# Back-Up Interceptor Control

Backup Interceptor Control (BUIC, /ˈbjuːɪk/) was the Electronic Systems Division 416M System to backup the SAGE 416L System in the United States and Canada. BUIC deployed Cold War command, control, and coordination systems to SAGE radar stations to create dispersed NORAD Control Centers.
Back-Up Interceptor Control sites :
| Station | Location | BUIC I | BUIC II | BUIC III |
| Baudette AFS | Minnesota | | | 1968 |
| Belleville AFS | Illinois | | | |
| Blaine AFS | Washington | | | |
| Boron AFS | California | | | |
| Calumet Air Force Station | Michigan | | | yes |
| Cape Charles Air Force Station | Virginia | | ?? | |
| Charleston Air Force Station | Maine | 3/1963 | 3/1966 | 12/1969 |
| Fallon Air Force Station | Nevada | | | yes |
| Finland AFS | Minnesota | | yes | |
| Finley AFS | North Dakota | | | |
| Fort Fisher AFS | North Carolina | | | yes |
| Fort Meade radar station | Maryland | yes | | |
| Fortuna Air Force Station | North Dakota | yes | | yes |
| Havre AFS | Montana | | | yes |
| Hutchinson AFS | Kansas | | | |
| Keno AFS | Oregon | | | yes |
| Kirksville AFS | Missouri | | | |
| Makah AFS | Washington | until 3/1966 | | |
| Manassas AFS | Virginia | | | |
| Montauk AFS | New York | | yes | |
| Mount Laguna AFS | California | | | yes |
| North Bend AFS | Oregon | 12/1962 | yes | |
| North Truro AFS | Massachusetts | 1963 | 9/1965 | yes |
| Olathe AFS | Kansas | | | |
| Osceola AFS | Wisconsin | | | |
| Othello AFS | Washington | Yes | | Yes |
| Palermo AFS | New Jersey | | 10/1965 | |
| Port Austin AFS | Michigan | | 1965 | 1968 |
| Rockville AFS | Indiana | | | |
| Saint Albans AFS | Vermont | | | |
| Saratoga Springs AFS | New York | until 1965 | | |
| Tyndall Air Force Base | Florida | | yes | yes |
| Watertown AFS | New York | | | |
| Waverly AFS | Iowa | | | |
| RCAF Station St. Margarets | New Brunswick | yes | yes | yes |
| CFS Senneterre | Quebec | | | yes |

## Background

Prior to the SAGE Direction Centers becoming operational, the USAF deployed data link systems at NORAD Control Centers with ground computers for controlling crewed interceptors. After SAGE IBM AN/FSQ-7 Combat Direction Centrals became operational and the Super Combat Centers with improved (digital) computers were cancelled, a backup to SAGE was planned in the event the above-ground SAGE Air Defense Direction Center failed.

## General Electric AN/GPA-37 Course Directing Group

BUIC began with deployment of General Electric AN/GPA-37 Course Directing Groups to several Long Range Radar stations. Units designated included the "U.S. Air Force 858th Air Defense Group (BUIC) [which became] a permanent operating facility" at Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada.

## BUIC II

BUIC II was used to command and control sites using the Burroughs AN/GSA-51 Radar Course Directing Group. North Truro AFS became the first ADC installation configured for BUIC II.

## BUIC III

The AN/GYK-19 (initially AN/GSA-51A) was an upgraded version of the BUIC II system designated AN/GSA-51A and required a larger building than the AN/GSA-51. The first BUIC III site was Fort Fisher AFS, and Air Defense Command's was first installed at Fort Fisher Air Force Station, North Carolina.
Although more advanced systems were contemplated, the final design of the BUIC III system was an upgraded version of the BUIC II with around twice the performance.

## Closure and upgrade

In 1972, the USAF decided to shut down most of the BUIC sites; most of the sites mothballed by 1974, except for the BUIC III site at Tyndall Air Force Base. In Canada the BUIC site at Senneterre was shut down, but St Margarets remained open. The remaining sites were closed between 1983-1984 when SAGE was replaced by the Joint Surveillance System.
The AN/FYQ-47 Common Digitizer for the Joint Surveillance System, and the Radar Video Data Processor (RVDP) was a combined system for the Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it replaced the SAGE Burroughs AN/FST-2 Coordinate Data Transmitting Sets.