<title>QRC 76-01 USAFE Demonstration</title>

Abstract

The QRC 76-01 system consists of one RF-4C Side Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) data link aircraft, a ground tracking and film processing station, and a SLAR film exploitation station. This system deployed to Zweibrucken Air Base, Germany, to participate in US and NATO exercises held in September 1976. Eight data link SLAR sorties were flown during the exercises, resulting in 145 target reports; 57 targets were found and reported to tactical decision makers in less than one hour from initial detection, and 75 targets in less than two hours. Limited data confirmed the simulated destruction of 19 targets by such weapons as F-111 and F-4 aircraft, artillery and ground missiles. The data link SLAR system proved most successful, with significant advantages over non-data link SLAR: large reduction in time to acquire and report tactical tar-gets; increased battle field coverage; greater flexibility in the location of ground processing equipment and aircraft staging areas; and more effective fusing with collateral intelligence. As a result of the QRC 76-01 demonstration, a number of improvements in areas such as Communications, Command and Control may be required.