PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
14
Document Creation Date: 
December 12, 2016
Document Release Date: 
April 5, 2002
Sequence Number: 
5
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
October 15, 1973
Content Type: 
MF
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5.pdf350.57 KB
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TOP ~ SECRET Approved For F'fease 2002/0 1 I P33-02415AW800020005-5 9263-10-73 25X1 Lop 6 of 12 NRO review completed 15 OCT 1973 MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, CIA Reconnaissance Programs SUBJECT: Program Progress Report Forwarded herewith are three copies of the IDEALIST Program Progress Report for the period 1 July 1973 - 30 September 1973. A. Brigadier General, USAF Director of Special Activities 25X1 As stated 0457-73) CLASSIF;f !) i?Y -I I --- Si;(~!, i? c ne more) 25X1 Impossible to Determine (unless i;_qozr;~,?r, ~..-^t c':o-tr or event) .Approved For Release 20021A$ P : ? F-02415A0008000~ d6~frp 1C EXCLUDED FROM fiSC DOWNGRADING AND DECLASSIFICATION 25X1 25X1 TOP SECRET Approved For FWease 2002/015.i_kglRSPfDP33-02415AQ&0800020005-5 9263-10-73 F 2 SAS/O/OSA Distribution: 1 - D/CRP 2 - D/CRP 3 - D/CRP 4 - DDS&T Reg 5 - D/SA 6- SAS/O/OSA 7 - D/O/OSA 8 - IDEA/O/OSA 9 - INTEL/O/OSA 10 - D/ M/ OSA 11 - AMS/OSA 12 - RB/OSA (12 October 1973) 25X1 IDEALIST GROUPI EXCLUDED FROM pproved For Release 200 3-02415A0008000 ?10?5~$~ DOWNGRADING - - AND DECLASSIFICATION Approved For FWease 2002/0892 S~A-RUF33-02415A800020005-5 IDEALIST 645?-73 25X1 Section 1 IDEALIST OPERATIONAL SUMMARY AND STATUS (1 July 1973 - 30 September 1973) A. Nine IDEALIST TACKLE operational missions were alerted during this period. All missions were planned to be flown no closer tha1n 25 nautical miles to the China mainland coast. The following is a summary of the missions flown: 3. along the south China coast and Hainan Island. The mission was flown to collect photo information utilizing the "H" camera configuration. The pilot reported the weather to be worse than forecast and estimated 60 percent mission success. The Hainan and Fort Bayard areas were obscured by clouds. Twenty-seven of 86 programmed and five bonus non-COMIREX targets were photographed. pproved For Release 200 CLUDFDFROM Mfb , xDOWNGRADIING AND DECLAS51rICAHION 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 Approved For Lease 2002TI 0, and 14 bonus non-COMIREX targets were photographed. 6457-73 25X1 Sec ion 1 Page 2 B. One mission was flown to obtain standoff photography of coastal North Vietnam with the "H" camera configuration. This mission was planned to approach no closer than 12 nautical miles from the North Vietnam mainland or offshore islands. I and provided the best peripheral coverage to date of the Vietnamese coastal areas. Coverage was obtained from northern Quang Tri province in South Vietnam to the Don Son peninsula in North Vietnam. The mission provided new or updated information on land and waterborne logistics routes, logistics support facilities, transshipment points and storage areas, SA-2 deployment, status of military barracks and airfields, and a limited amount of new ground order of battle information. The mission was flown as briefed with no unusual A- L film test. 25X1A reported as briefed with 40 percent mission success. Sixty- seven of 100 programmed targets, seven bonus COMIR.EX targets,, designed to collect hoto information utilizing the "H" camera configuration. e mission was flown as briefed with no unusual activities or sightings reported. Weather was -- Shanghai along the north central China 4. activities or sightings orted. RED DOT - One sortie was flown in support of continuing Approved For Release 2002fj-02415A0008000~ GROUP I EXCLUDFD FROM 0RO005k5C DOWNGRADING AND DECLASSIFICATION 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5 Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5 Approved For lease 2002"/08/'12 SCTA=RDP33-02415A'80800020005-5 IDEALIST 16457-73 25X1 Section 1 Page 4 PILOT AND AIRCRAFT STATUS (AS OF 30 SEPTEMBER 1973) A. Detachment "G" (Edwards AFB - North Base) Aircraft 2 U-ZR Pilots 25X1 Aircraft 2 U-ZR 25X1 Operationally Ready (Standby Status) 25X1 ~ppproved For Release 200O 2$j :?[A:J p,PT3-02415A0008000 (""XCLUDED FROM DOWNGRADING AND DECLASSIFICATION Approved For R ease 2002/0$/!D2/. 1.A 4P33-02415A 800020005-5 6457-73 25X1 TOP SECRET IDEALIST DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY AND PROGRESS (1 July 1973 - 30 September 1973) I AIRFRAME A. J-75P13B Engine Improvement 1. First and Third Stage Turbine Blades a. The feasibility of extending engine Hot Section Inspection (HSI) and Time Between Overhaul (TBO), as a result of improved first and third stage turbine blades, was indicated during the routine overhaul of the first of three engines in this test program. b. Evaluation of first stage turbine blades' at approxi- mately 700 hours and third stage blades at 1400 hours produced highly satisfactory results. (1) First stage blades were totally free of leading edge cracks, were in very good condition, and no blades required replacement. The earlier blade had a replace- ment factor of up to 60 percent for cracks. (2) Third stage blades were found in good condition and no replacement blades were required. 2. Constant Speed Drive (CSD) Modification a. Three CSD units have been delivered to the contractor for use in a feasibility test program designed to obtain a CSD/Main AC generator system that will stay on line for low engine RPM used during final approach. IDEALIST GROUP I EXCLUDED FROM Approved For Release 200 3-02415A0008000 90?" DOWNGRADING AND DECLASSIFICATION Approved For Rase 2002T0$f& A i~-SP33-02415A91i0800020005-5 457-73 25X1 Section 2 Page 2 b. The CSDs will be reworked to permit incorporation of a new fixed wobbler prior to laboratory feasibility testing scheduled for December 1973. B. U-ZR Flight Test and Operational Training Summary 1. IDEALIST Program accomplishments in U-2R aircraft since introduction include 11, 863.7 hours on 3664 sorties as of 30 September 1973. 2. Flight test and operational data are depicted below: 1 JUL-30 SEP FLIGHTS 1 JUL-30 SEP TIME 1 - 051 46 125. 0 2 - 053 48 132. 3 3 - 054 50 152. 1 4 - 055 44 183.7 TOTAL 188 593. 1 PAYLOAD A. E'H" Camera - 1. During August the decision was made to remove the mirror from Detachment "H" configuration Serial Number 003 and install it in the thermally modified configuration Serial Number 002, located at the contractor's facility. 2. After five satisfactory test flights conducted between 27 and 31 August, Serial Number 002 was deployed to Detachment "1-i" on 4 September. Following continued flight testing, the configuration was declared Operationally Ready on 14 September 1973. pproved For Release 200 J3-02415A00080002 W 1C EXCLUDED FROM 1115C DOWNGRADING AND DECLASSIFICATION Approved For Rase 2002TO?TjInA 457-73 ecion2 Page 3 3. Serial Number 003 was then returned to the contractor's facility on 6 September for thermal modification and installation of a new mirror. This configuration is scheduled to enter flight testing early in November 1973. B. '`H" Hatch Pressure Test 1. On 19 Jul 1973, in an attempt to define the cause of the ghost image anomaly evidenced on some photographic products. As a result of this consultation, the effects of air density across the hatch windows became a candidate for serious consideration. 2. Lockheed developed a method for instrumenting the r'H" hatch to measure this environmental effect, and two flight tests were conducted to acquire operational data. This data. is currently being evaluated "B" Cameras 1. Serial Number 229 was returned to the contractor's plant on 13 July 1973 because its performance did not meet contract specifications. Contractor evaluation indicated that platen recontouring would be necessary to bring the configuration up to customer requirements. Recontouring is being accomplished, and Serial Number 229 is scheduled to reenter flight testing late in October 1973. 2. Serial Number 230 experienced accidental dropping while being loaded into the Q Bay and was returned to the contractor's facility on 24 July for repair. Repair work was completed and the configuration resumed flight testing on 21 September 1973. D. Camera - This configuration entered the contractor's plant as sc eduled on 14 August for installation of a second f/3. 5 apochromatic lens and variable slit modification to the scan heads, The unit is scheduled to be redelivered to Detachment "G" during January 1974. 25X1 25X1 25X1 IDEALIST o I XCLUDED FROM pproved For Release 2002j,0a{'12 : 3-02415A0008000 fd& DDW NG RAD ING T013 ?&H AND DECLASSIFICATION JI 25X1 Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5 Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5 Approved For Re ease 2007/0 S 33-02415A 0800020005-5 457-73 25X1 Section 2 Page 6 25X1 25X1 A. 1-1 Medical Activities 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 Life Support Activities 1. 51010 Parachute Retainer Strap - The retainer strap used to insure that the main riser of the RQ-225 parachute remains properly positioned on the shoulder will be lengthened one inch on all 51010 full pressure suits. This action follows successful completion of test parachute drops conducted in September 1973 1 25X1 device feasibility study has been successfully completed. Helicopter test flights using a breadboard model were accomplished in September 1973. Live parachute drop tests are scheduled to begin the week of 15 October 1973 in Buffalo, N. Y. 2. Automatic Seat Kit - The Approved For Release 2002 6y. Pf3-02415A0008000 LUDED FROM 00684XDO WNGRAp NG AND DECLASSIFICATION Approved For R eease 2002/0q/jZ]ACI& P33-02415A!O800020005-5 6457-73 Section 2 Page 7 3. 51010 Pilot Protective Assembly (PPA) Flotation Development - A flyable prototype flotation assembly for subject #434 was evaluated at Detachment "G" on 21 September 1973. Based on the successful results of this cockpit study, the new flotation will be test flown during the next quarter. If successful, an additional 20 pounds of buoyancy will be provided the pilot to assist him, if necessary, in surviving in a rough sea condition. 5. Shark Deterrent Screen - The shark deterrent screen (shark bag) developed by Dr. C. Scott Johnson of the Naval Under- sea Warfare Center, San Diego, California, appears to be a more reliable method of providing shark protection to a downed pilot than the existing chemical shark chaser. Cost estimates have been requested from the prime contractor of the full pressure suit, the David Clark Company, to fabricate a small number of bags. The be approached or a price estimate on the same item. The I Ihas been instrumental in the past in successfully vacuum packaging otherwise rather large and bulky items such as the jungle hammock for inclusion in the U-ZR survival seat kit. Training Activities 25X1 25X1 25X1 1. Survival Training - Parasail 25X1 tropical, and seacoast survival raining was con ucte or 25X1 I Ifrom 23 July through 5 August 1973 in southern Florida. Physiological training, explosive decompressions, and pressure suit low pressure chamber flights were also accomplished forl during this quarter. Both pressure suits required some factory rework for proper fit, all of which has been completed and the suits are in place at Detachment "G". IDEALIST pproved For Release 20021jk :ft 3-02415A0008000~ TOP SECRET GROUP I EXCLUDED FROM 0095A5C DOWNGRADING AND DECLASSIFICATION TOP SECRET Approved For Rase 2002/04/I1Z]ACA4,gWP33-02415A@W800020005-5 457-73 25X1 Section 2 Page 8 Life Support Conference - The semiannual Life Support U-3-nference was held at Brooks AFB, San Antonio, Texas, on 15 - 16 August 1973. meeting, of AMS/OSA, attended this 25X1 25X1 IDEALIST 4pproved For Release 2002falp :g 3-02415A0008000~ GROUP I EXCLUDED FROM OO05A5C DOWNGRADING AND DECLASSIFICATION Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5 25X1 Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5