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General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9) Class: Photographs


These photographs were selected to show the original configuration of this class and major subsequent modifications. For more views see the former NHHC (now Hyperwar) Online Library of Selected Images and the NavSource Photo Archive.

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

USNS General Hoyt S Vandenberg (T-AGM 10)

This ship was dedicated in Baltimore's Dundalk Marine Terminal on 18 July 1963 with the Air Force Thunderbirds flying overhead. She was then intended to serve in the Indian Ocean area as an extension of the Air Force's Atlantic Missile Range. This photo was taken around the time of her entry into Air Force service.

Photo No. USAF 168513
Source: Shipscribe


USNS General Hoyt S Vandenberg (T-AGM 10) circa July 1963
USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9)

Photographed in Air Force service circa 1963 as completed.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)


USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9) circa 1963
USNS General Hoyt S Vandenberg (T-AGM 10)

In Air Force service on 8 April 1964 moored at the Air Force Missile Test Center at Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (UA-282)


USNS General Hoyt S Vandenberg (T-AGM 10) on 8 April 1964
USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9)

In port in Air Force service, probably at Port Canaveral.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)


USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9)
USNS General Hoyt S Vandenberg (T-AGM 10)

Underway in MSTS service in July 1965.

Photo No. KN-11801
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)


USNS General Hoyt S Vandenberg (T-AGM 10) in July 1965
USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9)

Berthed at Cape Canaveral on 15 February 1966 manned by MSTS but under Air Force operational control.

Photo No. Air Force PL 66-71284
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)


USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9) on 15 February 1966
USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9)

A drawing showing the configuration of the two ARIS ships in 1976. They appear to have been little changed since the 1960s except for the changes noted below. The three big dish antennas, fore to aft, are an IIR-C 30-foot dish radar antenna operating at 5,400-5,900 MHz, an IIR-L 40-foot dish radar antenna at 1,280 MHZ that also served the IIR-U UHF system, and a 30-foot parabolic dish telemetry antenna just forward of the stack operating at 225-4000 MHz.

Photo No. None
Source: Air Force Eastern Test Range, Range Instrumentation Handbook, 1 July 1976


USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9) antenna drawing ca 1976
USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9)

In MSTS service, date and location unknown. The Navy replaced the Air Force's long wire high frequency antennas spread from extensions above the forward kingpost pair with a large log periodic HF communications antenna.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (UA-281)


USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9)
USNS General Hoyt S Vandenberg (T-AGM 10)

Moored at Midway Island on 31 May 1975. A second small sensor dome has been added on the bridge and another has been added between the first two large antennas.

Photo No. None
Source: NavSource, photo by Fred Sloop


USNS General Hoyt S Vandenberg (T-AGM 10) on 31 May 1975
USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9)

Moored at the Victor Wharf in Pearl Harbor's Central Loch on 22 May 1976.

Photo No. None
Source: NavSource, photo by Fred Sloop


USNS General H H Arnold (T-AGM 9) on 22 May 1976