The Reeves AN/MSQ-1 Close Support Control Set produced by Reeves Instrument Corporation was a trailer-mounted[1] combination radar/computer/communication ("Q" system) developed under a Rome Air Development Center program office[2] (MPS-9 radar & OA-215)[3] for Cold War command guidance of manned aircraft (e.g., those equipped with AN/APS-11A or AN/APW-11 avionics.) Developed for Korean War ground-directed bombing (e.g., B-26 bombers), one detachment of the 3903rd Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron bombed itself with an MSQ-1 because it mistakenly used procedures for the earlier SCR-584/OA-294 system[4] (the MSQ-1 was later replaced by the Reeves AN/MSQ-2 Close Support Control Set.) The MSQ-1 was subsequently used for nuclear testing during Operation Teapot, and for aircraft tests such as for "MSQ-1 controlled pinpoint photography" in 1954 (RB-57A Canberra "Night Photo Bombing").[5]

The set had a direct current analog computer and was modified to use an alternating current computer for Matador Automatic Radar Control (AN/MSQ-1A) to guide MGM-1 Matadors and other unmanned aerial vehicles. The MSQ-1 was considered for guidance of the "XQ-5 Target" drone in 1957,[6]

Air Force MSQ-1A units were carried aboard the USS Tarawa (CVS-40) and the USS Neosho (AO-143) to track Lockheed X-17s launched during the Operation Argus nuclear tests.

Radar stations

In addition to the Tadpole radar stations of the Korean War, a downrange AN/MSQ-1 for the Atlantic Missile Range had been at Florida's Jupiter Missile Guidance Annex in 1952,[7] and an MSQ-1 radar station on the United States Gulf Coast for the RB-57A tests.

References

  1. ^ http://radar.tpub.com/TM-11-487C-1/TM-11-487C-10445.htm ""Close Support Control Set AN/MSQ-1 directs aircraft for close-support bombing missions, provides information for bomb scoring, and guides and records the flight of guided missiles. Guidance is accomplished by transmitting coded radar pulses to the aircraft or missile, or by transmitting voice or coded pulses to the pilot. For communication with the pilot, the VHF transmitting and receiving equipment of Communications Central AN/GSC-1 is used. The AN/MSQ-1 [Trailer V-38] and Radar Set AN/MPS-9 [in Trailer K-78] are used together. ["Power Units (not supplied)]"
  2. ^ Article title
  3. ^ [1] [dead link]
  4. ^ "3903rd Radar Bomb Scoring Group" (KoreanWar Bulletin Board). KoreanWar.org. Retrieved 2012-05-20. Major Bennett was my uncle and responsible for my having spent 30 great years in the USAF. He was stationed at Mac Dill AFB, Florida with an RBS unit in 1947… 52…until…53 … On the MSQ-1, we operated in the same manner, but later learned [for the MSQ-2] that we should have entered the target coordinates into the new digital/analog computer, AND THEN 'ZEROED' THEM OUT AGAIN. The computer would remember the offset and track accordingly. Unfortunately, we did not know that without the TO's. By leaving them in, like the 584, we effectively located the target's position over the top of ourselves. … Det. 12…McClellan AFB, Sacramento, Calif. This was previously Det. D and moved here from Spokane, Wash. It was located at a radio site about 4 miles S.E. of the base near Fair Oaks, in farms and orchards. I was stationed here about 1951 to 1952. Some personnel there were Capt. Wallace Fry, C.O., WOJG William Johnson, 1st Sgt. Sadler, Nelson Vaughn, William Morris, Horvath, Burdick, Wallace and Fox. It was from here that several detachments were marshalled that went to Korea. … was discharged in 1956 at Manhattan Beach Air Force Station on Long Island. … 1 May 70 - 1 May 74…Jim Cooper…statesboro, matagorda, cedar key,udorn, linebacker, quinter, park, presque isle, ashland, wellington, altus, hollis
  5. ^ Operational Suitability Test of the RB-57A Aircraft (Interim Report: Project No. APG/TAT/122-A). Vol. DTIC AD-046 931. Eglin AF Base, Fla: Air Proving Ground Command. 4 May 2000 [14 September 1954]. Radar contact was frequently lost by the ground station when the aircraft was in banks of 15-20 degrees or more. This was attributed to the location of the [AN/APS-11A transponder] antennae on the aircraft. … All drops consisted of three bombs individually released with the aircraft intended to be directly over the target when the second bomb exploded. Bursting altitudes were computed for one-half of release altitude. … The RB-57A is suitable for night photographic reconnaissance when operating within range of either ground radar or Shoran installations
  6. ^ LMSD-1 Radar Command Guidance System (abstract), Lockheed Aircraft Corp, 1957, retrieved 2013-04-02 – via Google Books, A study was initiated in April 1955 to determine the most practicable command guidance system for the XQ-5 Target developmental flight-test program. Three such systems were considered: the system then in use on the X-7A Ramjet Test Vehicle; the system being developed under the X-7A contract using the (AN/APW-11) coding compatible with the MSQ-1 Command Guidance Station; and the Sperry Microwave Command Guidance System. From the initial studies it was determined that the system used on the X-7A Vehicle was the only one that could be made available in time for incorporation into the first three experimental targets.
  7. ^ Citation 11 at https://fas.org/spp/military/program/6555th/6555C2-1.htm
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