The WSEM was a piece of airborne test equipment which used an oscillogram tape that recorded the analog & digital signals necessary to prep, launch, and guide the AIM-4 missiles (Secondary Weapon). After flight, the light-sensitive oscillogram tape would be removed from the WSEM, developed and analyzed for proper missile signal preparation and delivery. The poster display shows the normally sized & developed WSEM tape (along with a much larger exaggerated tape with the 1/2 second vertical timing bars and with the analog and digital signals identified & labeled in red), the analysis kit, and the documentation forms used to record the aircraft weapon fire control system's performance. Successful and documented performance on file allowed the aircraft to be placed on NORAD Alert with live missiles. WSEMs were used on F-101, F-102, and F-106 interceptors.

The MSR was a piece of airborne test equipment used to verify and record the signals necessary to launch the AIR2-A (MB-1) Genie Rocket, a 1.5 Kilo-ton yield, unguided, nuclear special weapon device (Primary Weapon). The MSR was a 90 pound, 6 inches in diameter, 80 inches long yellow capsule instrumentation device that mounted to the aircraft's special weapon ejector assembly. During an airborne simulated nuclear attack intercept, the MSR photographically recorded the signal preparation, time-of-flight settings, and firing signals that would be applied to the nuclear rocket. (In the mid 1970s, the photographic camera used on F-101 & F-106 MSRs was replaced by a electronic recorder that downloaded to a memory recording device - eliminating film problems at high altitude and cold weather). The poster display shows the MSR components, photographic prints, and list of signals needed to document the aircraft weapon fire control's performance. Successfully recorded and documented attacks on file were necessary before an aircraft could be placed on NORAD Alert with live nuclear weapons. MSRs were used on F-89J, F-101, and F-106 interceptors.

In addition to the daily squadron-level use of WSEMs & MSRs for weapons verification, interceptor squadrons would deploy to the Air Defense Weapons Center at Tyndall AFB FL for annual live firing of actual AIM-4 missiles and the training version (nuclear warhead removed & replaced with a self-destruct explosive charge) of the AIR2-A Genie nuclear rocket. Annual live firing of the Genie AIR2-A training version was a requirement to retain nuclear certification for the aircraft.

While the WSEM gave an airborne check of the missile circuits and the MSR gave an airborne check of the special weapon rocket circuits, the below left photo of the ATS (Armament Test Set) tested the F-106 munition circuits on the ground in a simulated environment known as the automated Short System Ground Check (SCRG) #'s 5 & 6. Testing could also be manually conducted on F-106s from the 596 unit in the right main wheel-well. Results were displayed on the ATS or Rocket Voltage Checker (RVC) by lights and tripped circuit breakers. In the mid 1960s, another piece of ground test equipment called the Fault Detection Tester (FDT - below right photo) was added to the inventory as a means of testing missile, rocket, radar, infra-red, and power circuits. When necessary, successful ATS or FDT ground tests could be substituted for airborne verifications when determining qualifications for standing NORAD Alert.