SYSTEM PROGRAM DIRECTIVE FOR CHIGOE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05752561
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: February 10, 2021
• Case Number: F-2011-01575
• Publication Date: April 4, 1966

Approved for Release: 2020/12/28 C05752561
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Office of Research and Development
Office of Special Activities
SUBJECT: System Program Directive for CHIGOE
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1. Office of Research and Development, DD/S&T, is
directed to develop an. infrared-guided multi-sensor airborne
system (CHIGOE) which will be capable of detecting, evaluating,
and recording small, transient intelligence targets which are
concealed by dense foliage or darkness. ORD is further directed
to participate in DOD-sponsored study and development of a side-
looking, synthetic aperture radar which will penetrate foliage,
and to develop and evaluate an airborne active magnetometer
and other specialized devices, to be added to the multi-sensor
system when their capability is proved. The overall Program
Director for the development and test phases will be appointed
by D/ORD.
2. Office of Special Activities, DD/S&T, is directed
to provide operational support for the development and test
phases and to plan for eventual Agency use of the multi-
sensor system as an'overflight-intelligence collection--
capability. Because of the sensitive nature of Agency over-
flight operations, OSA will provide streamlined contracting
support and will assume security_ggldance and Control during
the system intgration and all subsequent phases. Unirl it
proves necessary to do ZTITe-Fliase, CHIGUE'wilf-iia be included
in the BYEMAN system, but will, nevertheless, be afforded the
same close security control.
3. This program has been funded by a Bureau of the Budget
allocation of 2.84 million dollars to the Agency to accomplish
the development and initial test phases. Further budget re-
quests for funds to operate the system as an Agency asset, to
modify or add second-generation equipment, or to adapt the basic
system design to special problems of potential users outside
the Agency will be directed to appropriate sources as the need
arises. It is recognized that both the wide range of capa-
bilities being provided and the national interest require that
maximum use be made of the system. Close coordination is to
be maintained with those DOD components who concurred in Agency
development of the concept, and others who are identified during
the program as potential users, with the understanding that
parts of the Agency multisensor technology may contribute to
their specialized needs.
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Approved for Release: 2020/12/28 C05752561
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4. More specifically, there is an urgent national require-
ment to develop and use a fast-reacting multi-sensor reconnais-
sance system to detect, record, and communicate to military unit
commanders the existence of small, transient tactical targets
in densely foliated areas. It is directed that the total DD/S&T
capability in this area be combined into the CHIGOE airborne
system, and that the results be evaluated by potential military
users as soon as possible. The target date for production of
the operational muW-sensor aircraft is December 1966, and the
first operations are to be directed toward areas of U.S. in-
volvement in Southeast Asia. Because the intelligence collection
and tactical functions are so closely interwoven in system design,
it is felt that this approach will serve Agency long-term interests
as well as those of the military.
5. Aggressive management and cost effectiveness procedures
will be used on this program. Because of the probable wide-spread
application of this technique to needs of other government agencies,
a complete record of the technical bases for development and,the-----
results of the initial test programs will be kept. OSA will co-
operate with ORD in the preparation-Of-appropriate documentation,
such, as,a System-Package Program, so that development, test, eval-
uation, and replication can proceed in .a valid and logical manner.
The System Package Program will include preliminary operational
estimates and planning factors based on the assumption that OSA
will integrate this airborne system into an existing OSA project,
to provide a basic long-term Agency capability in this specialized
field of overflight collection.
ALBERT D. WHEELON
Deputy Director
for
Science and Technology
CHIGOE
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2020/12/28 C05752561