COMMENTS ON ' THE BIG RED LIE '

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP67B00446R000100350005-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 15, 2004
• Sequence Number: 5
• Content Type: NOTES

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COMMENTS ON "THE BIG RED LIE"
1. As.Mr. Mallan states, many Soviet fighter aircraft are obsolete
or obsolescent. This is particularly true of the MIG-15 and MIG-17
fighters and of the IL-28 light bomber. A breakdown of Soviet fighters
is approximately 60% MIG-171s, 20% MIG-151s, 15% MIG-191s, and 5%
Yak-25ts out of a total of approximately 10, 000 fighter aircraft.
The light bomber forces are almost entirely equipped with IL-28ts.
2. Mr. Mallan is not quite correct as to the types of aircraft
engaged in the battle of Formosa Strait. There were no MIG-19ts
involved, only MIG-15's and MIG-17's were used by the Chinese
Communists. Even though the MIG-17 is a later model aircraft than
the MIG-15, it had the same type of flight instability which made
the MIG-15 very vulnerable. The guided missiles used by the F-86Dts (P&-84Q4 ?
were the overpowering feature of the Formosa Strait battle.
3. Mr. Mallants statement that current Soviet fighters are little
better than U. S. fighters of the late 1940's is in error. The MIG-19's
are considerably better than U. S. fighters of that period.
4. Although we believe newer and more advanced fighters are
beginning to go into operation, we agree with Mr. Mallan that the
MIG-19 is as yet the Soviets best operational fighter. Its performance
is somewhat better than the F-100A. It is more nearly comparable to the
F-1000 except that the MIG-19 has greater altitude capability.
5. The area rule which Mr. Mallan could not see in use applies
to high subsonic and transonic flight. A modified area rule is
used for supersonic aircraft which is not necessarily apparent to
the casual observer.
6. In 1956 the Soviets demonstrated fighter prototypes having
speed capabilities of Mach 1. 6 to Mach Z. 0. As yet these aircraft
have not been seen in operation. Although a few of these aircraft
are probably in operation, it is very unlikely that they would be
located at a place where Mr. Mallan could have seen them.
7. We do not believe, as Mr. Mallan does, that the reported
flight of Korovushkin was a hoax. It seems likely that a high
speed flight was made, although we do not know the actual speed
attained.
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8. We disagree with Mr. Mallan?s belief that the delta winged
aircraft shown to General Twining were built for "show-off" purposes
only. They undoubtedly were prototypes and may well have been
rushed to completion for purposes of the show, but there is evidence
that some of these aircraft are now going into service.
9. Mr. Mallan is in error when he states that Soviet aircraft
are not equipped with air intercept radar. Some models of the MIG-17's
and MIG-19ts have AI radar, but the radomes differ from U. S. types and
are not easily identified by the casual observer. The Yak-25 fighter
has a very large radome.
10. We cannot agree with Mr. Mallan that the Soviets are incapable
of making air-to-air missiles; however, we as yet have no evidence
that they are in operational use.
11. The Soviets, as Mr. Mallan states, have no bomber comparable
to the B-58 Hustler. The "Bounder, " which was first seen in August
1958, is considered to be a prototype of an aircraft which may be
comparable to the B-58.
12. Mr. Mallan is correct in stating that the Tu-4 bomber is a
"bolt-for-bolt" copy of the B-29, although obsolete as a Soviet bomber,
some 400 Tu-4?s are still performing useful work in training, as
cargo and passenger carriers, etc. His description of the Soviet
Bison and Bear heavy bombers is also reasonably correct. His
allegation that the Tu-114 turboprop transport design has been
converted to a turbojet bomber is, however, unsubstantiated by
intelligence and would seem very unlikely.
13. The picture of Soviet Civil Aviation presented by Mr. Mallan
has a considerable element of truth. In the past, Soviet transport
aircraft have lagged far behind those of the West. Despite a deter-
mined effort to devel4nodern transport aircraft and associated
airline equipment, the results achieved to date have not been noteworthy.
The Tu-104 is a very inefficient jet transport. The AN-10 and IL-18
turboprop transports are scheduled to go into operation this summer.
They appear not yet to be quite up to Western standards for economy
and efficiency of operation. The Tu-114 large turboprop and the
Tu-110 four turbojet transports have not yet reached operational status.
14. Soviet aircraft engines are designed for a shorter overhaul
life than those in the U. S., as Mr. Mallan states. This gives the
Soviets a decided handicap in their transport aircraft, and is one
of the principal contributors to their low efficiency in airline
operations.
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15. We agree with Mr. Mallan that the USSR has not developed a
nuclear propelled aircraft.
16. We disagree completely with Mr. Mallants allegation that
the Soviets lack electronics skills and are neither clever nor
experienced with radar. Based on the known quality and quantity of
their operational ground radars, the USSR now has an excellent air
defense system. Large antenna structures and high performance radars
for their air defense system have been confirmed by sightings.
17. Mr. Mallan is in error also when he mentions their lack of
ability in miniaturizing electronic components. Detailed examination
of ..-nurnerous components by Western scientists has led us to conclude
that Soviet miniaturization is very good.
18. The ICBM and Space statements are a promulgation of Mr.
Mallan?s theory set forth in Part I of "The Big Red Lie"; these were
evaluated by separate memorandum, a copy of which is appended hereto
as Tab A.
19. Mr. Mallan's statements and inferences in both Parts I and
II which deal with ICBMs, Lunik, Space, and guided missiles in
general, cannot be supported by facts. As a matter of fact there is
firm intelligence which disproves the majority of his statements.
Much of Mr. Mallanos basis for negating Soviet missile capabilities
lies in his belief that the Russians have little mastery of miniaturization
necessary for developing effective guided missiles. This subject has
been dealt with above.
20. Mr. Mallanss theory that because he did not see missiles the
Soviets do not possess missiles is too naive to warrant separate
discussion. The Soviets are known to be engaged in an extensive guided
missile research and development program encompassing advanced guided
missile systems in all major categories.
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