AN/DRC-8 Emergency Rocket Communications System
{{short description|US Strategic Forces system to communicate with ballistic missiles in use from 1963–1991}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=Emergency Rocket Communications System
| image= Emergency Rocket Communications System payload.PNG
| image_size = 300
|caption=Emergency Rocket Communications System payload
|origin=United States
|type=Intercontinental ballistic missile/Communications System
|used_by= United States
|manufacturer=Boeing
|unit_cost= {{US$|7000000|1968}}
|propellant=
|production_date=
|service= {{ubl|{{start date|1963}}–{{end date|1968}} (Blue Scout)|{{start date |1968}}–{{end date|1991}} (Minuteman II)}}
|engine={{ubl|Three solid-propellant rocket motors|First stage – Thiokol TU-122 (M-55)|Second stage – Aerojet-General SR-19-AJ-1|Third stage – Aerojet/Thiokol SR73-AJ/TC-1}}
|engine_power=
|weight = {{convert|78000|lb}}
|length = {{convert|59|ft|9.5|in}}
|height=
|diameter = {{convert|5|ft|6|in}} (1st stage)
|wingspan=
|speed=Approximately {{convert|15000|mph|Mach km/h km/s}} (terminal phase)
|vehicle_range= {{convert|8100|mi}}
|ceiling=
|altitude= {{convert|700|mi}}
|filling={{val|1|ul=kW}} UHF Transmitter
|guidance=Inertial
|detonation=
|launch_platform=Silo
}}
The Emergency Rocket Communications System (ERCS) was designed to provide a reliable and survivable emergency 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.{{Cite journal | last1 = Heacock | first1 = Phillip K. | url = https://archive.org/details/sim_air-university-review_january-february-1979_30_2/page/34 | title = The Viability of Centralized Command and Control (C2) | journal = Air University Review | volume = 30 | issue = 2 | pages = 34–37 | date = January–February 1979 | access-date = 2022-07-14 | eissn = 1554-2505 | issn = 1555-385X | lccn = 2002207178 | oclc = 50625917 | via = Internet Archive | df = dmy-all }}{{rp|pages=[https://archive.org/details/sim_air-university-review_january-february-1979_30_2/page/34 34-37]}} ERCS was deactivated as a communication means when President George H.W. Bush issued a message to stand down SIOP-committed bombers and Minuteman IIs on 27 September 1991. Headquarters SAC was given approval by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to deactivate the 494L payloads beginning 1 October 1992.{{cite web
|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/116093394/HQSAC-Msg-DTG-301500Apr91-Re-ERCS-Deactivation|title=RE: Emergency Rocket Communications System Deactivation|date=30 April 1991|work=Strategic Air Command History, 1 Jan – 31 December 1991|accessdate=8 December 2012 | via = Scribd }} However, Headquarters SAC believed it was inefficient and unnecessary to support ERCS past fiscal year 1991, and kept the accelerated deactivation schedule.
Mission
The mission of the Emergency Rocket Communications System was to provide assured communication to United States strategic forces in the event of a nuclear attack. ERCS was a rocket or missile that carried a UHF transmitter as a payload instead of a nuclear warhead. In the event of a nuclear attack, ERCS would launch the UHF transmitter into low space to transmit an Emergency Action Message (EAM) to Strategic Air Command units.{{cite magazine | last1 = Haverlah | first1 = Jeff | date = 2005-04-04 | orig-date = 2 September 1998 | title = What is an EAM? | url = http://www.monitoringtimes.com/html/eam.html | magazine = Monitoring Times | issn = 0889-5341 | lccn = 91649214 | oclc = 925172081 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210517093909/http://www.monitoringtimes.com/html/eam.html | archive-date = 2021-05-17 | url-status = live | access-date = 2022-07-14 | df = dmy-all }}{{Cite web | url = https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196330/emergency-rocket-communications-system/ | date = n.d. | website = National Museum of the United States Air Force | title = Emergency Rocket Communications System | access-date = 2022-07-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211117224022/https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196330/emergency-rocket-communications-system/ | archive-date = 2021-11-17 | url-status = live | quote = Each ERCS unit comprised two powerful UHF transmitters and was to be launched at a very high trajectory in place of a nuclear warhead on a Minuteman missile. ERCS could transmit nuclear orders or "go codes" to receivers within its line of sight -- bombers in flight and ground-based nuclear forces in the US and around the world -- for up to 30 minutes. | df = dmy-all }}{{US Air Force| article = Emergency Rocket Communications System | url = https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196330/emergency-rocket-communications-system/}}{{cite report | publisher = Department of the Air Force | title = Strategic Air Command Weapon Systems Acquisition 1964–1979 | type = Report | date = 1980-04-28}}{{cite web | url = https://nuke.fas.org/guide/usa/c3i/ercs.htm | date = 1998-04-29 | website = Federation of American Scientists | title = Emergency Rocket Communications System (ERCS) | url-status = live | access-date = 2022-07-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220606234916/https://nuke.fas.org/guide/usa/c3i/ercs.htm | archive-date = 2022-06-06 | df = dmy-all}}
The ERCS sorties had two possible trajectories, East and West, to inform SAC alert forces in the northern tier bases (i.e. Minot AFB, Fairchild AFB, Grand Forks AFB).{{cite report | url = https://www.scribd.com/doc/95063585/SAC-Reg-55-45-ERCS-Emergency-Action-Procedures-Redacted | url-access = limited | date = 1982-06-26 | title = Emergency Rocket Communications System: Emergency Action Procedures (Redacted) | docket = SACR 55-45 | publisher = Department of the Air Force {{!}} Strategic Air Command | volume = X | access-date = 2022-07-14 | via = Scribd | df = dmy-all}}
ERCS was deactivated and taken out of the inventory as other means of emergency communication (i.e. ISST and Milstar) came online.{{cite report | url = https://www.scribd.com/doc/116092886/Emergency-Rocket-Communications-System-Deactivation-Plan-Inputs-11-March-1991 | title = ERCS Deactivation Plan Input | publisher = Department of the Air Force {{!}} Strategic Air Command | date = 1991-03-11 | access-date = 2022-07-14 | via = Scribd| url-access = limited | df = dmy-all}}
Nomenclature
ERCS was also known as Project 279 (Blue Scout version) and Project 494L (Minuteman version). Sources report that the Project 279 was also known as Project Beanstalk;{{Cite magazine | last1 = McDowell | first1 = Jonathan | author-link1 = Jonathan McDowell | url = https://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.533.txt | title = Scout, and Blue Scout Jr. | issue = 533 | date = 2004-08-27 | magazine = Jonathan's Space Report | access-date = 2022-07-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220704231502/https://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.533.txt | archive-date = 2022-07-04 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all }}{{cite journal | url = https://archive.org/details/sim_air-university-review_september-october-1984_35_6/page/74 | first1 = Howard | last1 = Tamashiro | title = The Danger of Nuclear Diplomatic Decapitation | journal = Air University Review | eissn = 1554-2505 | issn = 1555-385X | lccn = 2002207178 | oclc = 50625917 | date = September–October 1984 | volume = 35 | issue = 6 | pages = 74–79 | access-date = 2022-07-14 | via = Internet Archive | df = dmy-all}}{{rp|pages=[https://archive.org/details/sim_air-university-review_september-october-1984_35_6/page/74 74-79]}} while the Minuteman system may have been designated LEM-70A.{{cite web |url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-70.html |title=Boeing LEM-70 Minuteman ERCS |first=Andreas |last=Parsch |year=2002 |work=Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles |publisher=designation-systems.net |accessdate=10 January 2011| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101215173052/http://designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-70.html| archivedate= 15 December 2010 | url-status=live}}
Operations
The Blue Scout version of ERCS (Program 279) was deployed to three sites near Wisner, West Point, and Tekamah, Nebraska. The Program 494L Minuteman version of ERCS was only deployed to Whiteman AFB, Missouri's 351st Strategic Missile Wing, under the direct control of the 510th Strategic Missile Squadron (later the 510th Missile Squadron).
ERCS was a three part communications system composed of the following elements:
- The five 510th Strategic Missile Squadron Launch Control Centers, which exercised primary control over the ERCS
- The Minuteman missiles configured with ERCS payloads that were capable of accepting a voice recorded message of up to 90 seconds in length
- The SAC airborne command post (ABNCP) ALCC-equipped aircraft which served as an alternate ERCS control agency.{{r|SACR_55-45}}
Interface with ERCS hardware was provided by three modes:
- A land line through ground grouping points (North Bend, Nebraska and Red Oak, Iowa) allowed the airborne command post interface with 494L equipment{{cite report | url = https://www.scribd.com/doc/115566349/Post-Attack-Command-and-Control-System-overview | url-access = limited | title = Post Attack Command and Control System overview | docket = SWVA-69-098 | type = Report | access-date = 2022-07-15 | via = Scribd | df = dmy-all}}
- A UHF radio link through the Launch Control Center to the Launch Facility
- A direct radio interface to the Launch Facility, through the Airborne Launch Control System
Headquarters Strategic Air Command had the ability to make inputs directly into the missile. The Numbered Air Forces could direct the missile crew to make the inputs. In the case of the airborne command post, inputs could be made directly into the missile and missile launch could be made from the aircraft.
Testing
Operational tests of the 494L Minuteman II ERCS were conducted by Air Force Systems Command and Strategic Air Command under the code name GIANT MOON. Launch Control Facility Oscar-1A (LCF O-1A) and Launch Facility Zero Four (LF-04) at Vandenberg AFB, California were modified in 1977 to perform ERCS-related test functions.
| border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse;" align=center cellpadding=5px | ||||
| bgcolor=cccccc
|colspan="6" align="center"| Blue Scout Jr ERCS Test Launches{{cite web | url = http://www.astronautix.com/s/scout.html | title = Scout | date = n.d. | website = Encyclopedia Astronautica | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220318074822/http://www.astronautix.com/s/scout.html | archive-date = 2022-03-18 | url-status = live | access-date = 2022-07-21 | df = dmy-all}} | ||||
| Date | Launch Vehicle | Location | Apogee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{Date table sorting|1962-05-31|format=dmy}} | Blue Scout Jr SLV-1C | Vandenberg AFB, LC-A | {{convert|1000|km}} | |
| {{Date table sorting|1962-07-24|format=dmy}} | Blue Scout Jr SLV-1C | Vandenberg AFB, LC-A | {{convert|1000|km}} | |
| {{Date table sorting|1962-11-21|format=dmy}} | Blue Scout Jr SLV-1C | Vandenberg AFB, LC-A | {{convert|1000|km}} | |
| {{Date table sorting|1963-02-02|format=dmy}} | Blue Scout Jr SLV-1C | Vandenberg AFB, LC-A | {{convert|1000|km}} | |
| {{Date table sorting|1963-03-14|format=dmy}} | Blue Scout Jr SLV-1C | Vandenberg AFB, LC-A | {{convert|1000|km}} | |
| {{Date table sorting|1963-05-17|format=dmy}} | Blue Scout Jr SLV-1C | Vandenberg AFB, LC-A | {{convert|1000|km}} | |
| {{Date table sorting|1963-12-17|format=dmy}} | Blue Scout Jr SLV-1C | Vandenberg AFB, 4300C | {{convert|1000|km}} | |
| bgcolor=cccccc
|colspan="6" align="center"| Minuteman II ERCS Test Launches{{cite web | url = http://astronautix.com/v/vandenberglf05.html | title = Vandenberg LF05 | date = n.d. | website = Encyclopedia Astronautica | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220303072352/http://astronautix.com/v/vandenberglf05.html | archive-date = 2022-03-03 | url-status = live | access-date = 2022-07-21 | df = dmy-all}} | ||||
| Date | Launch Vehicle | Location | Apogee | Notes |
| {{Date table sorting|1966-12-13|format=dmy}} | Minuteman II | Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 | {{convert|1300|km}} | First Minuteman ERCS test |
| {{Date table sorting|1967-02-02|format=dmy}} | Minuteman II | Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 | {{convert|1300|km}} | Second Minuteman ERCS test |
| {{Date table sorting|1963-08-04|format=dmy}} | Minuteman II | Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 | {{convert|1300|km}} | GIANT MOON 1, GLORY TRIP 16L |
| {{Date table sorting|1971-10-22|format=dmy}} | Minuteman II | Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 | {{convert|1300|km}} | GIANT MOON 2, GLORY TRIP 40L |
| {{Date table sorting|1972-03-22|format=dmy}} | Minuteman II | Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 | {{convert|1300|km}} | GIANT MOON 3, GLORY TRIP 200L |
| {{Date table sorting|1973-07-26|format=dmy}} | Minuteman II | Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 | {{convert|1300|km}} | GIANT MOON 4 |
| {{Date table sorting|1974-03-12|format=dmy}} | Minuteman II | Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 | {{convert|1300|km}} | GIANT MOON 5 |
| {{Date table sorting|1974-10-22|format=dmy}} | Minuteman II | Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 | {{convert|1300|km}} | GIANT MOON 6 |
| {{Date table sorting|1975-09-05|format=dmy}} | Minuteman II | Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 | {{convert|1300|km}} | GIANT MOON 7 |
| {{Date table sorting|1976-10-26|format=dmy}} | Minuteman II | Vandenberg AFB, LF-05 | {{convert|1300|km}} | GIANT MOON 8 |
ERCS sortie location
After the system was declassified, the ten ERCS sorties were powered down and removed from their launch facilities. During these power-down operations, the location of the sorties were:
| class="wikitable sortable"| ERCS Sortie Locations | |||
| Launch Facility | Power Down Date | Payload Removal Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| F06 | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-02|format=dmy}} | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-15|format=dmy}} | |
| F07 | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-02|format=dmy}} | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-17|format=dmy}} | |
| I06 | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-02|format=dmy}} | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-22|format=dmy}} | |
| I11 | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-02|format=dmy}} | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-28|format=dmy}} | |
| M03 | {{Date table sorting|1991-09-28|format=dmy}} | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-03|format=dmy}} | Missile Guidance System failed; was not replaced |
| M07 | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-02|format=dmy}} | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-08|format=dmy}} | |
| N04 | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-02|format=dmy}} | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-29|format=dmy}} | |
| N08 | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-02|format=dmy}} | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-31|format=dmy}} | |
| O05 | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-02|format=dmy}} | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-29|format=dmy}} | |
| O06 | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-02|format=dmy}} | {{Date table sorting|1991-10-31|format=dmy}} |
Material and support
The Ogden Air Materiel Area at Hill AFB, Utah was made the Systems Support Manager in August 1963.{{cite web | url = https://www.hill.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/397090/ercs-system/ | date = n.d. | title = Allied Signal Emergency Rocket Communication System | access-date = 2022-07-15 | website = Hill Air Force Base | language = en-us | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210422192155/https://www.hill.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/397090/ercs-system/ | archive-date = 2021-04-22 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all}}
Chronology
- 29 September 1961 – HQ USAF issues Specific Operational Requirement (SOR) 192, for ERCS (designated Program 279)
- 27 December 1961 – Interim configuration finalized of three rockets with 1 KW transmitters, stationed around Omaha, Nebraska; four sites with three rockets each
- 5 April 1962 – Amendment to SOR 192 to include two east coast ERCS complexes, based on CHROME DOME routes and SAC elements in Europe
- 21 September 1962 – SAC study recommends use of Minuteman missile, to eliminate Program 279 and its proposed expansion
- 7 June 1962 – SAC proposes changes to SOR 192, such as using six Minuteman missiles selected from among the flights of an operational wing; this was envisioned not to impair the alternative capability of substituting nuclear warheads should future circumstances warrant.
- 11 July 1962 – Program 279 attains Initial Operating Capability (IOC); UHF transmitter payloads attached to three MER-6A Blue Scout rockets at three sites near Wisner, West Point, and Tekamah, Nebraska
- 13 December 1966 – A Minuteman II launched from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. carried the first Minuteman ERCS payload into space for testing and evaluation{{cite web | url = http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/milestones.asp?dec=1960&sd=01/01/1960&ed=12/31/1969 | date = n.d. | title = History Milestones | url-status = dead | website = United States Air Force | language = en-us | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090613132242/http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/milestones.asp?dec=1960&sd=01/01/1960&ed=12/31/1969 | archive-date = 2009-06-13 | df = dmy-all }}
- 17 April 1967 – Third, and last, test of the ERCS using a Minuteman booster; Emergency Action Message was inserted into the transmitter from an ALCS aircraft.
- 15 August 1967 – First Program 494L payload arrives at Whiteman AFB, MissouriSpace and Missile Center: Space and Missile Systems Organization History (Volume 2), 1 Jul 1967 – 30 Jun 1969
- 10 October 1967 – First two Program 494L ERCS payloads put on alert at Whiteman AFB, Missouri; IOC obtained for Program 494L ERCS
- 1 January 1968 – Full Operational Capability (FOC) obtained for Program 494L ERCS; Program 279 ERCS inactivated by SAC
- 23 October 1974 – ERCS test, designated GIANT MOON 6, launched from Vandenberg AFB. Test was monitored on two frequencies by ground facilities. PACOM at Hickam AFB maintained valid reception of the JCS WHITE DOT ONE message for 22 minutes and another message for 14 minutes{{cite report | via = Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability | date = 1975-09-25 | section = Chapter VI, Section I: Command and Control {{!}} Emergency Rocket Communications System Test | title = CINCPAC Command History 1974 | url = https://nautilus.org/foia-document/cincpac-command-history-1974-volume-i/ | volume = 1 | pages = 341 | publisher = Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC) | format = PDF | language = en-us | access-date = 2022-07-14 | df = dmy-all}}{{rp|page=341}}
- 27 September 1991 – President George H. W. Bush terminated SAC's alert force operations, which included taking Minuteman II ICBMs (including ERCS sorties) off-alert.
In popular culture
ERCS is mentioned in The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and its Dangerous Legacy by David Hoffman.{{cite book |
last1 = Hoffman | first1 = David | date = 2009-09-22 | title = The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and its Dangerous Legacy | url = https://archive.org/details/deadhandreagango0000hoff | language = en | publisher = Doubleday | isbn = 978-0385524377 | lccn = 2009016751 | oclc = 692286900 | ol = OL27876820M | via = Internet Archive | df = dmy-all}}
ERCS is mentioned in Arc Light by Eric Harry.
See also
{{Portal|Electronics}}
- List of military electronics of the United States
- Dead Hand – Russia's version of ERCS, relaying launch codes instead of messages
- Post-Attack Command and Control System (PACCS)
- Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS)
- Ground Wave Emergency Network (GWEN)
- Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network (MEECN)
- Survivable Low Frequency Communications System (SLFCS)
- Primary Alerting System (PAS)
- SAC Automated Command and Control System (SACCS)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
{{USAF system codes}}
Category:Telecommunications equipment of the Cold War