MEMORANDUM TO THE PRESIDENT FROM W. F. RABORN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85B00803R000200020014-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 23, 2003
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: August 20, 1965
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 200410/J? C BAW5B00803R000200020014-6
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Copy
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
On 14 August 1965, an A-12 aircraft flew nonstop from
)
to Orlando, Florida, back to the Test
bite , en to Kansas City and return to its base. The flight was
accomplished exactly as planned, simulating an operational mission
with two air refuelings and three cruise legs. On each leg of the
mission the aircraft cruised at its designed operational speed of
Mach 3. 1 at altitudes between 80, 000 and 90, 000 feet. The flight
covered a total distance of 6500 nautical miles in 5 hours and 27
minutes, including air refueling times. A total time of 2 hours and
20 minutes was flown at cruise speed of Mach 3. 1. The aircraft
landed in excellent condition with only three minor malfunctions.
The significant aspects of this flight are:
1. There were no air-flow disturbance conditions en-
countered in the engine air inlets--not even minor roughness.
(This is the classic problem that plagues supersonic speed
turbojet aircraft).
2. There were no electrical system problems.
3. There were no heat problems to the aircraft engines,
or pilot due to the prolonged high speed, high temperature flight.
4. This flight is an important milestone and increases our
confidence that we should have a reliable, operational aircraft in
near future. (3 to 6 months for further validation. )
J.6i3red), W. F. Ral'ortl.
W. F. RABORN
Approved For Release 2004/06/29: CIA-RQP8~" 31 000200020
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