DEAR CHARLEY:

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP67B00511R000100140023-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 23, 2002
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: March 26, 1962
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Rose 2002/10/16: CIA-RDP67B0051119 10014"e- _3 2 s 7
C y 1 ?-& Z
March 26, 1962
Dear Charley:
Re : "Red Dot" Testing
As you are aware Hqs. has approved the resumption of "Red
Dot" testing subject to availability of aircraft and operational
requirements. Tests still to come are to evaluate color films, new
emulsions, the horizon-filter problem, the impact of scale on the
informational content of various emulsions, etc.
In addition, Hqs. has also authorized the continuation of
testing of the prototype "0" configuration while awaiting the avail-
ability of the final vehicle. Such testing is not only for the pur-
pose of wringing out the configuration but of proving its reliability
and performance with the view to the operational use this summer of
the prototype "0" in the Idealist vehicle.
Also authorized is testing of our version of the P-E V/H
Normally the Red Dot tests would be performed at EAFB in
conjunction with Det. G. The last series of "0" tests were based
at Burbank and there has been a tentative decision to continue from
this location.
The economics of combining these two (three, including
V/H) groups of tests should be obvious both in terms of manpower
and vehicle utilization. The facility at Burbank is not designed
to accommodate tests of this nature from either space or cleanliness
points of view. At the time of our last tests we were put to some
.considerable expense to completely tear down the configuration for
cleaning due to the dirt problem and some, at least, of our failures
are directly traceable to dirt. There are no film processing capa-
bilities there.
Two other locations might logically be considered ac-
ceptable for combining both groups of tests. EAFB would offer the
advantage of a facility in being complete with a processing capa-
bility. Aircraft based here would have the greatest flexibility of
use in connection with these tests, other testing, pilot training,
operational assignments, etc. With the limited number of vehicles
available, this should be considered an important aspect. One
disadvantage would be that Hycon personnel and any others not
directly concerned would have to leave the base during the "0" tests.
But these need not be advertised as "Oct tests but rather an augmen-
tation of the Red Dot tests.
Approved For Release 2002/10/16 : CIA-RDP67B00511 R000100140023-1
 Approved For Rose 2002/10/16: CIA-RDP67B00511 100140023-1
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The second possible location is Both Red Dot 25X1A
and "0" tests could be conducted here. As a matter of fact, it
would be possible to conduct much of the Red Dot tests in the "0"
configuration given warning enough to obtain the correct width of
film. All of the facilities are present and we have a processing
crew on site who are only spasmodically occupied at present. Hangar
space exists and the Idea vehicle could logically be used as an
observation vehicle for the "0" vehicle test flights. There is an
obvious objection in that the presence of both these vehicles might
cause speculation, but it does seem logical that the best available
observation platform should be used.
My own choice would be but if we fail to sell 25X1A
this idea, I think we have strong arguments toward operating from
EAFB for all tests. All of our people are I cleared or can be on
short notice and even the stopping for operational missions would
cost much because there will always be a need for tuning up, data
evaluation, etc.
We will be ready to ship equipment to whatever test site
selected by 15 April.
ELG/MDG
Orig. & 1 cc - C.F.H.
cc: W.R.E.
J.A.0.
Approved For Release 2002/10/16 : CIA-RDP67B00511 R000100140023-1
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With a note from me, copies have been sent to
SPB and Security. Knowing problem
25
aircraft allocations I fee that we should take
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o permit these tests to be run out of
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In this manner, we can combine the n0"
lied Dot and undoubtedly save Uncle Sam some
dollars.
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