CIA VIEWS CONCERNING CONVERSION OF U-2 AIRCRAFT FOR CARRIER OPERATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP62B00844R000200040019-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 13, 2002
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: July 31, 1957
• Content Type: MFR

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31 July 1957
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: CIA Views Concerning Conversion of U-2 Aircraft for Carrier
Operations
In the course of discussions between the Navy and the Air Force, and
between this Agency and each of these two Services, on the matter of U-2
conversion for carrier operations some misunderstanding may have arisen
as to the position of this Agency. Accordingly, the following summary of
our position, as it has been expressed in the successive phases of these
conversations, has been formulated.
The possibility of the conversion of the U-2 for carrier
based operations was first studied in the CIA and discussed very
informally with several cleared Naval Officers early in 1957. As
a result of that study the CIA concluded that there would be little
or no gain in coverage of the Soviet Bloc through carrier operations
beyond that obtainable from land bases in Western Europe, Turkey,
I
require a carrier based capability only ifj tk
(A were deprived of one or more of its already
established bases, or
%) Could not secure permission to stage through a
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and Japan. Therefore, the AQUATONE Project would
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The value of such a capability to this Project would be as
insurance against any contingency which would render land bases
unavailable.
tezj~
Our assessment of the political situation at
tWft same time
led us to conclude that the risk of loss of one or more of our bases
as a result of unforeseen political developments was very considerable,
and that insurance against this contingency would therefore be most
valuable. It appeared, therefore, that insurance against this
contingency would be most valuable. In April. therefore, the
7,39sihility of developing a carried based capability was discussed
m - re formally with the Navy and this Agency indicated that it would
b, - favorably inclined toward participation in a faint project with
t?-,. Wavy to empl-:;y such a capability. It was made clear, however,
no such program could he undertaken withcit Air Force cnn-
-*. The Air Force has been a full partner in A C)LU.A TONE
=?inre its inception;
1). The Air Force has furnished without reimhnrspmpnt
11 ~' sucea in the Project and large quantities of consumable
supplies; and
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c. It has been understood that aircraft and all other equipment
utilized in the Project would be turned over to the Air Force when it
became surplus. The Agency did agree, however, that Lockheed would
be asked to undertake an engineering study of a carrier version of the
U-2 immediately.
3. During the subsequent two months three political developments
25X1 C
occurred which modified the Agency's estimate of the availability of land bases.
As a result of these three developments it appeared
that alternate bases would be available on short notice to AQUATONE should any
of the three presently occupied have to be evacuated. Mainly because of these
developments this Agency reached the conclusion that there was little need for
insurance against the risk of loss of one or more land bases. Late in June this
revised estimate was presented to the Navy and the Agency indicated that on the
basis of this estimate the expenditure of Agency funds to develop a carrier based
capability could not be justified.
4. In summary, the present position of the Agency is as follows:
a. A carrier based capability would add little if anything to the
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coverage of the Soviet Bloc obtainable by AQUATONE,
b. The availability of alternate land bases provides a fair
degree of insurance against the contingency of unfavorable political
developments.
c. H'he great flexibility of a carrier based capability, along with
the added insurance against the non-availability of needed land bases.would
be a real advantage especially in the event of any requirement for
reconnaissance outside of the Soviet Bloc. This Agency would therefore
be happy to see this additional capability developed.
d. Aircraft and other equipment cannot however be diverted
ultimately
from the Air Force for carrier operations and aotlmasafasc turned over to the
Navy without the full concurrence of the Air Force.
e. If the decision is made to proceed with the carrier conversions,
this Agency will participate with the Navy in such operations on the same
basis as it has with the Air Force in land based operations.
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