FLYING SAUCERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81R00560R000100020011-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 12, 2001
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: October 13, 1952
• Content Type: MF

SECRET
Approved For R~se 2001/04/~;,;,~~,~;,.~~81 RO~OR0001000
13 October 1952
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director (Intelligence)
SUBJECT: Flying Saucers
1. Flying unidentified objects (Flying Saucers) have been the
subject of Air Force observation and analysis because of the possibility
that such objects might conceivably be an attack on the U.S. If they
are not, it is conceivable that the enemy might take advantage of the
confusion created by the Flying Saucers to use at his convenience
some air weapon against the United States.
2. Thus far'Defense Department conducted research in this area
has been confined to the effort by A-2 through ATIC with the result that
an explanation has been provided on all but 20 per cent of the total
1500 reported sightings of Flying Saucers.
3. Determination of the scientific capabilities of the USSR to
create and control Flying Saucers as a weapon against the United States
is a primary concern of the CIA~OSI. l is review of existing information
does not lead to the conclusion that the saucers are USSR created or
controlled. It is the view of OSI that collection of intelligence
information on the capabilities of the USSR to produce, launch, and
control Flying Saucers and the analysis of such data as might be collected
cannot be very effective until there is adequate fundamental scientific
research launched to clarify the nature and causes of Flying Saucers and
to devise means whereby they might be instantly identified.
~+. The major scientific intelligence problems in respect to Saucers
a. What is the present level of Soviet knowledge regarding
these phenomena?
b. What are possible Soviet capabilities to utilize these
phenomena to the detriment of US security interests?
c. What effect do flying saucers have on our warning
system.
Approved For Release 2001/04/02~p~C'.~A~~ ~~mP81 R00560R000100020011-8
 ~-Approved For Release 2001 /04/02 : C,I,~-~I,Kt! 1 R00560R000100020011-8
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5. Conclusions:
a. The instigation of fundamental scientific research i$
the primary responsibility of the Defense Department.
b. The DCI~~should dispatch to Secretary Lovett'talong the
lines of the attached. The cover sheet explaining to the IAC
why the roposed letter i submitt d is also attached((N~e, ~.p...ti..4,rQ ~.-?+.
c. It is fax too early in view of the present state of our
knowledge regarding Flying Saucers for psychological warfare
planners to start planning how the United States might use U.S.
Flying Saucers against the enemy.
d. When intelligence has submitted the National Estimate on
Flying Saucers there will be the time and basis for a public policy
to reduce or restrain mass hysteria.
25X1A
S ~. REBEft
start Director
Secur;t?- '
Approved For Release 2001/04/02 :CIA-RDP81 R00560R000100020011-8
 IA-RDP81 F~560
STATINTL
 ease ~ -
.rIED RESTRICTED ~ CONFIDENTIAL ~ SECRET
~ (SENDER WILL CIRCLE CLASSIFICATION TOP AND BOTTOM)' _.....
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
Deputy Director~Intel7.igence
Assistant l}irector~SI
APPROVAL ~ INFORMATION ~ SIGNATURE
DIRECT REPLY ~ RETURN
ACTION
COMMENT ~ PREPARATION OF REPLY ~ DISPATCH
CONCURRENCE ~ RECOMMENDATION ~ FILE
REMARKS: 25X1 A
~,,~~e~,,,~" t
1. - ~,
FORM 30-~
SEP. 1947
T1AL _ _ _ RESTRICTED- -UNCLASSIFIED