The Martin AN/GSG-5 Battery Integration and Radar DIsplay Equipment (BIRDIE)[1] was a transportable electronic fire distribution center for automated command and control of remote surface-to-air missile launch batteries. The solid state radar netting system replaced the vacuum tube AN/FSG-1 at 3 United States Missile Master bunkers (Fort Lawton Air Force Station, Washington;[2] Fort Heath, Massachusetts;[3] and Lockport Air Force Station, New York)[4] and BIRDIEs were deployed at over 25 US locations including Homestead-Miami, Florida; Providence, Rhode Island;[5] and San Francisco.[6] The AN/GSG-5 with 3 consoles was a direction center for up to 16 Nike missile batteries, but a smaller variant with only 1 console and without computer and storage equipment (single shelter AN/GSG-6) could control only 2 batteries[7] and was the 1st BIRDIE deployed.[1] Several BIRDIE systems were replaced by Hughes AN/TSQ-51 Air Defense Command and Coordination Systems (Missile Mentor), and the last AADCP with an AN/GSG-5 was at Ft Lawton on July 1, 1973 (the next-to-last was at Highlands Air Force Station, New Jersey).[3]: C-23
References
edit- ^ a b "Army Installing First of 19 Midget Missile Master Systems" (PDF). Army Research and Development Newsmagazine. Washington D.C. October 1961. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
Turner Air Force Base, Ga., where the U.S. Army Signal Corps is installing the first of its 19 BIRDIE systems. ... Housed in 8' x 8' x 18' shelters... The Turner AFB BIRDIE is a small type, directing firing of a limited number of units. A larger unit stores, processes and updates target information in directing fire of a great many missile batteries.
- ^ Colt, Duane. (2011-03-19) the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History. HistoryLink.org. Retrieved on 2013-09-18.
- ^ a b McMaster, B. N.; et al. (December 1984). Historical Overview of the Nike Missile System (PDF) (Report). Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
- ^ Nike Missile Niagara Falls-Buffalo Defense Area. Techbastard.com. Retrieved on 2013-09-18.
- ^ Morgan, Mark L; Berhow, Mark A (2002). Rings of Supersonic Steel (Google Books) (second ed.). Hole in the Head Press. ISBN 0-615-12012-1. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
- ^ "New Firing Control System: Army Unveils Missile Mentor" (PDF). Red Bank Register. Red Bank, New Jersey. February 1, 1967. p. 13. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
- ^ "Chapter 3: Army Air Defense Control Systems" (PDF). U. S. Army Air Defense Digest (PDF). Hillman Hall, Fort Bliss, Texas: U. S. Army Air Defense School. January 1965.