Editing Safeguard Program (section)

==Operation==
[[Image:Stanley R Mickelsen Safeguard complex aerial.jpg|thumb|An aerial image of the [[Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex]]]]
Safeguard was a two-layer defense system. The long-range [[LIM-49A Spartan|Spartan missile]] would attempt interception outside the Earth's atmosphere. The missile's long range allowed protection of a large geographic area. If the Spartan failed to intercept the incoming offensive missile, the high performance and high speed but short ranged [[Sprint (missile)|Sprint missile]] would attempt an interception within the atmosphere. Both missiles used nuclear warheads, and they relied on destroying or damaging the incoming warhead with radiation rather than heat or blast. The Spartan carried a weapon with a {{convert|5|MtonTNT}} yield; the Sprint in the {{convert|1|ktonTNT}} range.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Weapons/Allbombs.html|title=List of All U.S. Nuclear Weapons}}</ref>

The envisioned sequence was as follows:{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}

# Enemy launch detected by [[Defense Support Program]] satellites, sensing the hot infrared exhaust of the [[Intercontinental ballistic missile|ICBM]] booster.
# While in the mid-course phase, the [[Ballistic Missile Early Warning System]] radars in the far north would detect the incoming warheads.
# As the warheads approached (but while still in outer space) the Safeguard long-range Perimeter Acquisition Radar (PAR) would detect them, providing filtered information to the shorter-range and more precise Missile Site Radar (MSR).
# While the incoming warhead came within range of the MSR, the associated computer systems would calculate intercept trajectories and launch times.