R&D PROGRAM PLANNING GUIDANCE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03040328
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: May 14, 2018
• Case Number: F-2016-00405
• Publication Date: November 16, 1970

Approved for Release: 2018/01/30 C03040328
IAA)! tLi� NIPPY
DD/S 70-4480
16 NOY 1970
L5
MEMORANDUM FOR: Carl E. Duckett
R&D Coordinator
SUBJECT : R&D Program Planning Guidance
REFERENCE : DD/S&T 3654-70 dtd 30 October 1970
1. The attachment to the reference discusses weather
modification as an area of potential intelligence interest.
The Support Directorate has no direct concern with weather
modification as an intelligence problem.
2. We appreciate the 'opportunity to be kept informed 4
on the progress. of various technical studies being under-
taken in the Agency. I believe that the R&D Board should
first review such studies in detail, and then develop a
plan for the implementation of a program if appropriate.
Such plans might then/be briefly reported to the appropriate
Dapticiag tar comment andior approval, IL gaama to Me that
we would have more effective staffing and a better, quicker
result if greater use were made of the R&D Board in studies
like the one on weather.
cc: DD/I
DD/P
D/PPB
hn W.
Act g Deputy Director
for Support
(b)(6)
qrrtr,5-7
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19 November 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Economic Research
FROM : Chief, USSR Branch
SUBJECT : OER Interest in a Weather Modification
Detection Program
REFERENCE DD/S&T 3654-70, 30 October 1970
1. The:relevant question for OER on this subject would
appear to be: What economic intelligence value would there
be in a weather modification detection program? At the
present state of development of weather modification, the
answer must be that ,our interest ip plight.
2. The economic activity potentially most affected by
weather modification is agriculture. In the USSR, for
example, agricultural production is greatly affected by the
vagaries of weather. In OER's function of assessing the
crop producing capability of foreign countries, any develop-
ment which can significantly affect this capability would,
of course, be of concern to the Office. Precipitation
augmentation would appear to be the only area of weather
modification which could conceivably have a significant
impact on the level of crop production. Judging from the
apparent lack of Soviet effort in this area, OER's interest
at this time can be served by continuing to moniter uncigiafied
sources.
"DOUGLAS B. DIAMOND./
Chief, USSR Branch
;
1970
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20 November 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Executive Staff, 0/DDI
SUBJECT: Comments on Intelligence Concerns
Arising from Weather Modification
REFERENCE:
Memo from R&D Coordinator to Deputy
Directors, dated 30 October 1970, Subject:
R&D Program Planning Guidance
1. So far as the Office of Basic and Geographic Intelligence
is concerned, weather modification is already of some intelligence
interest. Successful Soviet development in the field could importantly
benefit the Soviet economy, -- ditto Communist China and its economy.
Weather modifircation efforts are difficult to localize, and activity
by any nation carries with it significant risks of scientific controversy
and political conflict.
2. At present, w9 would not feel that a preparatory R&D effort
is in order. Our essential information data needs are adequately
met by available collection and analysis. We would view the matter
differently, however, should advances in the state of the weather_
modification art indicate an imminence of prAcileal_mall_�tarT
i t.7n. t; i on. in 111(111 vont, tntoi.1ijonco no oil a would undoubtedly
neceaaitate: a preparatory R&D effort.
3. study is useful in its own right, and
certainly facilitates an evaluation of R&D interest.
Deputy Director
Basic and Geographic Intelligence
�SEeftEr_
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Approved for Release: 2018/01/30 C03040328
Approved for Release: 2018/01/30 C03040328