Tysons Corner Communications Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tysons Corner Communications Tower |
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| Tysons Corner, Virginia | |
The tower from the east
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 Tysons Corner Communications Tower
Tysons Corner Communications Tower
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| Coordinates | 38°55′13″N 77°13′47″W / 38.9203°N 77.2298°W |
| Site information | |
| Owner | U.S. Government |
| Controlled by | U.S. Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1952 |
| In use | 1952–present |
The Tysons Corner Communications Tower, also called Site E, is a secret military tower in Tysons Corner, Virginia. It's a special kind of tower that uses microwave signals. The United States Army manages this tower from Fort Belvoir.
Contents
Why the Tysons Tower Was Built
The Tysons Corner Communications Tower was built in 1952. It was part of a special plan called "continuity of government." This plan was made to make sure the U.S. President and military leaders could still talk to soldiers and bases. This was especially important if there was a nuclear attack.
Keeping Communications Open
If communication centers in Washington, DC were damaged, there were backup sites. These sites were on Cross Mountain in Pennsylvania and Lambs Knoll in Maryland. Another tower near the Raven Rock Mountain Complex helped send signals from these backup sites. These signals went to important places in Washington, like the Pentagon and the White House.
Connecting Distant Sites
The backup communication sites were located west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Microwave signals from these sites could not reach Washington directly. So, the Tysons Corner tower was built to act as a major relay. It helped send signals between Washington and these western facilities.
Choosing the Best Location
The tower site is the highest point in Fairfax County. It was chosen because it is close to the Pentagon and the White House. But it is also far enough from Washington to be safe from a direct nuclear attack on the city.
What the Tower Does Today
The exact uses of the Tysons Corner tower today are secret. Some people think it might be a special government "numbers station." This is a type of radio station that broadcasts coded messages.
Modern Connections
Others believe the tower's old communication equipment might not be used anymore. Some microwave antennas have been removed from the tower. This includes those that pointed to the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center. However, it is thought that these have been replaced by modern fiber-optic cables. The tower is also reportedly connected by underground fiber-optic cable to the Warrenton Training Center. This center is another important government facility and a communication hub for the Central Intelligence Agency.
