RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM (U)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00159R000100150022-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 17, 2006
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: August 14, 1968
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2006/11/06: CIA-RDP75B00159R000100150022-1
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Approved For Release 2006/11/06: CIA-RDP75B00159R000100150022-1
 Approved For ReJise 2006, _: G I"! OO159F }100150022-1
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301
14 August 1968
MEMORANDUM FOR Secretary of the, Air Force
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Director of Defense Research and Engineering
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Administration)
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Systems Analysis)
Director, National Reconnaissance Office
Director, Defense Intelligence Agency
SUBJECT: Reconnaissance Program (U)
Prior to making definitive FY 69 program/budget decisions or
FY 70 program/budget decisions related to the drone program (e.g.
TAGBOARD, 154, 147) and the U-2/SR-71 program, I should like to
see a joint assessment which incorporates your respective views on
these programs which I consider should be treated as a totality. I
plan to use the-assessment as a basic reference in making final deci-
sions involving the Department of Defense reconnaissance activities
and related EXCOM rnatter.s.
If. appropriate, :the. assessment. should include alternatives to the
currently approved drone and U-2./SR-71 programs together with the
.impact of such alt:erna i~s on other elements of our over-.all recon-
.naissance effort. -Points of agreement-and disagreement should be
set forth clearly, as well as any differing rationale.
I request the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Administration)
to establish a group chaired by a representative of his office and
composed opresentatives of each of the other addressees of this
memorandum to complete the assessment by 1 November 1968.
Please provide him with such other assistance as he may require.
NRO, DIA & USAF REVIEWS
Copies to:
Director of Central Intelligence
25X1 ------Director, Bureau of the Budget
Director, Office of Science and Technology
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 pproved For Release 2006/11/06: CIA-RDP75B001 J9R0001001
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Office of the DD/SST
TO: D/OSA
Your people should be aware of the
study outlined in the attached paper.
You will note that U-2's are mentioned
but it is not clear whether this is
to be restricted to SAC aircraft
or is to also include IDEALIST. I
discussed this with Adm. Taylor and
you will note that his comments were
that we should not plan any dire
participation unless requested.
of Mr. Bross' staff will si
an observer and provide us some
feed back as the study progresses.
I see nothing required of us at this
time but we will obviously be interested
in the results and any proposed actioes
25X1 ~Q VY
 ,approved For Release 2006/11/06: CIA-RDP75B00159R000100150022
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DATE
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DDS&T
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CONCURRENCE
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks: Please note DDCI's handwritten comment:
"I think we should make no effort to get
in on this in the study stage unless asked.
"I think we should rely on Deputy SecDef
to seek our comment when appropriate. He
knows our interests. "
/s/ T
25X1
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