Puneet Varma (Editor)

Improved Launch Control System

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The Improved Launch Control System (ILCS) was a system used by the United States Air Force's Minuteman II ICBM force. ILCS was a method to transfer targeting information from a Minuteman Launch Control Center to an individual missile by communications lines. Prior to ILCS, new missile guidance would have to be physically loaded at the launch facility; the process usually took hours.

Contents

History

ILCS was operational at most Minuteman II wings (except the 44th Missile Wing, which was never upgraded) by the late 1970's. Minuteman III wings had a similar install, designated Command Data Buffer, providing the newer system the potential for remote retarging.

Phaseout

ILCS was phased out in mid-1990s by the retirement of the Minuteman II force, and the inactivation or reapportioning of units to Minuteman III. It was replaced by REACT.

Chronology

  • 1979
  • 1 Mar - 341 SMW's 490th Strategic Missile Squadron completes ILCS upgrades, at a cost of $365 million.
  • References

    Improved Launch Control System Wikipedia