Everything Totally Explained


Ask & we'll explain, totally!
Launch control center (ICBM)
Totally Explained


  NEW! All the latest news in the worlds of computer gaming, entertainment, the environment,  
finance, health, politics, science, stocks & shares, technology and much, much, more.  


View this entry using RSS

Everything about Launch Control Center Icbm totally explained

The launch control center, or LCC for short, is the main control facility of any U.S. ICBM complex. From here, the crew can monitor the complex, launch the missile, or relax in the living quarters (depending on the ICBM system). The LCC is designed to provide maximum protection for the missile combat crew and equipment vital to missile launch.

General Information

All LCCs were dependent on a missile support base (MSB) for logistics support. For example, Minot AFB is the MSB for the 91st Space Wing. This is important to note, for some wayward maintenance crews have strayed from their MSB/missile complex, into another base's complex unwittingly.
   Three types of Minuteman LCCs exist:
  1. Alternate Command Post (ACP) - performed backup functions to missile support base; control missile wing communications
  2. Squadron Command Post (SCP) - perform backup functions to ACP; control squadron execution and communications
  3. Primary LCC (PLCC) - perform execution and rapid message processing
There are four configurations of the LCC, differing primarily in the amount and location of communications equipment. Functionally, there are three LCC designations. One Alternate Comniand Post (ACP) LCC is located within each Minuteman wing and serves as backup for the wing command post. Three Squadron Command Posts (SCPS) serve as command units for the remaining squadrons within the wing, and report directly to the wing command post. The ACP doubles as SCP for the squadron it's located within. The remainder of the LCCS (16) are classified as primary LCCS. Four primary LCCS are located within each squadron and report to their respective command post.

Atlas LCC

Atlas D Configuration

Atlas E Configuration

Atlas F Configuration

Titan I LCC

Titan II LCC

The Titan LCCs held four crew members: the Missile Combat Crew Commander (MCCC), the Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander (DMCCC), Ballistic Missile Analyst Technician (BMAT), and the Missile Facilities Technician (MFT).
   Titan II had a three story LCC dome. The first level was the crews living area and contained a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and a small equipment area that housed an exhaust fan and a water heater. The second level was the launch control area and held the LCCFC (Launch Control Complex Facility Console, the main launch console), the ALOC (Alternate Launch Officer Console), the Control Monitor Group (monitored the missile), and several offer pieces of equipment. The lowest level, level 3, held communications equipment, the two battery backup supplies, the sewage lift station, the motor-generator, and several other pieces of equipment.
   There were two types of Titan II sites: standard, and ACP (alternate command post) sites. ACPs had all of the equipment that one would find on a standard site plus additional communication equipment.

Minuteman Facilities

Launch Control Center

The LCC is an underground structure of reinforced concrete and steel of sufficient strength to withstand weapon effects. It contains equipment and personnel capable of controlling, monitoring, and launching 50 missiles in the unmanned launch facilities within the squadron.
   The LCC outer structure is cylindrical with hemispherical ends. Walls are approximately 4.5 feet thick. A blast door permits entry into the LCC from the tunnel junction. An escape hatch 3-ft in diameter is located at the far end of the LCC. The escape hatch and associate tunnel are constructed to withstand weapon effects and allow personnel egress in the event of damage to the vertical access shaft. Essential LCC launch equipment along with the missile combat crew are located in a shock isolated room suspended within the blast−proof outer structure. The room is steel and suspended as a pendulum by four shock isolators (see picture below).

REACT-A LCCs

REACT-B LCCs

CDB LCCs

Command-data Buffer (CDB) was a configuration for early Minuteman missiles. The overall layout of the LCC didn't change through the upgrade to REACT, however there are some major equipment changes.

Launch Control Equipment Building

Missile Alert Facility

The Missile Alert Facility (MAF), previously known as the Launch Control Facility (LCF), consists of

Netlink

As of 2006, all Minuteman LCCs were modified to handle the LCC Netlink upgrade. The Netlink system brought internet access underground for missile combat crews.

Communications Equipment

  • Strategic Automated Command Control System (SACCS) - formerlly known as Strategic Air Command Digital Information Network (SACDIN)
  • Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network (MEECN) (External Link)
  • AFSATCOM, using both MILSTAR and DSCS satellites
  • Survivable Low-frequency Communications System (SLFCS, aka Program 487L)
  • ICBM SHF Satellite Terminal (ISST)
  • Hardened Intersite Cable System lines (HICS)
  • Voice Dial Lines 1 & 2 The Minuteman LCC differs from previous missile systems in that it only held room for two personnel, the Missile Combat Crew Commander (MCCC) and the Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander (DMCCC).

    Peacekeeper LCC

    The Peacekeeper LCCs were just non-REACT modified CDB LCCs. Instead of replacing the command and control equipment, the 'old' Minuteman CDB C2 system was modified for the 50 Peacekeeper ICBMs.

    Photo Gallery

    Image: LCC Blast Door 1.png|LCC Blast Door
       Image: LCEB Blast Door.png|Launch Control Equipment Building Blast Door
       Image: Shock Isolator.png|Shock Isolator (1 of 4)
       Image: SAS Container.png|Sealed Authenticator System safe w/two crew locks Image: HICS Lines Connectivity.png|Hardened Intersite Cable System Interconnectivity Image: HICS Lines Connectivity2.PNG|HICS Connectivity for 91st Space Wing Image: Delta LCC Artwork.png|Art work at Delta-01 LCC Image: Foxtrot LCC Artwork.png|Art work at Foxtrot-01 LCC Image: Hotel LCC Artwork.png|Art work at Hotel-01 LCC Image: Blast Door Pins.png|Blast Door Pins Image: Primary LCC.PNG|Minuteman Primary LCC Configuration Image: REACT-B Deployment1.PNG|REACT-B Deployment at Grand Forks AFB, ND Image: Command Data Buffer configuration.png|Command Data Buffer configuration
    Further Information

    Get more info on 'Launch Control Center Icbm'.


    External Link Exchanges

    Do you know how hard it is to get a link from a large encyclopaedia? Well we're different and will prove it. To get a link from us just add the following HTML to your site on a relevant page:

      <a href="http://launch_control_center__icbm.totallyexplained.com">Launch control center (ICBM) Totally Explained</a>

    Then simply click through this link from your web page. Our crawlers will verify your link, extract the title of your web page and instantly add a link back to it. If you like you can remove the words Totally Explained and embed the link in article text.
       As long as your link remains in place, we'll keep our link to you right here. Please play fair - our crawlers are watching. Your site must be closely related to this one's topic. Any kind of spamming, dubious practises or removing the link will result in your link from us being dropped and, potentially, your whole site being banned.



  • Copyright © 2007-8 totallyexplained.com | Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License | Site Map
    This article contains text from the Wikipedia article Launch control center (ICBM) (History) and is released under the GFDL | RSS Version