Section IV

Figure 19 Typical Permanent Launching Site

 A permanent site requires a rectangular area of about 43 acres. It consists of the trailer mounted Launching Control Trailer (LCT), three launching sections of four launchers, four Launching Control Indicators (LCI), and three Section Control Groups (SCG) each, and frequency converters and/or generators.

The launching area, located up to three nautical miles from the IFC area, is of various field configurations. The design maximum is for four sections (A, B, C, D) of four launchers each. The launchers may be Located underground and raised by elevators, or emplaced above ground in a permanent or mobile configuration. The section selector group (SSG) is in a protected shelter underground, or in a trailer. The launching area requirements are for level ground (within one degree), line of sight to the MTR and all erected missiles, not more than 200 mils below the elevation of the MTR and with distance requirements as indicated below.

a.MTR to nearest launcher (Min)  1000 yds (914 meters), due to maximum elevation tracking rate of the MTR.

b.MTR to nearest launcher (Max)  6000 yds (5486 m), due to cable length and parallax limitation. May be extended somewhat by changing parallax equipment and adding additional cables,

c.LCT to SSG - (MIN)  800 ft (244 m) - for safety reasons.

d.LCT to SSG - (MAX)  1000 ft (805 m) - due to cable lengths.

e.SSG to LCI  38 m

f.LCI to launcher  4. 5 to 15. 2 m

g.Between launchers  Unbarricaded 15. 2 m

h.Between launchers  barricaded  7. 6 m

i.Between section areas  Min  18 m; Max - 137 m.

Figure 21: Launching Control Trailer  (LCT)

The operational control point of the LCT is the launch control console. The control panel on the console indicates the status of the launcher sections. The individual section to fire the mission is normally selected from here, and in emergency, the round can be fired from here. This panel also contains meters to indicate the amount and type of command transmitted from the MTR during test of the command system.

The flight simulator simulates a missile guidance unit and is used to check commands transmitted from the MTR. It is universal in that it contains components to simulate either a Hercules or Ajax unit.

Figure 23:   Section Control Group

The section group is located in the underground personnel room, launching section revetment (above ground sites), or section operating equipment trailers (mobile battery sites). It consists of a Section Control Indicator (SCI), mounted on a Section Simulator Group (SSG). The section control group is an intermediate control between the LCS and section launchers. Its functions include controlling launcher erection, applying and controlling external electrical power to the missile, controlling emergency prefiring operations, indicating readiness status of each launcher to the LCT, pre­setting gyro azimuth (Ag) angle in the missile roll-amount gyro, and pro­viding two way voice communication between the section launchers and other stations of the battery. The SCI receives power from the section simulator group.  

Figure 26:   Mobile Launching Set

A mobile launching section consists of the section operating equipment trailer, generator junction box, power cabinet junction box, 400 hertz trailer mounted generator and the three launchers and associated equipment.

Figure 27: Section Operating Equipment Trailer (SOET)

The SOET, requiring a four man crew, contains the Section Control Group and provides protection for personnel during firing operations and inclement weather. Access doors on the front of the trailer provide access to the electrical connectors of the SCG. Air intake and exhaust ports on the side of the trailer provide adequate ventilation of the equipment. Also contained in the trailer is a heater for personnel requirements.  

Figure 28:   Launcher And Associated Equipment Of A Mobile Set

Each launcher is emplaced by means of a field adaption kit consisting of seven jacks, two outriggers and associated hardware, and a blast deflection kit of a deflector and hardware. These kits enable the launcher to be emplaced at many different locations. One loading rack section is located on each side of the launcher. A transport modification kit adapts the launcher for travel. 

Figure 29:   Handling Rail Mounted on Launcher

The rail is a box type welded steel structure supported by two driver and two idler wheels, which permit the rail to be moved along side trusses onto the beam. Two cable assemblies in the rail connect the missile circuits to control and monitor circuits for the launcher. Wedge locks (front and rear) lock rail to beam.

Figure 30:   NIKE HERCULES Launcher

The launcher is a wleded rectangular steel structure with a main trunion and four trunion bearings supporting the erecting beam. Two secondary trunions support the strut. Adjustment of the strut length and positioning of the strut bearings on the beam changes the angle of elevation of the beam, which determines the booster disposal area. Connected to the main trunion and strut are two equilibrators and two power cylinders which raise and lower the erecting beam (equilibrator assists in the up cycle and acts as primary in down cycle). The hollow center of the main trunion is used to rout hydraulic lines and electrical cables between the launcher base and erecting beam. External power (AC & DC) is routed through the launcher base and the LCI. Initially, HPU components and the equilibrator accumulator are precharged with oil and air. An AC motor drives a pump to produce high pressure. High and low pressure, supplied by hyd oil  reservoir, HPU, hyd panel and equilibrator is then routed to the power and equilibrator cylinders.

Figure 31:   HERCULES Guided Missile (Major Components)

The missile is a supersonic air defense missile with a cruciform and dart-type configuration. It consists of two main sections, (1) the missile body, and (2) the rocket motor cluster. The missile body, constructed of aluminum skin, encompasses three aerodynamic sections (Ogive, Constant Body, and Boattail) and four functional systems (Guidance, Hydraulic, War­head, and Propulsion). The forward body section houses the missile guidance set (transponder control), a forward and rear crush ring, a forward and rear barometer probe, and four ram pressure probes. The crush rings and the barometric probes are not used in HE warhead missiles.  

Figure 32: Transponder Control Group

The Transponder Control Group (TCG “Guidance Package^t1) located in the forward body section of the missile consists of two groups.

Radio Set - Electronic modules that decode the MTR transmissions and transmit the beacon response pulse. If a failure occurs, the failsafe circuits of the TCG operate and cause the warhead to detonate.

Flight Control Instruments - the gyros. accelerometer and pressure transmitter. These two groups control the actuators that position the missile elevons.

Figure 33:   Booster Motor Igniter

The four booster motor igniters each contain electric squibs that cause ignition of the combustible materiel in the igniter. Accidental ignition of the propellant during shipment or storage is minimized by removal of the igniter and installation of a plastic shipping plug in the igniter receptacle. To prevent stray voltage from firing the igniter, a shorting connector is used.

Figure 34:   Sustainer Motor Initiators

The initiators fire a gas generator that ignites the sustainer motor propellant. Firing before the boost period is prevented by the safe and arming switch.  

Figure 35:   Launching Area HERCULES Missile Test Set

This equipment used to perform operational checks on the missile guidance set and flight

The FLI uses signals from the RF Test Set and power from the Electrical Test Set, (Launch­ing/Assembly areas Missile Test Set) to isolate malfunctioning guidance set modules (all modules are not tested). Sequencing is automatic after initial start. Indicator lights are used to signal any test set adjustment, and read-out indicates faulty module. The FLI is used after the missile test set has “failed” the guidance set. No test connection changes are required on the missile test set. (TM 9-1410-250 -12).

Figure 37:   Prelaunch Signal Simulator Equipment Group

1 - Firing Simulator

2 - Firing Sequence Indicator

3 - Cable Assembly

Used to simulate the firing of a missile, the signal simulator permits personnel to gain experience in firing procedures. During a simulated firing, personnel may also make visual checks for proper activation and operation of those circuits monitored by the simulator group.

The simulator is attached to the launcher erecting beam and is elec­trically connected between the beam and the launching-handling rail. A single light on the simulator indicates when it is in operation.

The indicator is used for remote control of the simulator function. With the cable connecting the firing sequence indicator to the simulator, the indicator controls will override those of the simulator. The sequen­tial illumination of the eleven lights on the indicator control panel indi­cates the proper functioning of the monitored circuits.

Figure 38:   Air Leakage Tester

The Air Leakage Tester is used to supply air pressure to test for leakage in the missile guidance package. The tester is used in the assembly, launcher areas, and in the missile support shop. The guidance package is pressurized to 18 psi.

Figure 39:   Electrical Circuit Test

The ECTS is used in the launcher area to test firing circuits in the launcher to determine the acceptability of the circuits under test. These tests are considered critical to the safe firing of the missile. The test set contains four functional circuits: self-test, con­tinuity, stray voltage, and discontinuity. These circuits are used to detect AC and DC stray voltage, short and open circuits, and to self-test the test set. The branched cable assembly provides connections between the ECTS and the launcher.

Figure 40:   Truck Mounted GM Test Station AN/MSM-79

The Test Station is used for servicing, testing and organizational maintenance of the missile (mobile).

Equipment includes:

1.      Fault Locating Indicator

2.      Electrical Test Set (9034602)

3.      RF Test Set (9143471)

4.      Hydraulic Pumping Unit (HPU)

5.      Stagnation Pressure Pump

6.      Portable oil fill & filter unit

7.      Nitrogen bottle

8.      Final assembly tester