Radar Homing and Warning--The Key to the Wild Weasels

DAYTON, Ohio - In the First In, Last Out: Wild Weaseld vs. SAMs exhibit: 1) This APR scope is one part of the RHAW system used on both the F-100F, F-105F and F-4C. 2) The APR-25 control panel's buttons lit up when certain radar frequencies were detected. When an SA-2 was fired, the button marked LAUNCH would light up and an audible warning alarm went off. This button was commonly referred to as the "Oh s--- light." 3) Statue of Willie the Weasel owned by Bill Hickey, ATI technical representative. ATI sent tech reps like Hickey to Southeast Asia for months at a time to troubleshoot equipment. 4) Small ermine pin worn by Wild Weasel wives back in the U.S. This one belonged to Bill Hickey's wife, Dusty, while he was in Southeast Asia for seven months. 5) Bill Hickey's Wild Weasel hat. 6) ATI mug. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Radar Homing and Warning: The Key to the Wild Weasels

On Aug. 3, 1965, a group of military and industry officials headed by USAF Brig. Gen. Kenneth Dempster met in secret to examine how to counter the SA-2. One recommendation was to equip a small number of fighter aircraft with radar homing and warning (RHAW) equipment to detect and attack SAM sites.

American industry, especially Applied Technology Inc. (ATI), quickly developed a RHAW system using specialized and off-the-shelf equipment. This system indicated the type of radar, the general direction of the radar signal, and a SAM launch warning. Different types of radar signals included those used to control SAMs, to aim AAA or to direct MiG interceptors.

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Radar Homing and Warning--The Key to the Wild Weasels

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