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AN/FLR-9

The AN/FLR-9, operated by the Air Intelligence Agency, is part of the DOD World Wide High Frequency Direction Finding System. High-frequency radio communication signals travel to receivers over the horizon by bouncing off the ionosphere. The shell of ionised particles which surrounds the earth refracts the signals so that they return to earth rather than disappear out into space. The clarity of the signal received depends on atmospheric and topographical conditions. HF-DF stations detect radio signals from aircraft or ships, and calculate the direction, or line of bearing, of the radio transmitter from the direction finding antenna. When the same signal is received by two or more antennae, the intersection of the lines of bearing mark the transmitter's location, using either precision single station location (SSL) capability, or in a network of DF stations using both multi-station azimuth triangulation and SSL. High Frequency Acquisition (AQ) and Direction Finding (DF) operations are performed with the Narrowband System (NBS) and Wideband Direction Finding (WBDF) Subsystem in support of normal and degraded communications modes, using both adaptive reception and super-resolution direction finding techniques.

The AN/FLR-9 circularly disposed antenna array (CDAA), popularly known as elephant cages*, have a nominal range between 150 to 5000 kilometers.

* DD Kavanagh writes: "I was the ESD Field Officer, stationed at Fuchu, Japan, responsible for construction of the FLR-9s at Clark and at Misawa in 1964. My NCO, stationed at Misawa, was C/MSgt. Joseph E. Rabig. The work those days was very hush, hush. As the structure went up there was much speculation at Misawa about what the purpose was. Joe came up with the explanation that it was an 'Elephant Cage.' He maintained that was their purpose and justified the explanation by pointing out: 'They work pretty well, don't they. You don't see any elephants running around loose do you?' I guess the name stuck."

Consisting of two rings of HF antennae, the inner ring, for monitoring longer longer wavelength signals, is typically some 230 meters in diameter with some containing 40 folded dipoles. The outer ring for monitoring shorter HF wavelengths is is about 260 meters in diameter and contains some 120 sleeve monopoles. Inside each ring is a large wire screen, supported by 80 towers, to shield antennae on the other side of the array from HF signals from crossing the array, which would interfering with geolocation operations. A horizontal ground screen about 400 meters in diameter surrounds the entire site. The station's intercept operators work in an operations building in the center of the array.

DD Kavanagh writes: I happened to come across your FLR-9 page while surfing the net the other day. I regret to inform you that some aspects of your description of its operation were very incorrect.
The outer ring of 48 monopole antenna elements covered the portion of the spectrum from about 3 Mhz. to just below 6 Mhz. (These band frequency numbers are only very approximate. My memory isn't that good, 40 years later.) Just behind them was an inner ring of 96 monopole elements that covered from about 6 Mhz to about 12 Mhz. Behind the second ring was the vertical reflecting screen, 105" in height whose purpose was to assure the calculated directivity of the 6 vertical elements that were combined by the goniometer in the central building to provide the requisite directivity. Just outside the central building was a circular, vertical structure that held an assembly of 48 bow tie type antennae that were similarly combined in appropriate receiving groups to provide the requisite directivity on the bands from about 18 Mhz. to 30 Mhz.
The surrounding ground screen, combined with the circular, vertical "elephant cage" assured the proper combination of earth conductivity and reflective backdrop to assure the proper radiation pattern of the vertical elements. It was practically transparent to the generally horizontally polarized pattern of the high band, bow tie antenna elements. --DDK

CINCARDF writes:
I'm with DD. Plus, I differ with your statement, "The station's . . . operators work in an operations building in the center of the array." That would be a pretty small operation, given that building's size. Through the miracle of cable, they worked outside the Elephant Cage in much larger facilities befitting the AN/FLR-9's cost and capabilities.
[And, since you include anecdotal evidence, you might like to know that someone in Japan inappropriately said the FLR-9s were "Missile Catchers," which caused quite a stir in the Misawa area for a time. Who wants to be an intentional Ground Zero?]
Back to the purely factual side, a cross reference to the Soviet Krug system might be appropriate (plus maybe Fix-Four and Fix-Eight). Plus, I am glad you said "nominal range" given troposcatter, thermal inversions, and just plain bad radio weather: I'd put it at 20-5500+ km.

In 1964 the San Vito base and the base at Chicksands were the first to be equipped with the FLR-9 radio interception system and were part of a new intelligence network codenamed `Iron Horse'. Three other FLR-9 antennae are known to have been built at Misawa Air Base in Japan, Clark Air Base in the Philippines, and Elmendorf Air Base in Alaska.

Bob Ney writes (05/2006):
I read with great interest the information about the FaiLuRe 9 as it was sometimes derogatorily known. I was one of the two senior engineers who oversaw the installation of the equipment in the Central Building back in 1962/1963. Actually, the system was up and running by the middle of 1963. I personally phased and cut in the first six operational beams on the "A" band at San Vito so that we could demonstrate contractual compliance before a deadline for operation in either late February or early March of 1963. DD Kavannaugh was the lead senior tech at Brindisi and I still have a photograph of the group from PSO/ESD that was there for the installation.
You do not mention that the FLR-9 design was based on the Wollen-Weber antenna used by the German Navy to allow Admiral Donnitz to communicate with his submarines during WW II. I did see the reference at the bottom of the page. I believe that antenna was not a full 360 degrees as the FLR-9s were.
I was also involved in the installation in England at Chicksands.
There is an interesting little anecdote having to do with the vertical antennas. From a distance, they resembled the old Redstone missiles and someone in the British Communist Party started the rumour that this was a "Missile Base" that was being built on British soil. A protest march was being organized and the American military was just waiting to embarass the organizers when somebody, probably KGB, informed them of the true use and the rally was called off.
Also, in Italy, someone goofed in the design of the facilities around the central building and buried the two septic tanks on top of a quiescent artesian spring. Everything was good until the rainy season arrived. I remember looking out and seeing the concrete covers floating on top of the upwelling water. The Air Force then contacted the local "Honey Wagon" to come out and pump the tanks and he got to them all right. However, when he tried to leave, he was much heavier and with the mud, he bogged down and after about 30 metres of travel, he couldn't move any farther. Well, the Corps of Engineers went to get their D-8 Cat, but it wouldn't start. Then they got a tank recovery vehicle, but it was too tall to get through the gate in the HF array. The FordAll tractor just spun his wheels, so, the honey wagon guy sort of shrugged his shoulders in a typically Italian way and opened the valves on the truck. Since this was just a few metres from the front door and upwind at that, getting to the central building was a 'hold-your-breath-and-run' event for about a week. I wanted to plant watermelon seeds but they wouldn't let me. --BN

Timothy Mills writes:

I was the Civil Engineer (Facilities Superintendent) for the 301st IS at Misawa AB from June 1988 to December 1996. The line about people saying that the FLR-9 was a missile catcher reflects an experience of mine in a Facilities Board meeting. I was backstopping for my Colonel in the meeting when a 2nd Lt. sitting next to me leaned over and whispered to me: "I was told that the silos around the outside of the FLR-9 are secret missile placements for Air Base Defense. I know it's gotta be classified, but is it true?" Looking back at him, I was dumbfounded that he would say such a thing; and doubly dumbfounded that he would think that if it were so, that I would breach security by talking about classified information in public. Recovering my composure, I gave my best poker face and replied, "I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of missles on Security Hill." "Oh, okay," he said. {wink-nod} "I understand."

Raymond Sicotte writes:

I was an rf engineer on the Calibration and Monitoring (Cal and Mon) System of FLR-9 and assisted with the installations in Brindisi, Italy in Jan-Feb 1963 as well as Chicksands, UK in June-July 1963. The Cal and Mon System was designed by engineers at the then Sylvania Electronic Systems (Later GTE Systems) located in Mountain View, CA and Waltham, MA. The Cal and Mon System was designed to maintain the integrity of the phase and amplitude matching of the receiving system, in particular the then vacuum tube preamplifiers that had a propensity to drift as they aged. The preamps were later updated to all solid state and negated much of the need for the Cal and Mon System.

I can corroborate the story about the sleeve monopole antenna structures being mistaken for missiles in Brindisi. The natives there were very curious about them at the time of the installation.

David Michael Wade writes:

What a delight for me to come across information about my "electronic spying" job there outside of Brindisi, Italy! For eighteen months between the summer of 1962 and January of 1964, I functioned as a "202," or Radio Intercept Analysis Specialist, then a "titless WAF," because all operations people (292s, 203s, and 202s) consisted of men. Our base security during those years consisted of an air policeman and an Italian interpreter manning a small guard shack along a kind of ring road extending out toward the main highway, which at that time offered a splendid view of that puzzling FLR/9. I arrived for duty during what I remember to be the final construction phase of the FLR/9. For a short period, in fact, I earned more money per week putting cables together than I earned for an entire month from the Air Force! When I had the occasion to visit the site in either 1987 or 1988, the view toward the entire base from the highway had been completely blocked. The easy-going mannerisms of the former Air Force AP had been replaced by a down-to-earth-tough US Marine, who spoke fluent Italian. When I attempted to get permission to go on base, the Marine treated me as though I, ironically, were a foreign spy! Interestingly enough, my tour there awakened an appetite for German language. After my discharge in 1965, I went on to obtain a master's degree in German language and literature. I'd like to give a "shout" to my former roommates, Jimmy C. Griffin and Samuel L. Solomon. Hi! Then, too, whatever happened to you, Bill Guy?

BW writes:

Your page is a bit incomplete, I would like to add that there was also a FLR-9 facility just south of Homestead AFB Florida, the remains are quite visible on Google Earth at 25.372471,-80.423269

This particular location was operated by the Naval Security Group up until 1992 when hurricane Andrew severely damaged the antennas. I was one of the few Air Force personnel allowed in the place and each time I drove thru the antenna array I was in awe of the immensity of it.

KH writes:

Contrary to BW's claim, the antenna at Homestead, FL (a former Naval Security Group RDF and signal intercept site) was a Navy AN/FRD-10 -- at least it was when I was stationed there, as a Naval Security Group electronic maintenance person, from 1969 to 1971.

Here are a few photos of the antenna, photographed by me during my time at Homestead: http://www.navycthistory.com/homestead_KJH_1.html

Facilities

Augsburg, Germany
RAF Chicksands, UK
Clark AFB, Phillipines
Elmendorf AFB, AK
Karamursel, Turkey
Misawa AB, Japan
Ramasun, Thailand
San Vito dei Normanni AS, Italy

Sources and Resources

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http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/an-flr-9.htm
Maintained by Steven Aftergood
Created by John Pike
Updated January 17, 2012