman II LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 07 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 07 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 07 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
| 26 Aug 1969 | GLORY TRIP 15F Glory Trip The United States Air Force's Follow-on Test and Evaluation program for intercontinental ballistic missiles is designated Glory Trip .-List of GLORY TRIP Launches:... |
Minuteman II LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 22 | |
| 13 Oct 1969 | GLORY TRIP 22F Glory Trip The United States Air Force's Follow-on Test and Evaluation program for intercontinental ballistic missiles is designated Glory Trip .-List of GLORY TRIP Launches:... |
Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 24 | |
| 21 Oct 1969 | GLORY TRIP 45B Glory Trip The United States Air Force's Follow-on Test and Evaluation program for intercontinental ballistic missiles is designated Glory Trip .-List of GLORY TRIP Launches:... |
Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 07 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 07 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 07 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
| 5 Dec 1969 | GLORY TRIP 50B Glory Trip The United States Air Force's Follow-on Test and Evaluation program for intercontinental ballistic missiles is designated Glory Trip .-List of GLORY TRIP Launches:... |
Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 07 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 07 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 07 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
| 23 Mar 1970 | GLORY TRIP 63B Glory Trip The United States Air Force's Follow-on Test and Evaluation program for intercontinental ballistic missiles is designated Glory Trip .-List of GLORY TRIP Launches:... |
Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 07 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 07 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 07 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
| 21 May 1970 | GLORY TRIP 55F Glory Trip The United States Air Force's Follow-on Test and Evaluation program for intercontinental ballistic missiles is designated Glory Trip .-List of GLORY TRIP Launches:... |
Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 25 | |
| 8 Jun 1970 | GLORY TRIP 72B Glory Trip The United States Air Force's Follow-on Test and Evaluation program for intercontinental ballistic missiles is designated Glory Trip .-List of GLORY TRIP Launches:... |
Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 07 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 07 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 07 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
| 9 Jul 1970 | GLORY TRIP 66F Glory Trip The United States Air Force's Follow-on Test and Evaluation program for intercontinental ballistic missiles is designated Glory Trip .-List of GLORY TRIP Launches:... |
Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 24 | |
| 3 Aug 1970 | GLORY TRIP 61F Glory Trip The United States Air Force's Follow-on Test and Evaluation program for intercontinental ballistic missiles is designated Glory Trip .-List of GLORY TRIP Launches:... |
Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 25 | |
| 4 Aug 1970 | GLORY TRIP 16L Glory Trip The United States Air Force's Follow-on Test and Evaluation program for intercontinental ballistic missiles is designated Glory Trip .-List of GLORY TRIP Launches:... |
Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 05 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 05 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 05 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
| 26 Aug 1970 | GLORY TRIP 43M Glory Trip The United States Air Force's Follow-on Test and Evaluation program for intercontinental ballistic missiles is designated Glory Trip .-List of GLORY TRIP Launches:... |
Minuteman LGM-30 Minuteman The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States... |
Vandenberg AFB, LF 05 Vandenberg AFB Launch Facility 05 Vandenberg Air Force Base Launch Facility 05 is a former launch facility on Vandenberg AFB, California.-References:... |
|
Aircraft
The ALCS mission has been held by multiple aircraft during the last 60 years:- EC-135Boeing EC-135The Boeing EC-135 was a command & control version of the C-135 Stratolifter. Modified for the "Looking Glass" program, during the Cold War EC-135 were airborne 24 hours a day to serve as flying command platforms for the military in the event of nuclear war...
- performed LOOKING GLASS mission for the Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air CommandThe Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
- EC-135A
- EC-135C
- EC-135G
- E-6 Mercury - performed TACAMOTACAMOTACAMO is a U.S. military term meaning "Take Charge and Move Out". TACAMO refers to a system of survivable communications links designed to be used in nuclear war to maintain communications between the decision makers and the triad of strategic nuclear weapon delivery systems...
mission for the US NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
- E-6B
Photo gallery
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See also
- Post Attack Command and Control SystemPost Attack Command and Control SystemThe Post Attack Command and Control System was a network of communication sites for use before, during and after a nuclear attack on the United States. PACCS was designed to ensure that National Command Authority would retain sole, exclusive, and complete control over US nuclear weapons...
- TACAMOTACAMOTACAMO is a U.S. military term meaning "Take Charge and Move Out". TACAMO refers to a system of survivable communications links designed to be used in nuclear war to maintain communications between the decision makers and the triad of strategic nuclear weapon delivery systems...
- "Take Charge and Move Out" mission of the E-6 Mercury - Operation Looking Glass - EC-135Boeing EC-135The Boeing EC-135 was a command & control version of the C-135 Stratolifter. Modified for the "Looking Glass" program, during the Cold War EC-135 were airborne 24 hours a day to serve as flying command platforms for the military in the event of nuclear war...
aircraft mission - Emergency Rocket Communications SystemEmergency Rocket Communications SystemThe Emergency Rocket Communications System was a back-up communications method for the United States National Command Authority, using a UHF repeater placed atop a Blue Scout rocket or Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile. ERCS was deactivated as a communication means when President...
- used shared UHF equipment at Launch facilitiesLaunch facility (ICBM)A launch facility , also known as a missile silo, is an underground vertical cylindrical container for the storage and launching of intercontinental ballistic missiles . They typically have the missile some distance under the surface, protected by a large "blast door" on top...