LETTER TO BUD FROM SPURGEON KEENY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001700140002-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 30, 2004
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: December 5, 1963
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved.F--or Release 2004/08/30: CIA-RDP80BO1676R001700140002-9
Dcl
December 5, 1963
Bind,
Attached for your information is an official
copy of the latest draft of the press release
which we prepared earlier this week. I have
also forwarded a copy of the draft to Gene
Fttbini for his comments and have informed
him that it is acceptable to CIA with the
exception of the next to last paragraph which
Mr. McCone wants deleted in its entirety.
Spurgeon Keeny
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5 0p?O AND BOTTOM
UNCLASSIFIED C- F DE IAL SECRET
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
TO
NAME AND ADDRESS
DATE
INITIALS
1
Mr. Knoche, O/DDCI
2
3
4
5
6
ACTION
DIRECT REPLY
PREPARE REPLY
APPROVAL
DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATION
COMMENT
FILE
RETURN
CONCURRENCE
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks :
1 - G .L ~r'CCz' -4 L' ZC .
1~ Ind
FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER
FROM: NAME. ADDRESS AND PHONE NO.
DATE
DD/S&T 20
Jan 64
-UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL
SECRET
FORM 6NO. 237 Use previous editions
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COPY
DRAFT
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27 November S
ILLEGIB
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WHITE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
The United States has successfully flown an advanced jet
aircraft, the X in sustaifed flight at more than three times
the speed of sound. The performance of the X
which was
developed by the Central Intelligence Agency to improve our
reconnaissance capabilities, far exceeds that of any other
aircraft in the world today. The development of this aircraft
has been made possible by major advances in aircraft technology
of great significance for both military and civilian applications.
The existence of this program is being disclosed at this time
to permit the orderly exploitation of this advanced technology
in other military and civilian programs. A public fly-by of
the X is scheduled for at Edwards Air
Force Base.
In furtherance of its responsibility for the collection of
intelligence information, the Central Intelligence Agency in
1959 initiated a program to develop new aircraft that would
be capable of sustained flight at three times the speed of
sound at high altitude. The project has been vigorously
supported by both the previous and the present Administrations.
Appropriate members of the Senate and House have been kept fully
informed on this program since its inception.
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Retyped 20 Jan. 64 with minor chang by Dr. Wheelon
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The flight test program, which began in the spring of 1962,
has now culminated in a series of highly successful flights.. The
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation of Burbank, California, is the
manufacturer of the aircraft and the Project Engineer is
Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson. The aircraft engine, the J-58,
was designed and Wilt by the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Division
of the United Aircraft Corporation.
An the program progressed, it became increasingly apparent
that this aircraft, capable of high speed, high altitude, and
long-range performance constituted a technical accomplishment
that would permit the achievement of a number of important
military requirements much sooner than had originally been
expected. Applications of possible military interest included
military reconnaissance and long range interception of enemy
aircraft. The DOD has a current program aimed at the develop-
ment and procurement of aircraft of the type for military
reconnaissance purposes and is studying other applications.
The development of a supersonic commercial transport
aircraft will also be greatly assisted by the lessons learned
from the X _program. For example, one of the important
technical achievements of this project has been a major
advance in the difficult problem of the metallurgy and
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utilization of titanium metal which in required for the high
temperatures experienced by aircraft travelling at three times
the speed of sound. Arrangements are being made to make this
and other important technical developments, under appropriate
safeguard, available to all contractors who are bidding on the
Supersonic Transport Program.
/The X has not been used to perform reconnaissance over
foreign territory. It does provide a substantial improvement
in our capability to conduct legitimate missions in the national
security interest of the United States if this should be necessary.
(The use of this aircraft will be subject to the same controls
as other reconnaissance aircraft.)-/
In view of the importance of these developments to our
national security, the detailed performance of the X _ will.
remain strictly classified and all individuals associated with
the program have been directed to refrain from making any further
-c'
public disclosures.
U)
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