Long Beach (CGN 9) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 29 text:

X X X Xxx

Page 28 text:

TE DIVISIGN Maintaining the two Terrier launching systems and the birds which go with them is the re- sponsibility of MTE Division, sister of MFEH in the Weapons Department. The launching system - made up of three ma- jor components: launcher, feeder system and control system - is powerful and complex. Ter- riers are stored in magazines deep within the ship, but when required- singly or in rapid succession - they can be automatically delivered to the remote-controlled launcher in condition for firing. Routine and pre-flight checks of the missiles are accomplished by HTEW personnel in the missile house with an impressive array of test equipment, such gear itself requires con- siderable maintenance. Anytime visitors come aboard, the first thing they want to see is a demonstration of the ship 's weapons capabilities, MTE men, therefore, are often called upon during in-port periods to take their stations and put their baby through its paces. Underway, this Division's watch assignments include fog watches and stations on the bridge. Constant coordination with MFE in checking out the complete loading, launching and guidance systems is routine, and this intensive training and rehearsal are evidenced in smooth perform- ance whenever their missiles are put to the test. The T errzer rnzsszle launchzng system zs the respomzbzhzfy of TE Dwzszon T has solzdfuel rocket left zs e eczfwe at ranges zn excess of I0 mzles The vztal pre launch and launch work constant teszfmg and mamtenance zs zncompre henszble to the Zayrrzen roulzne to the experts, right . . . If J: . . . - , , if J -swarm -: M, ., . - . V- f--T ' sf - N e w ,.. W----- -' ..,..,,,i,.,,,. .,,,. ....,..

Page 30 text:

FE DIVISION While the pre-launch and launch phases of the Terrier System are handled by MTE Division, the important mission of insuring the missile scores a hit on its target rests with another Weap- ons Department Division - MFE . The check- out, operation and maintenance of the four Ter- rier fire control radars and their associated computers are the prime responsibility of these men. Prior to Long Beach? commissioning, when the radars and computers were being installed, Fire Control Technicians began reporting aboard to put the system into operationg at this time the Division was known as NFB - a designation they retained until the cruiser was in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Cl962j for extensive modification of the systems. There were long hours of hard work involved in the installation, testing and evaluation of the new components, until finally CCN-9 was ready to fire the BT3 QND type missile. Out at sea again after the yard period, the ship successfully fired them for evaluation. At this time 'KFEH received the first of the System Op- erability Tests, designed to check out the entire weapons system for the Terrier-tests which became their daily responsibility thereafter. When the ship returned from its initial Medi- terranean deployment 'cFE began incorporat- ing equipment changes for the new HT type missile. Time was short for these alterations, and when this was accompanied by considerable difficulties with the new equipment, it was neces- sary for the Division once again to devote exten- sive hours placing the system in a reliable operability status. At sea again, after some early problems were ironed out, the new missile was successfully fired. Undoubtedly there will be additional modifica- tions to the system in the future, improving mis- sile performance even more, and when these are accomplished, it will be MFE personnel utilizing their considerable technological training and skill to keep theiri ubirdsa' flying on target.