PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000800250006-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 20
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 3, 2002
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: April 16, 1968
• Content Type: MF

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OXCART/IDEALIST
18949-68
opy Y of /
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, CIA Reconnaissance Programs
SUBJECT: Program Progress Report
Forwarded herewith are Program Progress Reports
(5 copies each) for OXCART and IDEALIST for the period
1 January 1968 - 31 March 1968.
PAUL N. BACALIS
Brigadier General, USAF
Director of Special Activities
Attachments -
As stated
G03GP 1T -
Excluded tr.-m antomat!e
devin?r;tiia and
d~c's,~i'i :u?i n
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I
SAS/O/OSA (10 April 1968)
Distribution:
Copy No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - D/CRP (w/att)
6 - DDS&T Registry (w../att)
7 - D/SA (w/att)
8 - SAS/O/OSA (w/att)
9 - D/O/OSA (w/at t )
10 - OXC/OSA (w/att)
11 - IDEA/OSA (w/att)
12 - R&D/OSA (w/att)
13 - RB/OSA
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L6433-68 25X1A
a A
Section 1
OXCART
DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY AND PROGRESS
(1 January 1968 - 31 March 1968)
AIRFRAME
An A-12 Flight Handbook performance meeting,
convened by Operations, was attended at LAC, Burbank
to review the latest revisions. The revised data
included non-standard day performance, high-altitude
turn technique and a proposed revised format for
mission profiles.
Aircraft 127 experienced an engine compressor
stall problem at 20,000 feet during a rapid descent
on 27 February at Kadena. The stall problem could
not be cleared and the aircraft landed with the left
engine in a stalled condition. The en ine involved
(SIN 229) was immediately returned for 25X1A
flight investigation in Aircraft 121. The o ~ectives
of these flight tests included duplication of the
problem experienced in Aircraft 127 and investigation
of possible techniques to be used by the pilot for
clearing such stalls if the problem is encountered in
flight. Four flights in Article 121 failed to duplicate
the problem and another engine (S/N 221) which had
exhibited similar stall characteristics has replaced
S/N 229 in Aircraft 121 in another effort to duplicate
and investigate the problem in flight.
During this quarterly period a'total of 41 camera
missions were flown.
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Tab A
Section 1
Page 2
a. Type I - Twenty-eight (28) camera flights
were made. Six (6) of these were operational
missions and all were successful. There were
no failures during any of the twenty-two (22)
non-operational missions.
b. Type IV - Thirteen (13) missions, all non-
operational, were flown during this quarter. There
was one failure. SN-3 malfunctioned twenty seconds
after turn-on. Inspection revealed gears in planetary
drive motor froze due to defective seal which caused
loss of lubrication.
c. Final missions for low sun tests were completed
late in March. The data is now at Perkin Elmer for
analysis. Altitude calibration tests utilizing
Type IV were completed. Tests using Type I are being
initiated.
d. New Type I exposure tables committed to
operational use.
25X1A
e. A study by 25X1A
was completed
he data is currently
cySSD/R&D/OSA.'1'
being utilized.
IV. AIRCRAFT FLIGHT TEST AND OPERATIONAL TRAINING SUMMARY*
(January, February, March 1968)
Flig
Acft J-F-
hts Time
M J-F-M
Total
Flights
Total
Time
121 1
3 29:53
319 4
14:23
122
-
162 1
77:51
123
- -
78 1
36:10
124 1
3 20:15
598 10
51:15
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Section 1
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25X1A
Acft
Flights
J-F-M
Time
J-F-M
To
Fl
tal
ights
Total
Time
125
-
-
2
03
334:55
126
-
-
1
04
169:16
127
15
35:15
2
50
476:05
128
13
27:00
2
27
443:45
129
12
22:05
2
61
394:10
130
9
16:45
2
06
381:15
131
13
30:10
1
68
322:40
132
12
32:40
1
85
345:15
133
-?
-
9
8:17
Totals 100 214:03 2770
*Includes Ferry Flights and Operational Missions
4655:18
During this period no major life support development
activities occurred. Modification kits for each pilot's
pressure suit were delivered during this period which will
provide various flotation improvements developed in the
past. Included in the modifications are pressure relief
valves for protection against inadvertent inflation at
altitude, provisions for using the LAC provided, water
activated, automatic inflator, drain provisions for coverall
legs and pockets, and relocation of the inflator for easy
access of lanyard with either hand. Flame resistant cloth
boots (NOMEX H-T) were delivered for each pilot's pressure
suit for use with the canvas tropical boots being used on
BLACK SHIELD flights. New ejection seat headrests with
improved man/seat separators were installed by service
bulletin during this period. This development was conducted
during the preceding calendar year by LAC. New life raft
delivery was accomplished during this period after a long
delay due to inability of the contractor to procure adequate
materials. A one day famili -4 -1-4 on visit to the Kadena
facility was made by during this period.
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6433-68
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Section 2
OPERATIONAL SUMMARY AND PROGRESS
(1 January. - 31 March 1968)
1. OVERFLIGHT SUMMARY (PINWHEEL)
Six A-12 overflight missions were flown during this
period. All missions were launched and recovered from
Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. The following is a brief resume
of each mission.
a. against North
Vietnam targets in the north central area. Total fli ht
time was 3:57.
1 11
Eight of the nine priority SSM targets were covered.
25X1A
25X1 D
b. against North
Vietnam targets in the north eastern and north central
areas. Total flight time was 4:09. 25X1D
25X1 D
o a o sites covered; occupied; one new
site identified. Seven of the nine priority SSM targets
were covered.
C. I and accomplished
three passes over North Korea. Total flight time was 4:00.
25X1 D
total of
sites covered; occupied. Good coverage was obtained
of both North Korean and ROK military installations/forces,
activity along the DMZ and large portions of the trans-
portation system and industrial base. The U.S.S. Pueblo
was located anchored in an inlet in Wonsan Bay. Overall
photographic quality was excellent and 90 percent of the
areas covered were cloud-free.
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d, against North
Vietnam targets in the nor centra area with one pass
over the DMZ. Total flight time was 3:54. 25X1D
No targe coverage was o acne ue
to 95 percen c oud cover in area of interest.
rpretation in the mountainous area.
e, and accomplished
two passes over Nor ore o i time was 3:39.
The mission obtained good coverage of the southern two-
fifths of North Korea. Haze and snow cover hampered
inte
d
vxen:LS
mission bringing new North Korea total
eSAMsototeighteen.
occupied; 2 for identification only. Eightyveight
bonus targets were covered. One SSM target was g
covered. Four new SAM sites were unto
25X1D f. T jagainst targets of
interest in th
e area, North Vietnam and the Cambodian/
Laotian border of South Vietnam
T
t
l
.
o
a
fix -ht time was 4:01.
25X1 D
Portions of Laos, Cambodia and the South
ietnamese-Cambod' b
ra
25X1A
n order were covered on cloud-free
photography. Nine bonus targets were obtained in Laos and
four bonus targets were obtained in Cambodia. No useable
photography of North Vietnam was obtained due to cloud
cover. This mission was designed and flown primarily to
obtain' coverage of the high interest area around the DMZ
and Khe Sanh.
II. PILOT AND A-12 AIRCRAFT LOCATIONS
25X1 D
Pilots Okinawa, Kadena AB 25X1A
A-12 Aircraft 5* 3
*Includes trainers (#124) and one flight test aircraft
(#121) Plus aircraft 130 which was placed in storage 25X1A
on 26 February 1968.
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25X1 D
III. OTHER ASSOCIATED OPERATIONAL, ACTIVITIES
a. SAC/SR-71 Take Over of North Vietnam Coverage:
Three SAC/SR-71 aircraft deployed to Kadena Air Base,
Okinawa on 9, 11 and 13 March 1968. Primary responsibility
for surveillance of North Vietnam was assumed by the SR-71's
effective 0001Z/15 March 1968. Per DNRO decision, OXCART
Deployed Task Force will remain at Kadena a minimum of
thirty days and redeploy upon direction by higher authority.
While co-located at Kadena with the SR-71 Task Force,
OXCART will maintain capability to generate/execute
.operational mission(s) if directed to do so.
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16433-68 25X1A
a
Section 1
IDEALIST
DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY AND PROGRESS
(1 January 1968 - 31 March 1968)
a. The second U-2R development status and technical
meeting was held at LAC, Burbank, on 1 February. Design
changes in the hydraulic system and in the emergency
brake system were reviewed. Instrumented flight data
indicated excellent agreement between predicted and
actual maximum power range factors and altitudes.
b. U-2R Delivery Schedule - Aircraft Nos. 3 and 4
were delivered to Edwards it Force Base during the
period. Aircraft No. 3 was delivered on 12 January
and performed its first flight on 17 February 1968.
Aircraft No. 4 was delivered on 13 February and flew
for the first time on 29 March 1968. Acceptance of
the aircraft by the Detachment has been delayed pending
resolution of the propulsion system ejector problem.
c. U-2R Flight Test Summary (thru 31 March 1968)
AIRCRAFT TOTAL FLIGHTS TOTAL HOURS
1 50 161:37 .
2 18 57:13
,3 6 12:18
4 2 1:11
25X1 D
1. Maximum Altitude
2. Maximum Duration
3. Maximum Take-Off
Gross Weight
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The flight test program for the U-2R aircraft has
been delayed by problems encountered with the ejector
type exhaust nozzle which involves serious unaxisymmetric
thrust components on take-off, and high noise levels
during ground running. The problem appears to be caused
by flow separation in the diverging portion of the
ejector, and attachment of the primary (tailpipe) flow
on the ejector wall. Both the unaxisymmetric thrust
and noise problems appear to be affected by very slight
variations in tailpipe/ejector geometry and the amount
and distribution of secondary airflow in the ejector.
A number of schemes have been tested to date in an
attempt to solve the problem. These have included cut
and try modifications as well as efforts to remedy the
problems through some understanding of the aerodynamics
involved.
25X1A
On 20 March 1968 a successful flight test of the B-2
camera S/N 229 was conducted in the U-2R vehicle 052.
Flight altitude for the test was Photographic 25X1D
coverage was obtained of the Edwar s arge range, Los Angeles,
San Diego and Phoenix. The best measured resolutJ
25X1 D
Quality o the photography was consistently
better Than previously demonstrated in the "C" vehicle.
The improved photographic quality is attributed to better
stability of the U-2R vehicle, higher quality window glass,
improved vibration isolator mounts on camera, and clear
haze free weather in the target area(s) at the time of the
test.
1. Q-445 Seat Kit - An accidental disconnect of the
pilot s oxygen leads from his seat kit during taxi-out
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6433-68 25X1A
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occurred in January and has led to major meetings
between ASD/R&D (Life Support) Detachment G personnel
and Seat Kit contractors (LAC . The 25X1A
immediate fix required was a one time inspec on and
updating of all Q-445 seat kits and a tightening of
IRAN procedures and Quality Control inspections by the
contractors involved. This was accomplished on all
kits immediately after the incident and the subsequent
discovery of the basic problem by Detachment G personnel.
Because of the incident, the ECP for an improved Q-445
seat kit previously requested from LAC has been delayed.
Agreements were reached during this period regarding
the improvements required for improved safety, reliability,
and protection. The new ECP is expected to be received
shortly.
2. Partial Pressure Suit Modifications - If the Q-445
seat kit is modified to provide redundancy of oxygen
supply (i.e., separate ship supply and emergency supply
hoses), the P.P.S. will require additional oxygen hose
attachments and check valves. An engineering study was
initiated during this period to determine the exact
requirements for such P.P.S. modifications.
3. Flame Resistant (NOMEX H-T) Coveralls - NOMEX
coveralls for all IDEALIST pilots were delivered
during this period.
4. Training - initiated training of
Detachment G Pe song equipment technicians and technical
representatives in the operation of the one man altitude
chamber installed in the Freuhauf maintenance van during
this period. received partial pressure
suit indoctrination ram in this chamber
during this reporting pe .
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1. 5-1010 PPA: Three project pilots and the project
test pilot received 5-1010 Pilot Protective Assembly
fittings and altitude chamber indoctrinations from
during this period. The fittings were
very success ul, and the pilot acceptance and evaluation
of the new equipment has been very satisfactory. The
production of 5-1010 PPAs has proceeded smoothly and
no major problems have been encountered.
2. Support Equipment: AGE and test equipment for the
S-1010 PPA an re aced U-2R life support equipment, for
Detachment G's FAKs and for Detachment H is in production
and delivery has started on some items. No delays in
out-fitting either the FAKs or Detachment H are expected.
3. Visit to Detachment H: visited
Detachment H for three a s to assist
in obtaining for the S-1010
PPA and to di - equipment and AGE
requirements with Detachment personnel. The status
of U-2C support at Detachment H was also reviewed and
found to be very satisfactory.
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J 6433-68 25X1A
a B
Section 2
OPERATIONAL SUMMARY AND STATUS
(1 January 1968 - 31 March 1968)
I. OVERFLIGHT SUMMARY
Three Agency U-2 overflight missions were flown during
the third quarter of FY 68. Three other missions were
alerted, however, two were cancelled due to weather and
one was recalled after take-off (prior to entry into denied
territory) due to deteriorating weather in the target area.
This mission
covered the Central China Coast with the "H" camera.
The aircraft did not overfly the China mainland. I
I I No aircraft missiles or contrails
the pilot.
This
mission covered ou China along the Sino-DRV border,
with the Delta Camera. This was the first overflight
of the China land mass since 8 September 1967.
One MIG-21 was
sign tea by the pilo over-all photo analysis was
considered good with 60% cloud cover.
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6433-68 25X1A
a B
Section 2
Page 2
I
e observed weather was goo over the
arge area and 80% of photo coverage was obtained.
There were no reactions to the overflight. No fighter
or missile activity was noted
25X1 D
25X1 D
25X1A
Three flights wore made in January for the
purpose of obtaining photographic coverage of designated
tactical and strategic U.S. targets for the U.S. Navy.
Excellent results were obtained.
SWAP SHOP IX, lI ferr of Article 385 from 25X1A
25X1A on 23 January, to was completed on 30 anuary.
d. U-2R (Orientation Flights)
Three orientation flights were conducted in the U-2R
by Detachment pilots. Orientation flights are currently
curtailed due to unresolved vehicle tailpipe vibrations.
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All flights on Article 349 during January and
February were flown using JP-5 fuel in continuation
of the test utilizing JP-5 fuel for the U-2 aircraft.
As a result of an engine change on Article 349 this
test was terminated on 28 February.
Five RED DOT missions were flown this quarter.
These are film evaluation missions.
Carrier requalifications were scheduled during
February. Four pilots participated in multiple
MLPs at Edwards and subsequently 10 sorties were flown
on 27 February utilizing the aircraft carrier
USS Constellation, off the Pacific coast.
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L-i 6433-68 25X1A
a C
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, OSA
QUARTERLY PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT
(1 January 1968 - 31 March 1968)
25X1A
a. Induced Drag Reduction Program
The wind tunnel test program for the potential
induced drag reduction concept is proceeding on
schedule. Partial quantitative data were obtained
using a single diffuser model
wind tunnel.
This data showed that significant forces are generated
on the wing surface by the diffuser. During this
period arrangements were completed to shift the
quantitative part of the test program to the four-
foot wind tunnel at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate
School at Monterey, California. The tunnel has a
200 mph speed capability and a three component force
balance. The tunnel is similar to the now dismantled
tunnel at Cal Tech initially proposed for this program.
25X1A
25X1 D
c. HAZE ATTENUATION STUDY
25X1A 25X1A A small six-month study was initiated with
to define the degree of improvement
in aerial photography attainable by means of automatic
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polarization control. The effort was started in early
February. No significant results are available, or
expected at this time.
25X1A
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25X1A
Contractual relations with were
terminated on 15 January 1968. e program was
generally unsuccessful. It is not expected to further
pursue balloon vehicles from this office.
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25X1A
25X1 C
25X1 D
Conference at Lovelace Clinic, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
I lattended and participated in a conference
on Special Project Aeromedical and Life Support Activities
which B/Gen Don Flickinger conducted. Participants
included Lovelace Clinic personnel, USAF Surgeon General
Maj/Gen Kenneth Pletcher, and Aeromedical/Life Support
Personnel from Detachment G USAF Surgeon
General's Office, an Bale AFB. reviewed 25X1A
OSA's life support requirements, equipment, and
developmental efforts.
a. The semi-annual OXCART A-12 Aircraft Experience
Data and Systems Reliability publication was updated
through 31 December 1967.
b. D/R&D personnel presented 16 hours of instruction
during the OSA portion of the DDS&T Career Development
Course.
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