Airborne Launch Control System

Looking Glass Crew with an EC-135

USAF Photo

The mission of the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS): To provide a highly reliable alternate launch method for the Minuteman missile system.

ALCS-equipped aircraft have the ability to launch Minuteman missiles using a UHF radio signal:

- If the ground launch crews are destroyed or relinquish control
- If all the underground cables going to a particular missile site are severed and the missile is isolated from ground control

When on nuclear alert, the aircraft carry the launch code for the entire Minuteman fleet. Communications connectivity to the Minuteman missiles is tested regularly from the air.

Below are some more resources to learn more about the Airborne Launch Control System.

Minuteman Missile: A Tribute to the ICBM Program has an excellent page on the ALCS.

 

• 

  Summary of the ALCS

  A brief summary of the history of the ALCS by Ranger Jim

• 

  News Release - USAF

  A press release by the USAF on the 4ACCS as released circa 1976