# IBM 473L Command and Control System

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The **IBM 473L Command and Control System** (**473L System**, **473L** [colloq.](/source/Colloquialism)) was a USAF[1] [Cold War](/source/Cold_War) "Big L" Support System with computer equipment at [The Pentagon](/source/The_Pentagon) and, in Pennsylvania, the [Alternate National Military Command Center nuclear bunker](/source/Raven_Rock_Mountain_Complex). Each 473L site included a Data Processing Subsystem (DPSS), Integrated Console Subsystem (ICSS),[2] Large Panel Display Subsystem, and Data Communications Subsystem[3] ([Automatic Digital Network](/source/Automatic_Digital_Network) interface:[4] "AUTODIN Data Terminal Bay").[5] The "System 473L" was an "on-line, real-time information processing system designed to facilitate effective management of USAF resources, particularly during emergency situations"[6] e.g., for: "situation monitoring, resource monitoring, plan evaluation, plan generation and modification, and operations monitoring".[7] In 1967, the 473L System was used during the "HIGH HEELS 67" exercise "to test the whole spectrum of command in a strategic crisis".[8]: 430

## Background

In early 1952, the Pentagon's [USAF Command Post](/source/Joint_War_Room) (AFCP) "arranged" to receive [Air Defense Command](/source/Air_Defense_Command) (ADC) exercise data[9] such as for planned mock attacks into defense sectors by faker aircraft (e.g., in 1955 [on Amarillo, Denver, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, San Antonio](/source/Fairchild_Trophy)[10] and Phoenix.[11]) An [Experimental SAGE Subsector](/source/Experimental_SAGE_Subsector)"[12] for testing a [Semi Automatic Ground Environment](/source/Semi_Automatic_Ground_Environment) (SAGE) was created using a July 1955 [prototype air defense computer](/source/IBM_AN/FSQ-7_Combat_Direction_Central#Development)[13] ADC's 1955 command post blockhouse was completed at Ent AFB, and "in September 1955, the Air Force…replace[d its] command post's outmoded telephone system with a modern switchboard with 100 long-distance lines and room for more, so that 20 people in various parts of the country could hold as many as four conferences at a time".[8] The [Alternate Joint Communication Center](/source/Alternate_Joint_Communication_Center) in [the Raven Rock nuclear bunker](/source/Raven_Rock_Mountain_Complex) was equipped by the end of 1955,[9] and ADC broke ground in 1957 for deploying the [Burroughs 416L SAGE Air Defense System](/source/Burroughs_416L_SAGE_Air_Defense_System)[14] (the [BMEWS](/source/BMEWS) 474L [General Operational Requirement](/source/General_Operational_Requirement) was specified in 1958.) After President [Dwight D. Eisenhower](/source/Dwight_D._Eisenhower) expressed concern about nuclear command and control, a "1958 reorganization in [NCA](/source/National_Command_Authority_(United_States)) relations with the joint commands" was implemented,[8] and the "[AWCS 512L" system](/source/General_Electric_AN/GPA-73_Air_Weapons_Control_System) was deployed by June 1958. The GOR for a computerized 465L [SAC Automated Command and Control System](/source/SAC_Automated_Command_and_Control_System) was issued in 1958 for [Strategic Air Command](/source/Strategic_Air_Command)'s nuclear bunkers (1957 [Offutt AFB](/source/Offutt_AFB) bunker & 1958 at [The Notch](/source/Post-Attack_Command_and_Control_System_Facility,_Hadley)). A [Joint War Room](/source/Joint_War_Room) was activated at the Pentagon in 1960 and in December 1960, the AFCP reverted to a USAF-only mission when its "joint and national responsibilities" ended.[15] After a "Quick Fix" program completed in the fall of 1960[9] and [NORAD](/source/NORAD)'s [Alert Network Number 1](/source/Alert_Network_Number_1) was providing data from the [Ent AFB](/source/Ent_AFB) command post in Colorado Springs, the AFCP had several rear projection screens, DEFCON status boards, and a display with colored regional blocks for the [Bomb Alarm System](/source/Bomb_Alarm_System)[16] (work had started in May 1959 for transmitting BAS data to "six[where?] command centers".)[17] In January 1962, the [Deep Underground Command Center](/source/Deep_Underground_Command_Center) was planned as a nuclear bunker beneath the Pentagon (the Raven Rock bunker would be phased out.)

The [Air Force Command Post Systems Division](/source/Air_Force_Command_Post_Systems_Division) was activated in 1960 for handling AFCP equipment issues (cf. [AFSC's](/source/Air_Force_Systems_Command) [Electronic Systems Division](/source/Electronic_Systems_Division) which had the SPO) and in October 1962, [DoD](/source/United_States_Department_of_Defense) Directive S-5100.30 "designated 473L as the “Air Force service headquarters subsystem” of the [Worldwide Military Command and Control System](/source/Worldwide_Military_Command_and_Control_System) (WWMCCS) established the same month."[9]

## OTC phase

The "Operational and Training Capability" (OTC) phase by [IBM Federal Systems](/source/IBM_Federal_Systems)[16] was the first stage of development for the 473 program.[16] Each "Computer Communication Console" by [TRW](/source/TRW_Inc.) Space Technology Laboratories[7] for OTC was part of the "DC400B/DIB display and interrogation system" that had 2 "10-inch CRT displays together with a sophisticated keyboard"[16] This "temporary 473L system"[9] had an [IBM 1401](/source/IBM_1401) computer and [IBM 1405 Disk Storage Unit](/source/IBM_1405_Disk_Storage_Unit).[16] On January 1, 1963, [ESD's](/source/Electronic_Systems_Center#Electronic_Systems_Division) 473L [System Program Office](/source/System_Program_Office) was expanded (473L/492L SPO) with the added 492L responsibility for developing the [United States Strike Command](/source/United_States_Strike_Command)'s [Joint Airborne Communications Center/Command Post](http://www.mocavo.com/Congressional-Record-Volume-113-2/610445/1155) (SPOs were separated on June 15, 1965).[18]

## OUR phase

As an upgrade before the IOC phase, an [IBM 1410](/source/IBM_1410) was leased in February 1964, and the IBM 1401 computer was phased out by April—revision of OTC software for the 1410 computer was by Project OUR (OTC Update and Revision).[9]

## IOC phase

The [Librascope AN/FYQ-11 Data Processor Set](/source/Librascope_AN/FYQ-11_Data_Processor_Set)[5] was "a configuration of the L-3055" computer that [Librascope](/source/Librascope) manufactured at [Glendale](/source/Glendale,_California)[19] procured for the Initial Operational Capability phase with limited FYQ-11 equipment (e.g., without OA-6041 Control-Indicator Console).[3] and only "4 integrated consoles".[2] FYQ-11 had been accepted by the USAF [Electronic Systems Division](/source/Electronic_Systems_Division) in late March 1965[9]: 39 to replace the IBM 1410 (each FYQ-11 was "234 cu ft [and required] 500 sq ft" area).[20] The FYQ-11 had been proposed on February 19, 1962, for the Complete Operational Capability[4] (dual AN/FYQ-11 sets with only a single OA-6041.)[3] COC programs planned for the L-3055 included the "Deployment Monitor", "ACE-Tactical", and "ACE-Transport"[21] ([Computer Based Training](/source/Computer_Based_Training) on the FYQ-11 was also planned.)[22] After FYQ-11 problems, [the USAF Chief of Staff](/source/John_P._McConnell_(general)) in 1966 cancelled the AN/FYQ-11 and the [Comptroller](/source/Comptroller_General_of_the_United_States) was directed to dispose of "the L-3055 system's equipment"[9] (1977 lawsuit claims by the 1968 Librascope parent--[The Singer Company](/source/The_Singer_Company)—were denied.)

## Complete operational capability

A second IBM 1410 computer was installed by December 15, 1966,[9]: 47 and the entire 473L System included:

**AN/FYA-2 Integrated Data Transfer Console**- The AN/FYA-2[5] ("473L Integrated Console"[23] with Logic Keyboard Display (LKB) provided the fully equipped 473L operator environment—cf. AN/FYA-3[24] didn't have a Hard Copy Device (HC) for the Multicolored Display (MC), nor a Console Printer (CP); while the AN/FYA-4 only had an Electronic Typewriter/Display (RT) and CP.[2] The console was run by a **Monitor Program** in the DPSS,[21] and "operational capabilities [were] exercised via operational capability overlays; that is, via plastic masks fitting over the logic keyboard portion of the operator console."[6] The original COC plan was for DPSS output for 11 MCs and 15 CPs (i.e., 4 of the simplest AN/FYA-4 consoles for printing reports).[3]
**Query Language (473L Query)**- [25] Query Language was "very similar to the [COLINGO](/source/COLINGO) query language[7] and was "a constrained English language…for man-machine communication in System 473L. …to retrieve data from any file in the system or to perform certain other functions."[21] For example, the code for airfields both within Brazil and within a 2000-mile [great-circle distance](/source/Great-circle_distance) of [Brazilia](/source/Brazilia) is:[7] - *Retrieve airfields with country > Brazil, GCD (Brazilia » 2000)*

**Large Panel Display Subsystem[3]**- IT&T was awarded the May 1965 contract for the large 473L display which was to present information in both [black and white](/source/Black_and_white) and in color.[9] In 1971 an [Iconorama](/source/Iconorama) was still being used by "[NORAD](/source/NORAD) at[where?] the Air Force System 473L".[26]

## References

1. ["473L System's AN/FYQ-11"](http://scienceservice.si.edu/pages/052125.htm) (article transcript at scienceservice.si.edu). *Electronics*. July 30, 1964. Retrieved 2014-04-02. [Air Force Command Post Systems Division](/source/Air_Force_Command_Post_Systems_Division) under the USAF Deputy Chief… Built around two large computers and 25 other electronic units, the data-processing equipment will become the nerve center of USAF's 473L command-and-control system already at work in the Air Force Command Post at the Pentagon. … The 473L complex

1. Brown, C.B. (4 December 1962). [*473L DPSS/ICSS Interface Description*](https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD0297312.pdf) (Technical Memorandum). No. TM-3511. [MITRE Corporation](/source/MITRE_Corporation). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141024225843/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/297312.pdf) October 24, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-06-01.

1. [*Programmer's Reference Manual For An L-3055 Data Processing System Used As The AN/FYQ-11 Data Processor Set*](https://web.archive.org/web/20140413124456/http://www.marksmath.com/files/librascope/prm-01.html). 15 September 1963. Archived from [the original](http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/generalPrecision/L-3055/L-3055_Programmers_Reference_Manual_Sep63.pdf) on 2014-04-13. Retrieved 2014-04-08. Central Processor, Control Console, and Core Memory … Buffer Processors …Magnetic Tape Consoles, Card Reader/Punch, and Line Printer…Disc Memory()

1. ["books.google.com/books?id=YLGRAAAAIAAJ&dq=IT%26T+473L&pg=PA699"](https://books.google.com/books?id=YLGRAAAAIAAJ&dq=IT%26T+473L&pg=PA699). December 14, 1977. On October 16, 1962, the System Program Director forwarded to Librascope a draft of the interface specification that had been generated by the SIDG meetings. The accompanying transmittal document requested the 473-L [DPSS] contractor and subcontractors to review the draft specification … L-119 [buffer processor](/source/Data_buffer)

1. ["Figure 1-2. AN/FYQ-11 Data Flow and Switching Control Diagram"](http://www.marksmath.com/files/librascope/prm-fig-01-2.html), "Programmer's Reference Manual For An L-3055 Data Processing System Used As The AN/FYQ-11 Data Processor Set", pp. 1–3, 1–4, [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221125/http://www.marksmath.com/files/librascope/prm-fig-01-2.html) 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 2014-04-06

1. Appendix A of TR-66-261

1. [*Full text of "mitre :: ESD Technical Reports :: ESD-TR-65-171 Advanced Programming Developments A Survey Feb65"*](https://archive.org/stream/bitsavers_mitreESDTe65171AdvancedProgrammingDevelopmentsASur_5291796/ESD-TR-65-171_Advanced_Programming_Developments_A_Survey_Feb65_djvu.txt). February 1965. Retrieved 2015-03-08.

1. Wainstein, L. (Project Leader) (June 1975). *The Evolution of U.S. Strategic Command and Control and Warning, 1945-1972*. No. Study S-467. [Institute for Defense Analyses](/source/Institute_for_Defense_Analyses)

1. Sturm, Thomas A. (August 1967). [*The Air Force Command and Control System: 1950-1966*](https://web.archive.org/web/20130216195235/http://www.afhso.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-110429-030.pdf). USAF Historical Division Liaison Office. Archived from [the original](http://www.afhso.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-110429-030.pdf) on 2013-02-16. Retrieved 2014-04-02. the Army maintained that the Air Force command and control network was insufficiently reliable to permit proper control of Army weapons [e.g., [Nike missiles](/source/Nike_missile)] in a crisis, and as a result the two services were, from a practical standpoint, poles apart on the issue of single control of weapons.

1. ["7th WING OPERATIONS HISTORY, 1955-1958"](http://www.7bwb-36assn.org/b36genhistpg4.html). *7th BOMB WING B-36 ASSOCIATION Inc. 1981 - 2010*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121006083920/http://www.7bwb-36assn.org/b36genhistpg4.html) 2012-10-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-09-18.

1. ["Fairchild Wing To Get Trophy In Bomb Tests"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19550502&id=XPpXAAAAIBAJ&pg=4206,164978). *Spokane Daily Chronicle*. May 2, 1955. Retrieved 2015-03-08.

1. Preble, H.L. (September 1963). [*Data Reliability of Three Bell A1 Magnetic Tape Recording Systems*](https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD0419183.pdf). [Mitre Corporation](/source/Mitre_Corporation). ESD-TDR-63-172. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180726205931/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/419183.pdf) July 26, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-06-01.

1. [*Biweekly Report for 29 July 1955*](http://dome.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.3/45992/MC665_r14_6M-3797.pdf?sequence=1) (minutes). No. Memorandum 6M-3797. [Lincoln Laboratory](/source/Lincoln_Laboratory) Division 6. Retrieved 2014-04-06. All [XD-1](/source/IBM_AN/FSQ-7_Combat_Direction_Central#Development) frames have now been delivered. The LRI and output frames arrived 29 July.

1. ["Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE)"](http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/sage.htm). *Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)*. GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2013-03-04.

1. Sturm, Thomas A. (Summer 1969). "Emergence of the Air Force Command and Control System". *[Aerospace Commentary](/source/Aerospace_Commentary)*. **1:3**: 42. (cited by Wainstein *Study S-467* p. 119)

1. [*Antaccs Project*](http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/informatics/antaccs/ANTACCS_Project_Midway_Report_Jul64.pdf) (Midway Report). July 1964. Retrieved 2014-04-02. the first stage of the 473L program called the Operational and Training Capability (OTC) phase. This was implemented by [IBM Federal Systems Division](/source/IBM_Federal_Systems_Division) by the Introduction of the IBM 1401/[1405 (disc)](/source/IBM_1405) systems together with the DC400B/DIB display and interrogation system of [Thompson Ramo Wooldridge](/source/Thompson_Ramo_Wooldridge). … System 473L uses configuration c) with two consoles and the IBM-140l computer. (text-only copy [available at archive.org.)](https://archive.org/stream/bitsavers_informaticectMidwayReportJul64_17075439/ANTACCS_Project_Midway_Report_Jul64_djvu.txt)

1. ["Nuclear Attack to Trigger Automatic AF Alarm System"](https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/60598553/). *Bridgeport Post*. March 7, 1960. Retrieved 2014-04-02. Brig.- Gen. J. B. Bestic, deputy for Air Force communications and electronics, disclosed details of the [\[AN/GSQ-44\] “atomic strike recording system](/source/AN/GSQ-44_Atomic_Strike_Recording_Set)” in testimony to a House Military Appropriations subcommittee

1. Del Papa, Dr. E. Michael & Warner, Mary P (October 1987). [*A Historical Chronology of the Electronic Systems Division 1947–1986*](https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA201708.pdf). No. ESD-TR-88-276 (AD-A201 708). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105532/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a201708.pdf) December 24, 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-06-01.

1. ["Climate for Ingenuity"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140413144522/http://www.librascopememories.com/Librascope_Memories/History_files/Climate%20for%20Ingenuity%20-%201965.pdf). *Librascope Memories*. August 1965. Archived from [the original](http://www.librascopememories.com/Librascope_Memories/History_files/Climate%20for%20Ingenuity%20-%201965.pdf) on 2014-04-13. Retrieved 2015-03-08.

1. ["LIBRASCOPE L3055"](http://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/BRL64-l.html#LIBRASCOPE-L3055). *A Fourth Survey of Domestic Electronic Digital Computing Systems*. January 1964. BRL Report No. 1227. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150916184557/http://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/BRL64-l.html#LIBRASCOPE-L3055) 2015-09-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-03-08.

1. Schiff, J.D.; Chenevert, M.L.; Bennett, W.F. (April 1966). [*Computer Directed Training: System 473L Query Language*](https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD0483236.pdf). No. ESD-TR-66-261. ESD Decision Science Laboratory. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141220/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/483236.pdf) April 13, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-06-01.

1. O'Brien, John T. (7 October 1968), ["Review of Technical Document \[ESD-TR-66-261\]"](https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD0483236.pdf) (letter), *Computer Directed Training: System 473L Query Language*, letter is last page of PDF: ESD Public Information Division, ESD-TR-66-261, [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141220/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/483236.pdf) April 13, 2014 at the Wayback Machine

1. [*Final Report of the First Phase of the Advanced Naval Tactical Command and Control Study*](http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/informatics/antaccs/ANTACCS_Final_Report_Phase_One_Volume_V_Technology_Part_1_Jan65.pdf). Vol. V - Technology. [Informatics Inc.](/source/Informatics_General). pp. V39-V310. Consoles tied to a core memory buffer which is connected to an IBM 1401 or 1410 at the Air Force Command Post (OTC of 473L). … Data Display Central 465L … LTV 7000 High Speed Display System

1. ["Console, Data Transfer, Integrated an-FYA-2, an-FYA-3 and an-FYA-4"](http://www.document-center.com/standards/show/MIL-C-27114). *Document Center, Inc.*. MIL-C-27114. Retrieved 2015-03-08.

1. Kinnersley, Bill. ["The Language List Version 1.8 - Part 1 of 9"](https://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/project/ai-repository/ai/areas/doc/bib/langs.txt). comp.lang.misc. 473L Query - English-like query language for Air Force 473L system. Sammet 1969, p.665.)

1. Kent, A. & Lancour, H. (1971). [*Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science: Volume 5 - Circulation to Coordinate Indexing*](https://books.google.com/books?id=dvWkHF_6NAgC). Taylor & Francis. p. 398. ISBN 9780824720056. Retrieved 2015-03-08.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [IBM 473L Command and Control System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_473L_Command_and_Control_System) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_473L_Command_and_Control_System?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.