U. S. Army, Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex, Perimeter Acquisition Radar (PAR); U. S. Air Force, Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS), Cavalier Air Force Station, North Dakota
© Earl C. Leatherberry all rights reserved
The Safeguard Program was developed in the 1960s. The only Safeguard site in the United States was built in North Dakota in 1974 at a cost of six billion dollars. The Safeguard Complex was designed to follow intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) fired from the Soviet Union that were aimed at the Grand Forks Air Force Base Minuteman missile fields, and to intercept them in-flight. The Safeguard had three primary components- the Missile Site Radar (MSR); Perimeter Acquisition Radar (PAR); and on-site and Remote Missile Launch Sites (MLS). Each element was designed to withstand a nearby nuclear blast and to be self-contained in case of attack.
The Perimeter Acquisition Radar (PAR) component (above) tof the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex was located 25 miles east of the Missile Site Radar (MSR). It had a north-facing passive electronically scanned array radar that was designed to detect incoming ballistic missile warheads as they crossed over the North Pole region. PAR would determine their trajectory and impact point. The antennae for the PAR were contained in the large lighter-toned shape covering most of the wall. If PAR detected incoming ICBMs, Missile Launch Sites (MLS) with long-range Spartan missiles would launched to intercept them outside the earth's atmosphere. The missile's long range allowed protection of a large geographic area. If the Spartan failed to intercept all incoming missiles. The short ranged Sprint missiles would attempt interceptions within the atmosphere. There were at least four MLS with reinforced underground missile launchers for at least 46 nuclear tipped Spartan and short-range Sprint missiles. Both missiles had nuclear warheads, and they relied on destroying or damaging the incoming warhead with radiation rather than heat or blast. the Safeguard Program was deactivated in 1976.
Following deactivated of the Safeguard Program, the U. S. Air Force assumed command of the radar and later named the site Cavalier Air Force Station. The site became known as the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS). PARCS monitors and tracks potential missile launches against North America. The PARCS also monitors and tracks earth-orbiting objects to enable space situation awareness and space control.
The photograph shows the PARC and its power plant diesel engine exhaust and the small engine intake. On the right is the ventilating air intake/exhaust, distinguishable by its square shape, whereas the diesel columns are rectangular.
U. S. Army, Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex, Perimeter Acquisition Radar (PAR); U. S. Air Force, Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS), Cavalier Air Force Station, North Dakota
© Earl C. Leatherberry all rights reserved
The Safeguard Program was developed in the 1960s. The only Safeguard site in the United States was built in North Dakota in 1974 at a cost of six billion dollars. The Safeguard Complex was designed to follow intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) fired from the Soviet Union that were aimed at the Grand Forks Air Force Base Minuteman missile fields, and to intercept them in-flight. The Safeguard had three primary components- the Missile Site Radar (MSR); Perimeter Acquisition Radar (PAR); and on-site and Remote Missile Launch Sites (MLS). Each element was designed to withstand a nearby nuclear blast and to be self-contained in case of attack.
The Perimeter Acquisition Radar (PAR) component (above) tof the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex was located 25 miles east of the Missile Site Radar (MSR). It had a north-facing passive electronically scanned array radar that was designed to detect incoming ballistic missile warheads as they crossed over the North Pole region. PAR would determine their trajectory and impact point. The antennae for the PAR were contained in the large lighter-toned shape covering most of the wall. If PAR detected incoming ICBMs, Missile Launch Sites (MLS) with long-range Spartan missiles would launched to intercept them outside the earth's atmosphere. The missile's long range allowed protection of a large geographic area. If the Spartan failed to intercept all incoming missiles. The short ranged Sprint missiles would attempt interceptions within the atmosphere. There were at least four MLS with reinforced underground missile launchers for at least 46 nuclear tipped Spartan and short-range Sprint missiles. Both missiles had nuclear warheads, and they relied on destroying or damaging the incoming warhead with radiation rather than heat or blast. the Safeguard Program was deactivated in 1976.
Following deactivated of the Safeguard Program, the U. S. Air Force assumed command of the radar and later named the site Cavalier Air Force Station. The site became known as the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS). PARCS monitors and tracks potential missile launches against North America. The PARCS also monitors and tracks earth-orbiting objects to enable space situation awareness and space control.
The photograph shows the PARC and its power plant diesel engine exhaust and the small engine intake. On the right is the ventilating air intake/exhaust, distinguishable by its square shape, whereas the diesel columns are rectangular.