AN/DRC-8 Emergency Rocket Communications System

Emergency Rocket Communications System
Emergency Rocket Communications System
	Emergency Rocket Communications System payload
Type	Intercontinental ballistic missile/Communications System
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1963–1968 (Blue Scout); 1968–1991 (Minuteman II);
Used by	United States 510th Missile Squadron;
Production history
Manufacturer	Boeing
Unit cost	US$7,000,000 (equivalent to $63,294,737 in 2024)
Specifications
Mass	78,000 pounds (35,000 kg)
Length	59 feet 9.5 inches (18.225 m)
Diameter	5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) (1st stage)
Warhead	1 kW UHF Transmitter
Engine	Three solid-propellant rocket motors; First stage – Thiokol TU-122 (M-55); Second stage – Aerojet-General SR-19-AJ-1; Third stage – Aerojet/Thiokol SR73-AJ/TC-1;
Operational; range	8,100 miles (13,000 km)
Flight altitude	700 miles (1,100 km)
Maximum speed	Approximately 15,000 miles per hour (Mach 20; 24,000 km/h; 6.7 km/s) (terminal phase)
Guidance; system	Inertial
Launch; platform	Silo

The Emergency Rocket Communications System (ERCS) was designed to provide a reliable and survivable emergency communications method for the United States National Command Authority, using a UHF repeater placed atop a Blue Scout rocket or Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile.^: 34-37 ERCS was deactivated as a communication means when President George H.W. Bush issued a message to stand down SIOP-committed bombers and Minuteman IIs on 27 September 1991. Headquarters SAC was given approval by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to deactivate the 494L payloads beginning 1 October 1992. However, Headquarters SAC believed it was inefficient and unnecessary to support ERCS past fiscal year 1991, and kept the accelerated deactivation schedule.

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