About: GE 477L Nuclear Detection and Reporting System

The GE 477L Nuclear Detection and Reporting System (NUDETS, NUDETS 477L, Program 477L) was a Cold War "Nuclear Detonation and Radioactive Fall-out Reporting System" for the National Military Command System. Planning/development began "by September 1, 1959, when NORAD had taken over responsibility from CONAD." In February 1961, General Electric and the sensor subcontractor Dresser agreed on a "team proposal" to the USAF. GE's oral proposal to the USAF was on October 18 1961, and in early November the GE/Dresser team was selected from 13 proposals. The contract was completed February 5 1962; specifications were approved June 1962; and the "target cost" and "target fee" amounts were $1,709,755 and $95,000. Lt Col Elmer Jones was the program chief at the System Program Office.