DEMONSTRATION OF CAPTIVE BALLOON SYSTEM (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03642A001300030065-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 2, 2012
• Sequence Number: 65
• Publication Date: November 12, 1958
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-R
0 CONFIDENTIAL IF
12 November 1958
MOORA11DF1M FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Demonstration of Captive Balloon system
1. On 29 October the undersigned visited
demonstration of a captive balloon system F
DOD -(t.~ DXY DATE
OUD DPI
The
object of the captive balloon work was to deposit a payload at a specified 25X1
target that is behind a typical border situation.
2. The system used involved four "pillow,"c"balloons, 500 yards of
300 lb. test nylon line on a reel, mechanical line cutter, radio switch,
simulated payload and a weighted " rope". The operation is done as
follows three pillow balloons lift the payload and drag rope, the line
to one of these balloons is passed through a mechanical cutter; then it
is out off the two remsining balloons have enough lift to carry the. pay-.
lead but not all of the drag rope. The fourth pillow balloon is
tied to the line about 150 yards from the payload. The payload is secured
to *a reeled line. It is released and rises pulling the line off the
reel at?a rapid pace. The second balloon is attached then about 150 yards
have, payed out after one minute the mechanical cutter cuts off one pillow
balloon from the payload. The system, then about 4-500 yards away, descends
until the drag rope is on the ground and neutral buoyancy is attained. The
fourth pillow balloon that is attached to the line is still high in the
air and pulls the thole system along until the target is reached. The readio
switch is used to out off the payload. The system is then light and rises
into the air to'be reeled back in.
3. The demonstration was conducted jointly by OTR/Air Branch personnel
and TSS/ED. It was the understanding that the system was to be employed over
a range of "at least" 1000 s. After the demonstration, which was
successfully accomplished, E7rd stated that the range of 25X1
minimum interest was one mile. Further discussion of the merits of the
system was reserved until a later date.
CONFIDEN11At
25X1
25X1
to conduct a field 25X1
BY.
TYPE
DRID C
-G---
O RID CLASS PfrOE S _, L _r_ 1EY cuts
JUST - II&XT AEY o.QI6 AUT1h NR *1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300030065-3