Experimental SAGE Subsector

{"selectable":false,"height":"450","width":"800"} 0 0 00:00:00 ← back Experimental SAGE Subsector (ESS) (1955-1958) - Simultaneously with the development of the manual Permanent System radar network, separate efforts were made to automate as much of the air defense process as possible using fledgling digital computer and data transmission technology. This experimental project run by MIT's Lincoln Laboratory resulted in the SAGE System. The research project phases included: the Cape Cod System I (1953), the Cape Cod System II (1954), and the Experimental SAGE Subsector (ESS) (1955-1958). The research project ended in 1958 with the deployment of the first SAGE System direction center at McGuire AFB, McGuire SAGE System Direction Center DC-01. The deployment phase began in 1958 with a new organization spun off of Lincoln Laboratory, the MITRE Corporation. The Rand Corporation had already assumed software responsibility in 1955. Lincoln Laboratory returned to their research role and that continues to this day. Work in progress Experimental SAGE Subsector (ESS) Sites Site Type Location Equipment Operational GPS Notes --- DC MIT Digital Computer Lab Whirlwind I Sep 1953 42.36145, -71.09669 211 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, MA --- DC Lincoln Labs ESS FSQ-7 (XD1) 1955 42.46059, -71.26733 Building L, Lincoln Labs Hanscom AFB, MA --- LRR HF CDT West Bath ME Mitre Test Site (Jug Handle Hill) FPS-31 LRR FPS-6 (2) HF FST-2 CDT Oct 1955 43.90167, -69.84556 UHF FD Radar Prototype MITRE Corp Inc. after 21 Jul 1958 Closed Nov 1962 --- LRR HF Montauk Point NY Mitre Test Site FPS-3/FPS-20 LRR FPS-6 HF FST-2 CDT 41.06254, -71.87417 --- LRR HF South Truro MA Mitre Test Site FPS-3 LRR FST-2 CDT 41.97575, -70.02398 Search Site? 41.97592 -70.01518 HF Site 41.97331 -70.01957 HF Site? B-1 GF Halibut Point (Rockport) MA SCR-584 SDV Jul 1952 42.68897, -70.63243 B-1A HF Pigeon Hill (Rockport) MA MPS-4 Apr 1952 B-2 GF Scituate MA SCR-584 TPS-10 SDV Oct 1951 Sep 1952 42.17944, -70.72306 Hill Removed B-3 GF Marthas Vineyard MA SP-1M or SCR 584 SDV 29 Oct 1952 41.35528, -70.73467 B-4 GF Bedford MA CPN-18 SDV B-5 GF Hampton Beach NH SCR-784 SDV 25 Aug 1952 42.91846, -70.79594 B-6 GF Foxboro MA CPN-18 SDV Jul 1952 42.06199, -71.28608 B-7 GF Clinton (Boylston) MA CPN-18 SDV Dec 1952 42.37792, -71.69611 B-8 GF Fall River MA CPN-18 SDV Nov 1952 41.72889, -71.06750 same as AWS-06 and GF P-45B/Z-10E B-9 GF Chestnut Hill CT CPN-18 SDV 17 Nov 1952 41.865767, -71.820911 B-10 GF Chatham MA CPN-18 SDV Oct 1952 41.69735, -69.97958 AWS-05A B-11 -- North Truro MA CPS-6B SDV 42.03417, -70.05417 AWS-05 B-12 GF Pine Hill MA Camp Edwards CPN-18 SDV 24 Nov 1952 41.708611, -70.565833 306' B-13 GF HF Nantucket MA SCR-584 SDV Nov 1952 41.28381, -70.05086 Open land B-14 GF Londonderry NH CPN-18 SDV Dec 1952 42.88989, -71.36925 Demolished pad remains Notes: As each radar was brought up it included a Mark X - IFF capability and the interrogation replies were multiplex with the radar data. Cape Cod System fully operational by September 1953, trials began in October 1953 and concluded 15 Jun 1954 with highly favorable results. "The Experimental SAGE Subsector (ESS) was essentially an expansion of the Cape Cod System. But, unlike the Cape Cod System, ESS was a fully operational prototype." See Also: US Radar Sets Sources: Lincoln Laboratory - Cape Cod SAGE Prototype Lincoln Laboratory - Ward & Naka Long, Range UHF Radars for Ground Control of Airborne Interceptors