Airborne Launch Control System


The Airborne Launch Control System provides a survivable launch capability for the United States Air Force's LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile force. The ALCS is operated by airborne missileers from Air Force Global Strike Command's 625th Strategic Operations Squadron and United States Strategic Command. The system is located on board the United States Navy's E-6B Mercury, which serves as USSTRATCOM's "Looking Glass" Airborne Command Post. The ALCS crew is integrated into the ABNCP battle staff and is on alert around the clock.

Overview

In the mid-1960s, United States civilian and military leadership became concerned about the possibility of a decapitating attack from the Soviets, 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 Messages, but would not duplicate the missile combat crew's function of actually launching the missiles. The key characteristic added to ALCS 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 receiver that would pick up commands from the ALCS; the destruction of the launch control center or the hardened intersite cable system would not prevent retaliation.

History

ALCS' first generation equipment was declared operational on 31 May 1967.

Operational information

ALCS-configured aircraft

The ALCS mission has been held by multiple aircraft during the last 50 years:

Units with ALCS crewmembers assigned

The Airborne Launch Control System Flight of the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron provides training and crewmembers for two ALCS positions on board the E-6B Mercury.

ALCS-assisted launches

A test of the ALCS, both ground and air components, is called a GIANT BALL.