Shipbucket

But there's little need to bring the actual computer installation with you. What's needed is to move the radars further out, not the computers. Outrageous HF NTDS of doom, installed on a bunch of radar pickets, is the proper solution to extending range.

I'll admit I'm not even sure what SAGE is. I thought it was the radar installation itself.

SAGE stands for Semi-Automatic Ground Environment-the term meant something to some engineers. It doesn't make much sense to me. It was a system for ground-controlled interceptions that connected a very big, vacuum tube controlled computer to the autopilots in intercepter fighters or in this case the guided missile. The USAF installed these big comupters in very large blast resistent buildings-see photo above. The system relied on inputs from the radar posts on the DEW line and other locations.

Hope this helps.

Don't feel too bad. It was an interesting idea that generated four pages of discussion. While I still think carrier-based fighters and Talos could the job you want to modify the Alaskas to do you might try mounting the Sea BOMARC on another ship. I don't think putting it on an Essex would help much, the standard displacement of the Essex class and the Alaska class are about the same. Maybe a battleship ala the Mississippi.

Maybe you should try a "distributed" system. As noted above the DER radar pickets would be important. Think about putting the SAGE gear on another ship. The SAGE control ship could then control all three modified Alaskas at the same time as well as fighters.

Oh, I'm amused by the design. I'm more annoyed with the defense of it.

Regardless, where I think Essex would help is enclosed volume being designed into the ship from the start.

You wouldn't have to build any hanger space. The Essex hanger space would do just fine, as would the elevators. Move the SAGE stuff to a modified oiler or sea plane tender and you're ready to go.

That's what I mean. A carrier hull is peculiarly amenable to conversion to an early SAM ship.

Remember the Essexes were built with wooden flight decks. Be sure to flame-proof the deck under the launcher, or deflect the engine exhaust away from the deck. And remember it should be a "RIM-10 Sea BOMARC".