D/NRO MEMORANDA RELATING TO SR-71/OXCART

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89B00980R000600060023-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 17, 2006
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: September 26, 1967
• Content Type: MF

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MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: D/NRO Memoranda relating to SR-71/OXCART
REFERENCE:
(a) D/NRO Memo "SR-71/A-12 Comparison",
dated 23 September 1967, ?
(b) D/NRO Memo "SR-71 Category III Tests",
dated 25 September 1967,
1. This memorandum is for your information only.
2. Referenced memoranda, copies attached, were received from
the D/NRO, 25 September. These reports were sent to ExCom members
as a result of a requirement for them levied on the D/NRO at the last
ExCom meeting.
3. Though a detailed analysis has not yet been made of reference
(a), "SR-71/A-12 Comparison", the following comments or observations
are noted:
a. The basic capabilities of SR-71/A-12 aircraft are treated
reasonably fairly with a 2,000-5,000 feet higher altitude advantage
acknowledged for the OXCART A-12 aircraft. Also whereas the
A-12 flies at Mach 3.1, the SR-71's current operational limitation
is Mach 3.0 'due to tank sealant problems.
b. The Narrative Comments about sensors state that photographic
sensors are the primary sensors applicable to the problem of
surveillance of North Vietnam for surface-to-surface missiles.
Further, that both SR-71 and A-12 sensor systems are adequate for
this task. One surprise to us, noted in the memorandum, indicates
Declassification Review by NGA
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c. Though attention is not specifically drawn to the following:
a comparison of photographic sensor capabilities indicates that the
A-12 camera, with a 63 n.m. width, provides about twice the cover-
age of the combined SR-71 photographic sensors. As a result about
two missions would be required to acquire generally the same area
.ground coverage as a single A-12 mission, but with somewhat lower
SR-71 camera resolutions than provided by the single A-12 high
resolution camera.
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4. Regarding reference (1?), current status of SR-71 Category III tests:
a. The D/NRO forwarded four summary pages of SAC data and
SAC analysis without any D/NRO assessment or significant comment
about the information. In view of the sparse nature of the information,
it is hoped that additional amplifying data will be forthcoming at the
next ExCom. meeting. The D/NRO notes that SAC will publish a final
report on SR-71 Category III tests within sixty days after completion
of the test program.
b. A cursory examination of data indicates that SAC has flown at
Mach 3.0, in an eleven week period of Category III flight test, forty-five
two-leg sorties, with fifteen aborts; twenty 2 1/2-leg sorties with five
aborts; six three-leg sorties with one abort; and eleven four-leg sorties
with four aborts. In view of no significant amplifying information avail-
able, it is difficult to assess this effort. However, of the 82 SR-71
flights, 25 of them resulted in aborts, for an airborne reliability of
70%. By extrapolation of data, SAC postulates 85% effectiveness numbers.
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The Category HI test summary, while offering interesting numbers,
if; 411 ()lig h ifl (I e tail to afford a basis for proper judgm(mt
as to the reliaIn lily of the SR-7 I nytt Lein. Data is provided regarding
numbe rs of sorties flown with two, three and four Mach 3.0 legs but
is not presented in such a manner as to make determination of specific
results possible. Of significant note, however, is that in the 11th
week of the test, eight sorties scheduled for four Mach 3.0 legs
became airborne and four air-aborted, a 50% effectivene55 percentile.
Germane to this effectiveness is that a minimum of four high speed
legs are required for Mach 3. 0 non-stop deployment to Kadena Air Base..
c. To properly assess the Category III test results, exact detail
regarding the following items during the test would be required:
The report lists only results of airborne sorties.
Necessary would be a complete documentation of the number of
sorties scheduled versus airborne and the number of airborne
sorties successful as scheduled (to include individual system
success).
d. Reports on SR-71 sensor performance would seem to
indicate that equipment operation was quite good on sorties reported
(about 1/3 of all sorties flown.) but that resolution was down from
previously advertised numbers. Average resolutions of primary
camera systems reported:
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The report on the numbers of sensors successful does not
indicate that sensors were flown on each sortie, or that any of the
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listed sorties was flown in the total weapons system configuration
planned for North Vietnam and the individual systems success on
the sortie.
5. To provide you detailed analysis of the SR-71 systems reliability,
a greatly more detailed report of the testing and the control criteria
would necessarily have to be made available to :this Office for review.
CARL E: DUCKETT
Deputy Director
for
Science and Technology
Attachments:
As Noted
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SIGNATURE RECOMMENDED:
Acting Director of Special Activities
DD/SA
Distribution:
1 - DCI w/att
- ER via DCI
3 - DDCI w/att
4 - DDS&T w/att
5 - DDS&T Reg
6 - DDS&T Reg
7 - DD/SA
8 - DD/SA
9 - RB/OSA
26 Sept 67)
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