Falling Leaves (radar network)
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Falling Leaves was an improvised ballistic missile early warning system of the United States Air Force. It was set up during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and networked 3 existing U.S. radars—2 Space Detection and Tracking System (SPADATS) radars and an Aircraft Control and Warning general surveillance radar which was modified by Sperry Corporation to 1,500 mi (1,300 nmi; 2,400 km) range, allowing detection in space near Cuba.[1] The designation was assigned by the 9th Aerospace Defense Division, headquartered at Ent AFB, Colorado.
Soviet R-12 Dvina IRBMs arrived in Cuba on 8 September 1962. U.S. intelligence sources in Cuba then reported lengthy missiles transported through towns, and three R-12 sites were subsequently photographed by Lockheed U-2s by 19 October. Afterwards, the Cuban Missile Early Warning System (CMEWS) radars were "realigned" to monitor for nuclear missile launches from the new Soviet launch sites.[2]
The Falling Leaves system used the following:[2]
- RCA AN/FPS-49 radar prototype[3] of 1961,[4]: 54 being developed at Major Defense Systems Division in New Jersey for the under-construction BMEWS Site III at RAF Fylingdales in Yorkshire, England. Site III was intended to have 3 of the tracking radars. The prototype was "withdrawn from SPADATS and realigned to provide missile surveillance over Cuba" on 24 October.[2]
- AN/FPS-78[2] at Laredo Air Force Station in Texas, to which was added "real time radar display equipment" from an Alaska radar station.[5] (realigned 26 October)
- Sperry AN/FPS-35 frequency diverse radar[6] at Thomasville Air Force Station in Alabama, operated by "Task Force Able"[5] and later awarded a Unit Citation for Falling Leaves (698th[1] commanded by Lt. Colonel Kenneth Gordon[5]). (30 October)
