PROJECT OUTLINE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000100430006-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 28, 2003
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: January 7, 1955
• Content Type: OUTLINE

Approved For Rele, a 2003/1Ti9 : 61J EJ3-02415A00 Q1 ( 0430006-6
PROJECT OUTLINE 7 January 1955
25X1
25X1
PROPOSAL
In collaboration with the Air Force, to undertake the procurement
of (a) 20 high altitude aircraft, (b) photo-reconnaissance equipment,
and (c) electronic-reconnaissance equipment, and to prepare for and
conduct extensive overflights of the Soviet Bloc in order to provide
photographic and, secondarily, electronic intelligence, (Project AQUATONE)
SITUATION
The Lockheed Aircraft Corporation has proposed a very-high-altitude,
jet-powered aircraft (designated CL-282)., The Corporation is willing
to take full responsibility for the'design,'mock-up, building, secret
testing, and field maintenance of this unorthodox vehicle. It therefore
appears entirely feasible for a CIA task force to undertake a covert
overflight program based upon the CL-282, which will fly at 70,000 feet,
well out of reach of present Russian interception and high enough to
have a good chance of avoiding detection,
Photographic equipment can be developed which will enable extra-
ordinary intelligence content to be obtained with pictures taken from
great altitudes. A single mission in clear weather can photograph ,
a strip of Russia 200 miles wide and 2200 miles long. A spotting camera
will take pictures in which the individuals in a city street can be
counted from 70,000 feet. Cloud cover will reduce completeness but
is not a serious obstacle because missions can be scheduled for good
weather and alternate routes for clear weather can be selected in flight.
Analogously, it is believed that automatic electronic intercept
equipment (FLINT gear) can be developed
The opportunity for safe overflight with the best equipment that
can be built at this time will last only a year or so because the
Soviets will develop radar and interceptors or guided missiles effective
for the 70,000-foot region. The CLa282.can be developed and produced
extraordinarily rapidly because it is based on a fighter aircraft
already in production and uses an engine already tested. Moreover.,
experience with this aircraft will contribute significantly to the
TS #103219
USAF review(s) completed. Copy/ of 4 .
Approved For Release 2003/11/21 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000100430006-6
TOP SECRET
 Approved For Release 2003/11/2 brOr33_01415A00Q.D0430006-6
ability of the United States to maintain a lead in the development of
still higher altitude aircraft and thus to maintain a safe overflight
capability. Therefore, time is of the essence if the existing oppor-
tunity is to be exploited and to be extended by continuing development.
Although undertaken primarily to collect photographic and electronic
intelligence, this operation will serve a variety of purposes of
interest to various parts of the United States Government.. The CL-282
will have major utility as a high altitude test platform. The research
to be undertaken will include the testing of engine performance,
pressurization, and the functioning of auxiliary equipment of all kinds
as well as of electronic and photographic equipment at high altitudes.
It will also include a study of the capabilities of personnel to 25X1
perform missions requiring sustained flight at high altitudes and of
the utility of equipment furnished to permit personnel to function
more effectively
the field o intelligence, the operation
on ri u e significantly to the attainment of the following
should contribute:
objectives:
a. Improve estimates of Soviet ability to deliver nuclear
weapons and their capacity to produce them.
b. Appraise Soviet guided missile development through photo-
graphs of testing ranges, etc.
c. Assess the Soviet order of battle as an early warning
d. Provide adequate locations and analyses of Russian targets,
e. Disclose new developments which might otherwise lead`to
technological surprise.
f. Appraise Soviet industrial and economic progress.
COST
The cost of procurement of materiel by this Agency under the
program here proposed is expected to total approximately
virtually all of which will have to be obligated in FY 1955. It can
be broken down as follows:
TS #103219
CopyI of r.
Approved For Release 2003/11/21 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000100430006-6
25X1
TOP SECRET
 Approved For Release 2003/11/21: CIA-RDP33-02415AOQ .100430006-6
TOP SECRET
-3-
25X1
20 airframes, together with maintenance and
testing equipment for the testing
of the first one to be delivered
6 complete se
12 sets of el
s of photographic equipment, each
set consisting of 3 configurations
ectronic search equipment to be
used on photographic missions,
Additional fi
25X1
eld maintenance equipment
25X1
25X1
25X1
The margin of error in these figures probably does not exceed
I land it is believed h' yr unlikely that the total materiel
cos -Es co amount to more than The estimates assume that
the Air Force will furnish as a contribution to the project and without
cost to the Agency (a) technical assistance and supervision,'(b) all
equipment regularly furnished as government furnished equipment,
including especially 40 engines, and (c) transportation of materiel
and personnel to test sites.
In addition to the above, certain non-materiel costs will be
incurred in the course of preparation for the mounting of the operation.
These will be primarily (a) administrative costs, including especially
the cost of developing photo-intelligence and electronic-intelligence
requirements, and of mission planning, (b) the cost of pilot recruit-
ment and training, and (q) some part or all of the cost of testing
initial items of equipment in the United States. It is expected that
administrative costs can be largely absorbed in existing budgets.
Pilot recruitment and training costs might reach a total of
of which the major part would represent the cost of flight training
which is provided by the Air Force and for which the Air Force is 25X1
normally reimbursed. If the Air Force is prepared to absorb this
item, the cost to the Agency of recruitment and training should not
exceed Q of which the major part will fall in FY 1955. The
cost of the testing program has not yet been estimated. It will fall
entirely in I1 1956.
The above figures contain no allowance for (a) any major costs
that may be incurred in the acquisition or preparation of operational
bases, (b) the cost of actually mounting ti-.e operation, including pay
and subsistence of personnel, transportation of personnel and materiel
to and between operational bases, and field maintenance, and (c) the
cost of processing photographic film and electronic tape.
Approved For Release 2003/11/21 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000100430006-6
TOP SECRET
TS #103219
Copy / of y`.
 Approved For RelWe 2003/11 /2 :(C E 415A00c 0430006-6
-4-
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
ORGANIZATION
In view of the clandestine character of the proposed operation,
its nature, and the varied results expected to flow from it, it is
proposed that this undertaking be organized as a joint CIA/Air Force
project in which the CIA will undertake procurement as indicated
above, with the assistance of the Air Force in all phases, and will
conduct overflights as a clandestine operation. Within the CIA, the
Special Assistant to the Director for Planning and Coordination
(SA/PC/DCI) will be in charge of the project, with Mr. Herbert Miller
as Executive Officer. He will be supported by other officers temporarily
assigned on a part-time or full-time basis as appropriate. Sub-projects
will be organized forthwith as components of AQUATONE covering the
performance of all the following functions:
1. Airframe procurement (Project OARFISH)
2. Procurement of photo-reconnaissance equipment (Project
3. Development and rocurement of electronic equipment
0
(Project
4. Assemblt
ly an ormulation of photo-intelligence requirements
(Project EQUINE)
5. Assembly and formulation of electronic-intelligence requirements
(Project
6. Pilot recruitment and training (Project
At a later stage, other component projects will be organized as required.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended
a. That the project be approved as outlined above.
b. That the Special Assistant to the Director for Planning
and Coordination be designated as the official in charge of the project
and as Approving Officer,, subject to the guidance of the Deputy Director
of Central Intelligence and the Director of Central Intelligence.
c. That the procurement of the airframes, photo-reconnaissance
equipment and electronic equipment up to the amounts indicated above be
authorized, subject to the following provisions:
(1) Procurement and contractual arrangements will be
those normally employed by the Agency, with such emmptions and
restrictions designed to achieve maximum security as may be approved
by the Approving Officer.
(2) All contractual and procurement documents, arrange-
ments and commitments will be specifically approved in advance by the
General Counsel.
Approved For Release 2003/11/21 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000100430006-6 1'S #103219
TOP SHRET
Copy I of J- 0
 Approved For Releae 2003/1J19fl: Sf4 3-02415A00Q1~,0430006-6
25X1
25X1
-5-
commitments and documents which obligate funds
in excess of kill be approved by the Director of Central
Intelligence.
(1.) Appropriate documentation will be obtained from the
Air Force and from competent technical advisers in support of procure-
ment contracts and the specifications and descriptions of materiel
to which they refer.
d. That the recruitment and training of pilots and any other
action necessary in preparation for the mounting of overflights be
authorized, t with expenses incidental thereto initially up to
the amount of
e. That the Comptroller be authorized to expend funds in V
the manner and to the extent approved by the Approving Officer within
the limitations as to quantity and procedure set forth above.
f. That the Approving Officer be authorized to arrange for
the necessary gathering and formulation of intelligence requirements and
mission planning, in cooperation with the Air Force as appropriate,
g. That the Approving Officer be directed to maintain the
closest possible security over all phases of AQUATONE.
25X1
R. M. BISSELL, JR.
Special Assistant to the Director
for Planning and Coordination
25X1
Deputy Director Deputy Director Intelligence
Intelligence
Deputy Director (Plans) Deputy Director (Administration]
General Coun.4el
Director of e tral Intelligence
TS #10321
Approved For Release 2003/11/21 : CIA-RDP33-02415A0001004300064PY / of St,
TOP SECRET