SURFACING OF THE LRI

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP63-00313A000500140073-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 26, 2004
• Sequence Number: 73
• Publication Date: October 18, 1963
• Content Type: MF

ApprovedpFor Release. 2004/0,SEC-RDP63 13A000500140073-2
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18 OCT 1963
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director (Science and Technology)
SUBJECT Surfacing of the LRI
REFERENCE : A.
B.
1. At a meeting with Dr. McMillan on 14 October 1963
to discuss the OXCART Contingency Plan, he again raised the
much discussed Hotz incident and proposed that active consider-
ation be given now to the controlled surfacing of the AF-12 (LRI).
2. Dr. McMillan expressed the view that with the increasing
speculation concerning Kelly Johnson's activities and the possibility
of an incident resulting from the increased tempo of operations
it would be unrealistic to assume we can continue inde -
initely toavoid exposure of the program. In his opinion a carefully.
prepared and controlled surfacing, at a time of our own selection,
would be much less damaging than if we were forced into precipitate
action by a mishap or news media expose'. (This, incidentally,
is identical to the position we took six months ago when we proposed
surfacing the LRI to cover the OXCART program. It was vetoed
at that time by the Secretary of Defense. See refs.
3. Dr. McMillan agreed that any surfacing in the immediate
future should involve only the AF-12 and that decisions involving
the R-l2 could be deferred, probably until 1965. The R-1Z's will
be entering the picture in January of that year and in August or
September of 1965 they will' be available in considerable numbers.
NRO review(s) completed.
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4. The question of the timing of a surfacing of the LRI
was discussed and it was the majority view that it should be done
at an early date if it is to serve the intended purpose. Concerning
the surfacing of a titanium aircraft, Dr. McMillan stated that
Secretary McNamara did not regard this as:a problem.
5. In conclusion, Dr. McMillan advised those present that
he intended to write a memorandum to the DCI expressing his views.
on the surfacing problem. It is the opinion of this Office that if
this memorandum does, in fact, follow the line expounded by
Dr. McMillan in this meeting, DD/ S& T should support the proposal
to surface the LRI, subject to careful preparation and selection
of time.
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JAMES A. CUN NG AM, JR.
Acting Assistant Director
(Special Activities)
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SAL/ OSA:
(17 October 1963)
1 & 2 DD/S&T
3 AD/OSA
4 DAD/OSA
5 SS/OSA
6 PS/OSA
-_-3 FA/-OSA
8 TECH/OSA
9 Mr. McMahon/OSA
10 SAL/OSA
11 SAL/OSA (chrono)
12 RI/OSA
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