PROJECT AQUILINE

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Aquiline
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03050666
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: July 16, 2020
• Document Release Date: July 30, 2020
• Publication Date: February 15, 1968

3.3(h)(2)
Approved for Release: 2019/11/05 C03050666
'
15 FEB 1968
PROJECT AQUILINE
(Prepared for Briefing to be given by Col. White, Feb. 1968)
1. AQUILINE. A program for the development of a miniature
surreptitious aircraft vehicle system which with its growth capa-
bilities would penetrate with relative impunity thousands of miles
into denied areas such as the Soviet Union, Red China, Cuba, etc.,
to collect critical technical intelligence, support in-place agents,
or perform other such CIA missions.
The vehicle system, Viewgraph #1, can drop payloads
collect data (photographic IR scanner
images, ELINT, COMINT,
and relay or carry the data back to Central Control.
2. SYSTEM ADVANTAGES.
a. It is small, flies low and slow, having small
visual, acoustic, and radar observables; can outfox defenses
rather than overpower them.
b. Inexpensive and unmanned; low risk and investment.
c. Inoffensive and unassuming characteristics compared
to overflight aircraft and large drones, make it more
politically palatable for use.
d. Close proximity of payloads to target provide unique
signal collection advantages to augment those obtainable by
much more sophisticated and expensive programs such as
satellites and high flying aircraft.
Approved for Release: 2019/11/05 C03050666
Approved for Release: 2019/11/05C03050666
e. The R&D program costs include the cost of the pay-
loads which can be emplaced or borne by other water, land
and air platforms, including agents and animals.
3. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. Viewgraph #3 provides a summary of
the projected costs both from a research and development and an
operational applications standpoint.
a. One vehicle system has already undergone R&D
flight tests, and should by the end of fiscal year 1968 have
demonstrated its operational potential. During fiscal year
1970, the operations group will test operational models of
this vehicle having a flight endurance capability of
Operational tests will continue through
fiscal year 1971, during which time a four-cycle engine
system of higher reliability and greater range will become
available. Lightweight, long-range navigations systems and
associated Ground Control Stations now under development
will give this system an operational range of
in 1972 and
in 1973. An improved
version of this four-cycle engine will provide a system by
1974 having an operating range of
b. It is anticipated that the first R&D flight tests
of a vehicle system combining a radioisotope propulsion system
will begin in fiscal year 1973. On paper this vehicle system
would have an altitude capability of
endurance of 50 days or approximately
and a flight
Prelimi-
nary operational flight tests on this vehicle will occur in
Approved for Release: 2019/11/05 C03050666
Approved for Release: 2019/11/05 C03050666
fiscal year 1974 and will be available for operational use
the following year. It will have vast utility for over-water
applications; its radiation hazards will be so low as to
permit consideration of its use for over-land missions.
Approved for Release: 2019/11/05 C03050666
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