🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 42 (from laksa014)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa042.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

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So what is the problem with Aegis? As this letter displays, Aegis is simply the logical consequence of the present “defense” procurement system, dedicated to the simple principle: a bigger buck whatever the bang.”\nClick on the image or download\nthe free .pdf\nfrom our archives in order to read more.","attrs_markdown":"![](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tr?id=465430731571519&ev=PageView&noscript=1)\n\nAccess provided by\n\n[Sign In]()\n\n[Subscribe](https:\/\/w1.buysub.com\/servlet\/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927)   [Account](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/1988\/09\/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655\/)\n\n[Account](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/1988\/09\/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655\/)\n\n## Sign in to access *Harper’s Magazine*\nWe've recently updated our website to make signing in easier and more secure\n\n[Sign in *to* Harper's](https:\/\/login.harpers.org\/login?client_id=6hdied7jspvbs2f51sdbgn470c&redirect_uri=https:\/\/harpers.org\/auth\/login&state=https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/1988\/09\/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655\/&__cf_v=10)\n\n[Learn more about using our new sign-in system](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/faq\/)\n\n## . You have 1 free article this month.    Connect to your subscription or subscribe for full access\n## You've reached your free article limit for this month.    Connect to your subscription or subscribe for full access\n\n[Connect Subscription](https:\/\/harpers.org\/auth\/subscription)   [Subscribe](https:\/\/w1.buysub.com\/servlet\/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927)\n\n[Update login](https:\/\/harpers.org\/auth\/account)   [Make changes to your subscription](https:\/\/accounts.harpers.org\/)   [Support and FAQ](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/faq\/)   [Log out](https:\/\/harpers.org\/auth\/logout)\n\n## Thanks for being a subscriber\\!\n[Update login](https:\/\/harpers.org\/auth\/account)   [Make changes to your subscription](https:\/\/accounts.harpers.org\/)   [Support and FAQ](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/faq\/)   [Log out](https:\/\/harpers.org\/auth\/logout)\n\nGet Access to Print and Digital for \\$25.99 per year.   \n  [Subscribe for Full Access](https:\/\/w1.buysub.com\/servlet\/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927)\n\nAccess provided by\n\n[![](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/themes\/timber\/assets\/img\/logo.svg)](https:\/\/harpers.org\/)\n\n- [About](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/)\n- [Archive](https:\/\/harpers.org\/issues\/)\n- [Authors](https:\/\/harpers.org\/authors\/)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/harpers.org\/newsletters\/)\n- [Shop](https:\/\/store.harpers.org\/)\n- [Podcast](https:\/\/harpers.org\/category\/podcast\/)\n- [Events](https:\/\/harpers.org\/events\/)\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/w1.buysub.com\/servlet\/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927)\n- [Donate](https:\/\/harpers.org\/donate\/)\n- [Search](https:\/\/harpers.org\/search\/)\n\n- [175 Years](https:\/\/harpers.org\/175-years\/)\n- [Current Issue](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2026\/04)\n- [Sections](https:\/\/harpers.org\/sections\/)\n- [The Latest](https:\/\/harpers.org\/latest\/)\n- [Search](https:\/\/harpers.org\/search\/)\n\n- [About](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/)\n- [Archive](https:\/\/harpers.org\/issues\/)\n- [Authors](https:\/\/harpers.org\/authors\/)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/harpers.org\/newsletters\/)\n- [Shop](https:\/\/store.harpers.org\/)\n- [Podcast](https:\/\/harpers.org\/category\/podcast\/)\n- [Events](https:\/\/harpers.org\/events\/)\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/w1.buysub.com\/servlet\/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927)\n- [Donate](https:\/\/harpers.org\/donate\/)\n- [Search](https:\/\/harpers.org\/search\/)\n\n[September 1988 Issue](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/1988\/09)   [\\[Article\\]](https:\/\/harpers.org\/sections\/article\/)\n\n# The System That Brought Down Flight 655\n\nAdjust\n\nShare\n\nZeroing in on a Pentagon boondoggle\n\nby [**Ken Silverstein**](https:\/\/harpers.org\/author\/kensilverstein\/), [**Alexander Cockburn**](https:\/\/harpers.org\/author\/alexandercockburn\/),\n\n“In the rush to judgment after the U.S. downing of Iran Air Flight 655, no guilty party was more carefully hidden in plain sight than Aegis, the high-tech radar system installed aboard the cruiser USS *Vincennes.* This most costly package of electronic complexity mistook an Airbus (length: 175 feet, 11 inches) for an F-14 (length: 62 feet, 8 inches), miscalculated the altitude of the plane by some 3,000 feet, and determined that the Airbus was descending when it was actually climbing (as can be gleaned from transcripts of radio calls between the jetliner and air controllers). So what is the problem with Aegis? As this letter displays, Aegis is simply the logical consequence of the present “defense” procurement system, dedicated to the simple principle: a bigger buck whatever the bang.”\n\n[![\\[Annotation\\] \\| The System That Brought Down Flight 655, by Alexander Cockburn and Ken Silverstein](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/1988\/09\/Flight655-1500x1075-300x215.png)](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/1988\/09\/Flight655-1500x1075.png)\n\nClick on the image or download [the free .pdf](https:\/\/harpers.org\/media\/image\/blogs\/misc\/harpersmagazine-1988-09-0025587.pdf) from our archives in order to read more.\n\n### Tags\n[1980-1988](https:\/\/harpers.org\/tag\/1980-1988\/) [1988](https:\/\/harpers.org\/tag\/1988\/) [Aegis (Radar system)](https:\/\/harpers.org\/tag\/aegis-radar-system\/) [American](https:\/\/harpers.org\/tag\/american\/) [Iran Air Incident](https:\/\/harpers.org\/tag\/iran-air-incident\/) [Iran-Iraq War](https:\/\/harpers.org\/tag\/iran-iraq-war\/) [Naval operations](https:\/\/harpers.org\/tag\/naval-operations\/) [Vincennes (Ship)](https:\/\/harpers.org\/tag\/vincennes-ship\/)\n***\n### More from  [Ken Silverstein](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/1988\/09\/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655\/)\n[![](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/HarpersWeb-Readings-JadedLady-220-480x350-c-default.png)](https:\/\/harpers.org\/2015\/11\/shaky-foundations\/)\n\n[Shaky Foundations](https:\/\/harpers.org\/2015\/11\/shaky-foundations\/)\n\n[The Clintons' so-called charitable enterprise has served as a vehicle to launder money and to enrich family friends.](https:\/\/harpers.org\/2015\/11\/shaky-foundations\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/9-Harpers-FINAL-480x350-c-default.jpg)](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2013\/11\/dirty-south)\n\n[Dirty South](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2013\/11\/dirty-south)\n\n[The foul legacy of Louisiana oil](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2013\/11\/dirty-south)\n\n[![](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/SamuelJames-Harpers-1311-150x150-480x350-c-default.png)](https:\/\/harpers.org\/2013\/10\/on-brining-and-dining\/)\n\n[On Brining and Dining](https:\/\/harpers.org\/2013\/10\/on-brining-and-dining\/)\n\n[How pro-oil Louisiana politicians have shaped American environmental policy](https:\/\/harpers.org\/2013\/10\/on-brining-and-dining\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/1988\/09\/sep.png)](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/1988\/09)\n\nFrom the\n\n[September 1988 issue](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/1988\/09)\n\n[Download PDF](https:\/\/harpers.org\/api\/microfiche\/issue\/1988\/09?starNumber=25587&download=1)\n\nSubscribe or log in to access this PDF:\n\n[Download PDF](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/1988\/09\/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655\/)\n\n#### From the Archive\nTimeless stories from our 175-year archive handpicked to speak to the news of the day.\n### Got it! Thanks for signing up\\!\n\n## Related\n[![Thirty-Eight Days of ICE thumbnail](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CUT-14-smaller-480x0-c-default.jpg)](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2026\/04\/thirty-eight-days-of-ice-daniel-brook-new-orleans)   [\\[Letter from New Orleans\\]](https:\/\/harpers.org\/sections\/letter-from-new-orleans\/)\n\n[Thirty-Eight Days of ICE](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2026\/04\/thirty-eight-days-of-ice-daniel-brook-new-orleans)\n\nThe story of an occupation\n\nby [**Daniel Brook**](https:\/\/harpers.org\/author\/danielbrook\/),\n\n[![State of Nature thumbnail](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cut-18-featured-image-480x0-c-default.png)](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2026\/04\/state-of-nature-gaby-del-valle-acc-conservative-environmentalism)   [\\[Report\\]](https:\/\/harpers.org\/sections\/report\/)\n\n[State of Nature](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2026\/04\/state-of-nature-gaby-del-valle-acc-conservative-environmentalism)\n\nWhat are conservative environmentalists fighting for?\n\nby [**Gaby Del Valle**](https:\/\/harpers.org\/author\/gabydelvalle\/),\n\n[![Brothers and Sisters thumbnail](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cut-32-w-background-480x0-c-default.png)](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2026\/04\/brothers-and-sisters-christine-smallwood-siblings)   [\\[Criticism\\]](https:\/\/harpers.org\/sections\/criticism\/)\n\n[Brothers and Sisters](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2026\/04\/brothers-and-sisters-christine-smallwood-siblings)\n\nOn the fiction of siblings\n\nby [**Christine Smallwood**](https:\/\/harpers.org\/author\/christinesmallwood\/),\n\nAdjust\n\nShare\n\n[![](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/themes\/timber\/assets\/img\/logo.svg)](https:\/\/harpers.org\/)\n\n[Subscribe for Full Access](https:\/\/w1.buysub.com\/servlet\/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927)\n\n[Give a Gift](https:\/\/w1.buysub.com\/servlet\/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=75016&cds_mag_code=PRS&id=1588951399424&lsid=31291023146029011)   [Account](https:\/\/harpers.org\/auth\/account)\n\n- [Current Issue](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2026\/04)\n  [Advertising](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/advertising\/)   [Permissions and Reprints](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/permissions-and-reprints\/)   [Internships](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/internships\/)   [Store](https:\/\/store.harpers.org\/)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/contact\/)\n  [Careers](https:\/\/harpers.org\/careers\/)   [Classifieds](https:\/\/harpers.org\/classifieds\/)   [Help](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/faq\/)\n- [Archive](https:\/\/harpers.org\/issues)\n  [Submissions](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/submissions\/)   [Find a Newsstand](https:\/\/harpers.org\/find-a-newsstand\/)   [Customer Care](https:\/\/accounts.harpers.org\/)\n- [About](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/1988\/09\/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655\/)\n  [Foundation](https:\/\/harpers.org\/foundation\/)   [Media](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/press\/)   [Terms of Service](https:\/\/harpers.org\/terms-of-service\/)   [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/harpers.org\/privacy-policy\/)\n\n- [Current Issue](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/2026\/04)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/contact\/)\n- [Archive](https:\/\/harpers.org\/issues)\n- [About](https:\/\/harpers.org\/archive\/1988\/09\/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655\/)\n- [Advertising](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/advertising\/)   [Permissions and Reprints](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/permissions-and-reprints\/)   [Internships](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/internships\/)   [Store](https:\/\/store.harpers.org\/)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/harpers.org\/careers\/)   [Classifieds](https:\/\/harpers.org\/classifieds\/)   [Help](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/faq\/)\n- [Submissions](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/submissions\/)   [Find a Newsstand](https:\/\/harpers.org\/find-a-newsstand\/)   [Customer Care](https:\/\/accounts.harpers.org\/)\n- [Foundation](https:\/\/harpers.org\/foundation\/)   [Media](https:\/\/harpers.org\/about\/press\/)   [Terms of Service](https:\/\/harpers.org\/terms-of-service\/)   [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/harpers.org\/privacy-policy\/)\n\n© Copyright 2026 Harper's Magazine Foundation  [Do Not Sell My Personal Information](https:\/\/harpers.org\/do-not-sell-my-personal-information\/)\n\n![Close](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/themes\/timber\/assets\/img\/icon-close.svg)\n\n[You’ve read one of your two free articles this month. Subscribe for less than \\$2 an issue.](https:\/\/w1.buysub.com\/servlet\/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=165625&cds_response_key=IN0320FA3)\n\n### Debug\nClose\n```\n\n```","attrs_readable_markdown":"Zeroing in on a Pentagon boondoggle\n\n“In the rush to judgment after the U.S. downing of Iran Air Flight 655, no guilty party was more carefully hidden in plain sight than Aegis, the high-tech radar system installed aboard the cruiser USS *Vincennes.* This most costly package of electronic complexity mistook an Airbus (length: 175 feet, 11 inches) for an F-14 (length: 62 feet, 8 inches), miscalculated the altitude of the plane by some 3,000 feet, and determined that the Airbus was descending when it was actually climbing (as can be gleaned from transcripts of radio calls between the jetliner and air controllers). So what is the problem with Aegis? As this letter displays, Aegis is simply the logical consequence of the present “defense” procurement system, dedicated to the simple principle: a bigger buck whatever the bang.”\n\n[![\\[Annotation\\] \\| The System That Brought Down Flight 655, by Alexander Cockburn and Ken Silverstein](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/1988\/09\/Flight655-1500x1075-300x215.png)](https:\/\/wp.harpers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/1988\/09\/Flight655-1500x1075.png)\n\nClick on the image or download [the free .pdf](https:\/\/harpers.org\/media\/image\/blogs\/misc\/harpersmagazine-1988-09-0025587.pdf) from our archives in order to read more.","meta_canonical":null,"ml_categories_json":"{\"\/News\":451,\"\/Law_and_Government\":390,\"\/Law_and_Government\/Military\":374,\"\/News\/Politics\":349,\"\/Law_and_Government\/Military\/Air_Force\":311,\"\/News\/Politics\/Other\":169}","ml_types_json":"{\"\/Article\":994,\"\/Article\/Opinion_Piece\":832}","ml_intent_types_json":"{\"Informational\":998}","meta_language":"en","attrs_author":null,"attrs_publish_time":1365543525,"attrs_original_publish_time":1365543525,"attrs_is_republished":0,"attrs_nr_words":"573","attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words":"153","body_ext_links_number":23,"body_int_links_number":69,"meta_nofollow":0,"meta_noarchive":0,"props_was_rendered":1,"src_redirect":"","download_time_msec":185,"download_ttfb_msec":183,"download_size":18673}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

13 days ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.5 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property

Value

URL

https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655/

Last Crawled

2026-04-10 22:07:26 (13 days ago)

First Indexed

2016-10-12 14:32:41 (9 years ago)

HTTP Status Code

200

Content

Meta Title

The System That Brought Down Flight 655, by Ken Silverstein, Alexander Cockburn

Meta Description

Zeroing in on a Pentagon boondoggle

Meta Canonical

null

Boilerpipe Text

Zeroing in on a Pentagon boondoggle “In the rush to judgment after the U.S. downing of Iran Air Flight 655, no guilty party was more carefully hidden in plain sight than Aegis, the high-tech radar system installed aboard the cruiser USS Vincennes. This most costly package of electronic complexity mistook an Airbus (length: 175 feet, 11 inches) for an F-14 (length: 62 feet, 8 inches), miscalculated the altitude of the plane by some 3,000 feet, and determined that the Airbus was descending when it was actually climbing (as can be gleaned from transcripts of radio calls between the jetliner and air controllers). So what is the problem with Aegis? As this letter displays, Aegis is simply the logical consequence of the present “defense” procurement system, dedicated to the simple principle: a bigger buck whatever the bang.” Click on the image or download the free .pdf from our archives in order to read more.

Markdown

![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=465430731571519&ev=PageView&noscript=1) Access provided by [Sign In]() [Subscribe](https://w1.buysub.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927) [Account](https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655/) [Account](https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655/) ## Sign in to access *Harper’s Magazine* We've recently updated our website to make signing in easier and more secure [Sign in *to* Harper's](https://login.harpers.org/login?client_id=6hdied7jspvbs2f51sdbgn470c&redirect_uri=https://harpers.org/auth/login&state=https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655/&__cf_v=10) [Learn more about using our new sign-in system](https://harpers.org/about/faq/) ## . You have 1 free article this month. Connect to your subscription or subscribe for full access ## You've reached your free article limit for this month. Connect to your subscription or subscribe for full access [Connect Subscription](https://harpers.org/auth/subscription) [Subscribe](https://w1.buysub.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927) [Update login](https://harpers.org/auth/account) [Make changes to your subscription](https://accounts.harpers.org/) [Support and FAQ](https://harpers.org/about/faq/) [Log out](https://harpers.org/auth/logout) ## Thanks for being a subscriber\! [Update login](https://harpers.org/auth/account) [Make changes to your subscription](https://accounts.harpers.org/) [Support and FAQ](https://harpers.org/about/faq/) [Log out](https://harpers.org/auth/logout) Get Access to Print and Digital for \$25.99 per year. [Subscribe for Full Access](https://w1.buysub.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927) Access provided by [![](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/themes/timber/assets/img/logo.svg)](https://harpers.org/) - [About](https://harpers.org/about/) - [Archive](https://harpers.org/issues/) - [Authors](https://harpers.org/authors/) - [Newsletters](https://harpers.org/newsletters/) - [Shop](https://store.harpers.org/) - [Podcast](https://harpers.org/category/podcast/) - [Events](https://harpers.org/events/) - [Subscribe](https://w1.buysub.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927) - [Donate](https://harpers.org/donate/) - [Search](https://harpers.org/search/) - [175 Years](https://harpers.org/175-years/) - [Current Issue](https://harpers.org/archive/2026/04) - [Sections](https://harpers.org/sections/) - [The Latest](https://harpers.org/latest/) - [Search](https://harpers.org/search/) - [About](https://harpers.org/about/) - [Archive](https://harpers.org/issues/) - [Authors](https://harpers.org/authors/) - [Newsletters](https://harpers.org/newsletters/) - [Shop](https://store.harpers.org/) - [Podcast](https://harpers.org/category/podcast/) - [Events](https://harpers.org/events/) - [Subscribe](https://w1.buysub.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927) - [Donate](https://harpers.org/donate/) - [Search](https://harpers.org/search/) [September 1988 Issue](https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09) [\[Article\]](https://harpers.org/sections/article/) # The System That Brought Down Flight 655 Adjust Share Zeroing in on a Pentagon boondoggle by [**Ken Silverstein**](https://harpers.org/author/kensilverstein/), [**Alexander Cockburn**](https://harpers.org/author/alexandercockburn/), “In the rush to judgment after the U.S. downing of Iran Air Flight 655, no guilty party was more carefully hidden in plain sight than Aegis, the high-tech radar system installed aboard the cruiser USS *Vincennes.* This most costly package of electronic complexity mistook an Airbus (length: 175 feet, 11 inches) for an F-14 (length: 62 feet, 8 inches), miscalculated the altitude of the plane by some 3,000 feet, and determined that the Airbus was descending when it was actually climbing (as can be gleaned from transcripts of radio calls between the jetliner and air controllers). So what is the problem with Aegis? As this letter displays, Aegis is simply the logical consequence of the present “defense” procurement system, dedicated to the simple principle: a bigger buck whatever the bang.” [![\[Annotation\] \| The System That Brought Down Flight 655, by Alexander Cockburn and Ken Silverstein](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/1988/09/Flight655-1500x1075-300x215.png)](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/1988/09/Flight655-1500x1075.png) Click on the image or download [the free .pdf](https://harpers.org/media/image/blogs/misc/harpersmagazine-1988-09-0025587.pdf) from our archives in order to read more. ### Tags [1980-1988](https://harpers.org/tag/1980-1988/) [1988](https://harpers.org/tag/1988/) [Aegis (Radar system)](https://harpers.org/tag/aegis-radar-system/) [American](https://harpers.org/tag/american/) [Iran Air Incident](https://harpers.org/tag/iran-air-incident/) [Iran-Iraq War](https://harpers.org/tag/iran-iraq-war/) [Naval operations](https://harpers.org/tag/naval-operations/) [Vincennes (Ship)](https://harpers.org/tag/vincennes-ship/) *** ### More from [Ken Silverstein](https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655/) [![](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HarpersWeb-Readings-JadedLady-220-480x350-c-default.png)](https://harpers.org/2015/11/shaky-foundations/) [Shaky Foundations](https://harpers.org/2015/11/shaky-foundations/) [The Clintons' so-called charitable enterprise has served as a vehicle to launder money and to enrich family friends.](https://harpers.org/2015/11/shaky-foundations/) [![](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/9-Harpers-FINAL-480x350-c-default.jpg)](https://harpers.org/archive/2013/11/dirty-south) [Dirty South](https://harpers.org/archive/2013/11/dirty-south) [The foul legacy of Louisiana oil](https://harpers.org/archive/2013/11/dirty-south) [![](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/SamuelJames-Harpers-1311-150x150-480x350-c-default.png)](https://harpers.org/2013/10/on-brining-and-dining/) [On Brining and Dining](https://harpers.org/2013/10/on-brining-and-dining/) [How pro-oil Louisiana politicians have shaped American environmental policy](https://harpers.org/2013/10/on-brining-and-dining/) [![](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/1988/09/sep.png)](https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09) From the [September 1988 issue](https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09) [Download PDF](https://harpers.org/api/microfiche/issue/1988/09?starNumber=25587&download=1) Subscribe or log in to access this PDF: [Download PDF](https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655/) #### From the Archive Timeless stories from our 175-year archive handpicked to speak to the news of the day. ### Got it! Thanks for signing up\! ## Related [![Thirty-Eight Days of ICE thumbnail](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CUT-14-smaller-480x0-c-default.jpg)](https://harpers.org/archive/2026/04/thirty-eight-days-of-ice-daniel-brook-new-orleans) [\[Letter from New Orleans\]](https://harpers.org/sections/letter-from-new-orleans/) [Thirty-Eight Days of ICE](https://harpers.org/archive/2026/04/thirty-eight-days-of-ice-daniel-brook-new-orleans) The story of an occupation by [**Daniel Brook**](https://harpers.org/author/danielbrook/), [![State of Nature thumbnail](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Cut-18-featured-image-480x0-c-default.png)](https://harpers.org/archive/2026/04/state-of-nature-gaby-del-valle-acc-conservative-environmentalism) [\[Report\]](https://harpers.org/sections/report/) [State of Nature](https://harpers.org/archive/2026/04/state-of-nature-gaby-del-valle-acc-conservative-environmentalism) What are conservative environmentalists fighting for? by [**Gaby Del Valle**](https://harpers.org/author/gabydelvalle/), [![Brothers and Sisters thumbnail](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Cut-32-w-background-480x0-c-default.png)](https://harpers.org/archive/2026/04/brothers-and-sisters-christine-smallwood-siblings) [\[Criticism\]](https://harpers.org/sections/criticism/) [Brothers and Sisters](https://harpers.org/archive/2026/04/brothers-and-sisters-christine-smallwood-siblings) On the fiction of siblings by [**Christine Smallwood**](https://harpers.org/author/christinesmallwood/), Adjust Share [![](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/themes/timber/assets/img/logo.svg)](https://harpers.org/) [Subscribe for Full Access](https://w1.buysub.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=283927) [Give a Gift](https://w1.buysub.com/servlet/OrdersGateway?cds_mag_code=PRS&cds_page_id=75016&cds_mag_code=PRS&id=1588951399424&lsid=31291023146029011) [Account](https://harpers.org/auth/account) - [Current Issue](https://harpers.org/archive/2026/04) [Advertising](https://harpers.org/about/advertising/) [Permissions and Reprints](https://harpers.org/about/permissions-and-reprints/) [Internships](https://harpers.org/about/internships/) [Store](https://store.harpers.org/) - [Contact](https://harpers.org/about/contact/) [Careers](https://harpers.org/careers/) [Classifieds](https://harpers.org/classifieds/) [Help](https://harpers.org/about/faq/) - [Archive](https://harpers.org/issues) [Submissions](https://harpers.org/about/submissions/) [Find a Newsstand](https://harpers.org/find-a-newsstand/) [Customer Care](https://accounts.harpers.org/) - [About](https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655/) [Foundation](https://harpers.org/foundation/) [Media](https://harpers.org/about/press/) [Terms of Service](https://harpers.org/terms-of-service/) [Privacy Policy](https://harpers.org/privacy-policy/) - [Current Issue](https://harpers.org/archive/2026/04) - [Contact](https://harpers.org/about/contact/) - [Archive](https://harpers.org/issues) - [About](https://harpers.org/archive/1988/09/the-system-that-brought-down-flight-655/) - [Advertising](https://harpers.org/about/advertising/) [Permissions and Reprints](https://harpers.org/about/permissions-and-reprints/) [Internships](https://harpers.org/about/internships/) [Store](https://store.harpers.org/) - [Careers](https://harpers.org/careers/) [Classifieds](https://harpers.org/classifieds/) [Help](https://harpers.org/about/faq/) - [Submissions](https://harpers.org/about/submissions/) [Find a Newsstand](https://harpers.org/find-a-newsstand/) [Customer Care](https://accounts.harpers.org/) - [Foundation](https://harpers.org/foundation/) [Media](https://harpers.org/about/press/) [Terms of Service](https://harpers.org/terms-of-service/) [Privacy Policy](https://harpers.org/privacy-policy/) © Copyright 2026 Harper's Magazine Foundation [Do Not Sell My Personal Information](https://harpers.org/do-not-sell-my-personal-information/) ![Close](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/themes/timber/assets/img/icon-close.svg) [You’ve read one of your two free articles this month. 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Readable Markdown

Zeroing in on a Pentagon boondoggle “In the rush to judgment after the U.S. downing of Iran Air Flight 655, no guilty party was more carefully hidden in plain sight than Aegis, the high-tech radar system installed aboard the cruiser USS *Vincennes.* This most costly package of electronic complexity mistook an Airbus (length: 175 feet, 11 inches) for an F-14 (length: 62 feet, 8 inches), miscalculated the altitude of the plane by some 3,000 feet, and determined that the Airbus was descending when it was actually climbing (as can be gleaned from transcripts of radio calls between the jetliner and air controllers). So what is the problem with Aegis? As this letter displays, Aegis is simply the logical consequence of the present “defense” procurement system, dedicated to the simple principle: a bigger buck whatever the bang.” [![\[Annotation\] \| The System That Brought Down Flight 655, by Alexander Cockburn and Ken Silverstein](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/1988/09/Flight655-1500x1075-300x215.png)](https://wp.harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/1988/09/Flight655-1500x1075.png) Click on the image or download [the free .pdf](https://harpers.org/media/image/blogs/misc/harpersmagazine-1988-09-0025587.pdf) from our archives in order to read more.

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2013-04-09 21:38:45 (13 years ago)

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