Bomb Alarm System
Encyclopedia
The Bomb Alarm System was a US and UK network of optical sensors intended to confirm the detonation of an enemy nuclear weapon near cities or military installations within the US or at US operated early warning radar sites in the UK or Greenland.
The BAS was designed by Western Union
in 1959 and was in full operation by 1962. The BAS was the responsibility of the 9th Space Division. The BAS operated until 1967.
The BAS sensors were designed to report the occurrence of a nuclear flash via telephone or telegraph lines before the sensor was destroyed by the explosion. They were designed to ignore spurious signals from lightning, sunlight, or electrical surges.
The BAS was designed by Western Union
Western Union
The Western Union Company is a financial services and communications company based in the United States. Its North American headquarters is in Englewood, Colorado. Up until 2006, Western Union was the best-known U.S...
in 1959 and was in full operation by 1962. The BAS was the responsibility of the 9th Space Division. The BAS operated until 1967.
The BAS sensors were designed to report the occurrence of a nuclear flash via telephone or telegraph lines before the sensor was destroyed by the explosion. They were designed to ignore spurious signals from lightning, sunlight, or electrical surges.