Description
Raytheon BCC-426A Control, Test Programmer for HAWK Battery Control Central, Ordnance No. 9166729
Item Overview
This Raytheon Control, Test Programmer is marked BCC-426A and Ordnance No. 9166729. It is a specialized plug-in maintenance module for the Battery Control Central of the HAWK surface-to-air missile system. Its PSI 1–4 selector and connections marked TCC, FCC, VIDEO GATE, and SWEEP match circuits documented in the Army’s HAWK Battery Control Central material.
Identification and Features
The module has front-panel test connections, switches, twin carrying handles, and a large rear contact array that connected it to a larger test console. The blue AMP contact board supplied the programmed circuit connections required by the BCC test procedure. BCC-426A is best understood as a test-program or circuit designation rather than the model number of a complete test station.
- Manufacturer: Raytheon
- Official nomenclature: Control, Test Programmer
- Program designation: BCC-426A
- Ordnance number: 9166729
- Stock number: 4935-00-167-8512
- Serial number: 50003
- Blue contact board: AMP 595396-1
- Contact-board ordnance number: 9172493
- Contact-board revision: REV B
- Package notation: A-11/75
- End-item application: HAWK Battery Control Central
Historical Background
The BCC-426A belongs to the Cold War generation of specialized electronic maintenance equipment developed for the HAWK missile system. HAWK used many radar, display, timing, command, and launcher circuits that required dedicated test programs for troubleshooting. Raytheon produced plug-in programmers that allowed a larger shop test station to be configured for a selected HAWK subsystem. The November 1975 package or processing notation places this example during the period when Improved HAWK equipment was entering wider Army service, but it should not be treated as a confirmed manufacturing date.
Function and Operation
The BCC-426A configured a compatible test console to check circuits associated with the Battery Control Central’s radar displays. Its rear contact matrix routed the required electrical connections when the module was inserted into the station. The PSI 1–4 selector allowed technicians to check the plan-speed-indicator video paths associated with the four PSI rings. The TCC and FCC connections supported the Tactical Control Console and firing-control-console display circuits, while the VIDEO GATE and SWEEP connections addressed the timing signals used to form and control the displays. The module was a programmed test interface rather than a stand-alone tester or operational fire-control console.
End-Item Application
The confirmed end-item application is the HAWK Battery Control Central. The Army’s HAWK system manual describes target-speed video appearing in the proper PSI rings on the Tactical Control Console and firing-console scopes, including separate reference points for PSI rings 2, 3, and 4. Those documented circuits closely match the markings on the BCC-426A.
Battery Control Central Equipment
The Battery Control Central was the main operations shelter for a HAWK missile battery. It contained the Tactical Control Console, firing consoles, communication equipment, and displays used to coordinate an engagement. The Tactical Control Console displayed target information from the acquisition radars, including plan-position and plan-speed information. The firing consoles allowed operators to work with the illuminator radars, select a launcher, track the engagement, and send the firing command. Maintaining the BCC’s video, sweep, and display circuits was therefore important to the battery’s ability to detect, evaluate, assign, and engage targets.
Related HAWK Test-Programmer Family
Several Raytheon programmers share the same plug-in construction and blue AMP contact-board format, but each was wired for a different HAWK subsystem. The common board design indicates a shared programmable-test-fixture system; it does not mean that the modules were interchangeable. Their letter-and-number markings most likely identify particular test programs or circuit groups.
- BCC-426A, Ord. 9166729: HAWK Battery Control Central display and timing circuits
HAWK Missile System Background
HAWK was a mobile, all-weather surface-to-air missile system developed during the 1950s and first fielded in 1960. A complete battery combined acquisition radars, illuminator radars, the Battery Control Central, three-round launchers, missiles, and dedicated maintenance equipment. Radar information was sent to the BCC, where operators evaluated targets and assigned them to a firing section. The selected illuminator tracked the target and supplied positioning information, while the BCC sent tactical commands to the launcher. Raytheon continued developing and supporting HAWK through the Improved HAWK program and later upgrades.
History of Use
During HAWK battery operations, the BCC brought radar information, target evaluation, fire-section control, and missile engagement functions together inside one shelter. Maintenance personnel used specialized test equipment to keep its display and timing circuits operating correctly. Installed in a compatible shop test station, the BCC-426A routed the connections needed to inspect PSI video, console video gates, sweep signals, and related display paths. It supported maintenance of the command equipment behind the firing process and was not installed in the tactical BCC during normal operation.
Condition
This listing is for the BCC-426A plug-in programmer module with its marked housing, front-panel controls, carrying handles, rear contact array, and blue AMP 595396-1 contact board marked Ordnance No. 9172493 REV B, as shown. The package notation A-11/75 records a November 1975 packaging or processing date. The complete test console, Battery Control Central shelter, external test instruments, connecting cables, and other programmer modules are not included unless shown with the item.
Ideal For
This identified HAWK Battery Control Central test module is suited to collections and displays centered on Cold War air defense, guided-missile maintenance, military radar electronics, Raytheon equipment, and early programmable test systems. Its BCC-specific controls and marked contact board provide useful details for a HAWK maintenance-shop exhibit or technical restoration reference.
- HAWK missile-system collections
- Battery Control Central displays
- Cold War air-defense exhibits
- Military radar-electronics collections
- Raytheon equipment displays
- Guided-missile maintenance exhibits
Approx length 10", Approx width 8", Approx height 5", Approx weight 4.4lbs.
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