Reeves AN/MSQ-35 Bomb Scoring Central

For the Radar Bomb Scoring central with the AN/MSQ-46 Bomb Scoring Set[1] using a fresnel zone antenna, see Reeves AN/MSQ-39 Bomb Scoring Central.
Reeves AN/MSQ-35
Range 200,000 yd (99 nmi; 180 km) beacon track
Precision 65 yd (59 m)
Azimuth: 18 mils (1.0125 deg)

The Reeves AN/MSQ-35 Bomb Scoring Central was a United States Air Force dual radar system with computerized plotting board for evaluating accuracy of Strategic Air Command bomber crews by the 1st Combat Evaluation Group.

Description

The central had a 20 rpm Acquisition Radar System with a variable "fan-shaped beam" in elevation and an Interrogator Set AN/TPX-27 for identification friend or foe. The central's trailer van for operations had the separate AN/MSQ-54 Bomb Scoring Set[2] with an automatic tracking radar group (OA-450/FSA-4 Receiver-Transmitter Control Group),[3] a computer group[4] with analog vacuum tube circuitry and on the roof, the antenna group. A communications group provided a link for receiving the aircraft's signal at simulated bomb release, and additional vehicles included a V-280 maintenance van and a V-287 flatbed trailer for transporting the radar/IFF antennas.[2]

Operation

In addition to providing a conventional plot of the aircraft bomb run, the computer group automated the previously manual "bomb plot" in which technicians used time-of-flight charts for air drag and drew lengths of line from the release point to the vacuum impact point and then to an estimate impact point for drag and crosswind. By automatically using "ballistic data" such as time-of-fall to determine vacuum impact point, the AN/MSQ-35 computed bomb "score data [that was] printed out on tape" from a paper roll.[4]

Development and training

The X-band Western Electric M-33 Fire Control System[5] "was utilized as a basic building block" for the S-band AN/MSQ-35, and "techniques established during [the] AN/USQ-9 development program were utilized in the AN/MSQ-35 production program."[4] In 1962 the Reeves Instrument Company production facility hosted the first class for AN/MSQ-35 operators, and the central's field testing was in early 1963[6] at White Sands Missile Range.[7]

Deployment

The AN/MSQ-35 military school was initially at the Aberdeen Proving Ground[8] (where the M-33 school had been located)[9] and the central eventually became the instructional radar used at the 40 week Keesler Air Force Base technical training school for Automatic Tracking Radar Specialists (AUTOTRACK).[10] The Final Engineering Report[11] for the AN/MSQ-35 was published in December 1965[12] after it was used as the basis for developing the 1965 Reeves AN/MSQ-77 Bomb Directing Central with integrating computer for Vietnam War Combat Skyspot ground-directed bombing.

References

  1. ↑ MIL-HDBK-162A: AN/MSQ-39 Radar Bomb Scoring Central, USAF, 15 December 1965, retrieved 2012-05-18 (Tpub.com transcription) Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 MIL-HDBK-162A (Radar.Tpub.com transcription). United States Air Force. 15 December 1965. p. 1. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  3. ↑ LOGSA. "Control-Monitor Group". Radar.tpub.com. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 AN/MSQ-35 Bomb Scoring Central, Radar: Volume 1 Section 1 (Radar.TPub.com transcription). United States Air Force. 15 December 1965. p. 2. Retrieved 2012-10-24. NOTE: Page 3 of this reference needs identified for the remainder of the tracking radar specifications.
  5. ↑ "Geological and Geophysical data of field activity D-4-66-SC in San Clemente Island, CA from 07/30/1966 to 08/09/1966". Walrus.wr.usgs.gov. 1966-07-30. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  6. ↑ "TogetherWeServed - CMSgt Don Skinner". Airforce.togetherweserved.com. 2009-10-06. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  7. ↑ AN/MSQ-35… (Final engineering rept.) (Report). Dec 1965. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  8. ↑ "combatevaluationgroup : Message: Re: [Combat Evaluation Group] 10th, 11th, 12th RBS DET #'s/LOCATIONS". Webcache.googleusercontent.com. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  9. ↑ "combatevaluationgroup : Message: Re: Havre Bomb Plot Nostalgia". Webcache.googleusercontent.com. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  10. ↑ "Яндекс". 100thamms.com. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  11. ↑ "AN/MSQ-35 RADAR BOMB SCORING CENTRAL". Oai.dtic.mil. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  12. ↑ AN/MSQ-35 RADAR BOMB SCORING CENTRAL. - Google Boeken. Books.google.com. 1952-05-02. Retrieved 2012-10-26.