Hole in the Head Press

Nike Equipment - HIPAR & ABAR

Nike-Hercules High Power Acquisition Radar (HIPAR)
(Photo: Redstone Arsenal Website) .

The HIPAR radar was an extended range acquisition radar used with the second generation Nike-Hercules antiaircraft guided missile system. It was not used with the first generation Nike-Ajax antiaircraft guided missile system.  It doesn't appear that the HIPAR received an "AN" designation.

Some sites used a acquisition radar known as an Alternate Battery Acquisition Radar (ABAR) The ABAR wasn't a powerful as the HIPAR, but it was less expensive.  One of the radars used as an ABAR was the AN/FPS-71.

Courtsey of the Radio-Research Insturment Co., Inc. here are the numbers for the AN/FPS-71:

Frequency: 1220 to 1350 mHz (L Band)
Range, Max: 200 naut mi
Range, Min: 300 yd
Peak Power Output: SMW
Type of Presentation: 7-in. PPI. 10-in. PPI, 5-in. A-scope
Duty Cycle: 0.001 (For .prr of 400 pps)
RF Power Source: Type Magnetron 5J26 & QKS 1181 CFA
Azimuth Scan: 360 deg. cw at 6 rpm
Antenna Gain: 34db along axis of max radiation
Range Accuracy: 3% of range + 1 naut mi (at max range)
Pulse Repetition Rate: 325 plus or minus 10 pps on 200-mi range. On other ranges adjustable from 360 to 400 pps in normal operation; fixed 400 pulses per second in MTI operation and normal operation.
Pulse Width: 2 usec Horizontal
Beam Width: 1.4 plus or minus 0.2 deg at half power points.
Vertical Beam Width: 6.2 plus or minus 0.5 deg at half power points.
Vertical Beam Position: 2.5 deg above the horizontal
IFF Reflector Feed: Dipole radiator at reflector focal point.
Peak RF Power: Handling Capacity: 2 megw at .001 duty cycle
Azimuth Position Synchro: 24-speed, 400 cps 31TX4, and 1 speed, 60 cps SHG
RF Input Connection: L-Band Waveguide Flange UG-418A/U
Special Features: Antijamming circuit that limits width of echo pulse that receiver will pass.

Nike Equipment - TTR

The Target Tracking Radar (TTR) tracked the target. 

There was a similar looking radar that tracked the missile - the Missile Tracking Radar (MTR).

The Target Tracking Radar was located with the other radars at the Integrated Fire Control site (IFC).

The first generation Nike-Ajax was configured with a TTR and a MTR.  The Improved Nike-Hercules system was configured with a third radar called the Target Ranging Radar (TRR)  that looked very much like the TTR and MTR.

All together now, TTR, MTR, TRR.....

Next up the HIPAR.

Unidentifed Nike Magazine Gadget

While we were cleaning up around the "C" section magazine at SF-91 on Angel Island, we noticed this gadget attached to the concrete curb around the magazine doors.

Got any idea what this is?

This gizmo seems to be connected to this very rusty  Edwards Model 88-50 Signaling Transformer.

Edwards Model 88-50 Signaling Transformer

Secret Russian Submarine Base

Until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 Balaklava was one of the most secret towns in Russia. 10km south eas of Sevastopol on the Black Sea Coast, this small town was the home to a Nuclear Submarine Base.

Inside a secret underground Russian submarine base

Check out more pictures here.