Florida Automatic Computer

FLAC, the Florida Automatic Computer, was an early digital electronic computer built for the United States Air Force at Patrick Air Force Base (PAFB) in Brevard County of Florida, to perform missile data reduction.[1] The computer began service in 1953.[2][3]

The system's architecture resembled that of the many machines of the period that used the von Neumann architecture, and in design was most closely related to SEAC. It was operated by RCA's Data Reduction Group, a subcontractor to Pan American Airways. Three FLACs were ultimately built, with two upgraded FLAC systems (dubbed "FLAC II") entering service in the fall of 1956.[4] FLAC computations supported the flight tests of early ballistic missiles and air-breathing cruise missiles such as the Redstone, Juno, Snark, Matador, Bomarc, Navaho, Atlas, and Thor.

  1. ^ "A Survey of Domestic Electronic Digital Computing Systems". December 1955. Retrieved 2010-02-21.
  2. ^ Sources differ as to whether FLAC was operational in April or September 1953. The timing of contemporary local media accounts, such as a St. Petersburg Times article dating from November 11, 1953, give credence to the later completion date.
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  4. ^ "History: Florida Automatic Computer – FLAC I – 1950–1956". Archived from the original on 2010-06-07. Retrieved 2010-02-21.