The RSL's were designed to place Sprint launchers as close as possible
to the trajectories of target re-entry vehicles to minimize the time from launch to
interception during the critical time constraints of terminal defense.
The four sites were arrayed around the central MSR complex in roughly northeast,
northwest, southeast, and southwest directions. Approximate distances from the MSR complex were
10 miles to the closest RSL (#4), and 22 miles to the most distant (#3).
(See
map.)
Like the PAR and MSR, the
RSL's were hardened against nuclear blast effects and were capable of operating autonomously while "buttoned
up" during a nuclear attack.
A total of 54 Sprint launchers were distributed among the four RSL's: 1 (12), 2 (12), 3 (16), 4 (14).
RSL #3 (Click photo for larger image)