THE DIRECTION OF BALLOON R&D DURING THE PERIOD 1955-1958

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03642A001300030060-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 2, 2012
• Sequence Number: 60
• Publication Date: August 12, 1958
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300030060-8
tAUt% fIULIY 3 1n1. w
12 August 1958
SUBJDCT: The Direction of Balloon R&D During the Period 1955-1958
1. Research and development in support of ~ type balloon 25X1
operations has been directed primarily to expand the operational capability
of operations by providing new equipment. The shroud launching device allows
greater freedom of choice of surface wind conditions for launching. The step
out systems was provided with drogue parachute and actor tic ballaster to
insure that the infiltrator would not have to bury his equipment. High
altitude flights were made and data recorded to enable personnel flights to go
to altitudes as high as 30,000 feet. A small aircraft was carried by a balloon
and released demonstrating the feasibility of thus expanding the range of the
aircraft for exfiltration work. A small portable hydrogen generator has been
the object of a considerable Research and Development effort and a full scale
prototype has been successfully demonstrated. This generator equipment weighing
approximately 250 ponds will replace approximately 3125 pounds of hi& pressure gas
cylinders and makes dzfiltration by balloon possible. The Hot Air balloon is in
the prototype stage and it also eliminates the need for heavy inflation equipment
and is directed towards the requirements of an exfiltration vehicle. A silent
diffuser has been made that quiets the high frequency "scream" associated with
the escape of high pressure gas through the inflation systems.
The success of these efforts regretably, cannot be measured directly
by an increase in scope of balloon operations but it can be stated that the
potential for expanded operations is greater.:.
CONFIDENTIAL
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300030060-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300030060-8
CONFIDENTIRL
2. Leafleting by balloon has been supported by R&D efforts that
have been primarily directed towards increasing the efficiency of this
operation and providing a clearer understanding of what can be expected in
terms of accuracy of targeting and equipment performance. The leaflet
balloon idea expanded rapidly from a toy balloon concept to a major undertaking
involving tons of leaflets per mouth and thousands and thousands of mstecrobgiaal
balloons adapted as leaflet carriers. It was the basic premise of the PAD went
that the uecbanics of the system had not in any way kept pace with the expanded
scope of operations. This was true from the standpoint of balloon performance,
balloon inflation equipment, associated tine delay and ballast equipment. PAD
efforts were directed toward improving the whole Ramat of operational equipment
including the knowledge of ;leaflet behavior after release. This wort resulted
in a new tine delay and ballast system, a larger instrumented, long-range leaflet
carrying balloon, a new set of tables for leaflet aerodynamics, and special
ground inflation equipment for support of a specific leafleting operation. A
Mobile hydrogen generating plant has been test proven for support of this volt
if needed and aid was given in the production of a film to counteract Soviet
propaganda on the alleged hazard to air safety of balloons.
To aid in the utilization of new equipment a project engineer
of TSS/ZD journeyed to operational sites
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purpose of demonstrating new equipment to the user and to gain first band knowledge
of operational problems. After incorporating a now external leaflet loading
device into their operational system that utilizes neoprene meteorological balloons
operators reported that the percentage of pre-bursts of the balloon had
been reduced from 22.5% to 1.5%. 25X1
amt
File: Balloon, General
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300030060-8