USE OF HIGH ALTITUDE AIRCRAFT FOR INTERNATIONAL EARTH SURVEY MISSIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00159R000200210035-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 3, 2004
• Sequence Number: 35
• Publication Date: December 11, 1970
• Content Type: MF

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111111s 11'III'I'l;? 11OUSI,
December 11, 1970
MEMOP\\ANDUM FOR
Dr. Henry A. Kissint;cr
Assistant to the President for National. Security Affairs
Subject: Use of I-Iigh Altitude Aircraft for International Earth Survey
Missions
Use of U-ZC and RB57F aircraft has been proposed for earth survey
missions on an operational basis within the United States and possibly
internationally, with U. S. sponsorship. Although the node of operation
has not been definitely fixed, it appears that the aircraft would be managed
by a "lead" agency, such as the Department of the Interior, and operated
by USAF crews in an?arrangement similar to that presently in effect for
NASA use of these aircraft.
The operation of these high altitude aircraft internationally for the
collection of photographic data for civil use raises a number of questions
that appear to be appropriate for review by your office, and particularly
by the 1140 Committee, " before such a program can be implemented. In
particular, it would be important to obtain a clear policy decision concern-
ing civil use of these aircraft internationally and the conditions under which
such use could be considered.
Attachment A is a more detailed outline of the background and content of the
proposed high altitude aircraft program. Dr. Russell Drew of my staff
will be available to discuss additional program details.
Edward E. David, Jr.
Science Adviser
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A7."1'AC;1J1v11;`7'1.' A
CI-IARACT1:R.IS'i'ICS OIF A IJTCIT A1.TITUD.T OPERA'J'JONAL, EARTH
OBSERVATION'S PROCaIt. M
t
U-2 and RB57F aircraft, anticipated to become available from DOD
and capable of flying at altitudes of 60 - 70 thousand feet, provide an
opportunity for extension of aircraft earth survey operations into this
new high altitude regime. Interest in earth survey data`is increasing
both within the United States and internationally, and NASA has been
pursuing an experimental satellite program and a research program
utilizing these high altitude platforms as well as a number of others
at low altitudes. With anticipated availability of a number of
additional RB57r, and U-2 aircraft from the DOD inventory, examina-
tion of their use in an operational mode for civil mapping, resource
surveys, crop evaluation, ' land use planning and numerous. other
purposes, including similar use in other countries on a cost-reimburs-
able basis, appeared attractive enough to warrant additional study.
The following information has been developed on this subject.
TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY
The United States has accumulated extensive experience with both the
U-2 and the R1357F, operating within the United States and abroad.
loth aircraft are r.el.iaa.ble, suitable for a variety of sensors, and
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possess'the necessary characteristics for an effective earth
survey platform. The U-2 is single-piloted, while the RB57F
.carries a crew of two, one of whom could. be a representative of
the host government in areas where political sensitivities may
require- such action. ? Both aircraft require extensive logistics
support at deployed locations, typically a single heavy logistics
transport load, including special fuel, AGE, and environmental
conditioning equipment. The U-2 can be operated from any airfield
with reasonable surfacing and a minimum of about 6, 000 feet length --
or, in general, any field capable of supporting comirierc`ial air
The RB57F, while it can operate from
similar fields, has an unusually wide wing span (122 feet) and wing
tips that droop to within 18 inches of the ground. Therefore, for
continued operations, it should be operated at fields with level
runways wider than 150 feet (typical standard runway width), which
will limit somewhat its flexibility for overseas use. Operational
range of the RB57F is 2, 400 miles, while typical maximum
operating radius from a single base is 1, 000. miles.
Cost of operation for each aircraft will vary, depending upon
the mode of operation that is employed. As outlined in Attachment B,
there are at least three basic options for operation of the aircraft.
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Option I appears attractive for this program'and would include
USAF operation, maintenance and logistics support similar to
the present arrangement with NASA for operation of the research
aircraft complement. It may be ;possible to achieve savings in
program costs by conducting both the operational and research
aircraft programs from the same site.. In this mode of operation,
U-2 costs have been estimated at $200 - $400/flight hour, while
RB57F costs would be 3 - 4 times higher. Cost estimates for
mapping the United States utilizing the RB57F.. under similar
,
conditions indicate that photography could be obtainet1 at about $1
per square mile -- a factor of 3 or 4 less than present costs for
commercial aerial photography. It is clear, however, that
additional cost data must be developed before accurate comparisons
can be made between the two aircraft.
Use of the data for a variety of purposes can be anticipated.
Mapping, however, is the principal verifiable short-term operational
use to which these resources can be committed. Other uses can be
envisioned, including geological surveys, water or other natural
.resource monitoring, crop survey,. environmental and pollution
monitoring. Many of these applications can be carried out in an
ad hoc fashion in specific locations, but the majority of such earth
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sensing activity would depend upon initial demn.onstration of
capability, probably by the NSA research aircraft, and construction
of a program to translate the proper collected data through a system
for processing, analyzing, cataloging and storing the data and
disseminating the data in a timely way to users for appropriate
action. It is this latter post-collection phase that is least understood
and which requires extensive further development. These portions
of earth survey activity within the United States are poorly developed
and therefore extension of this aircraft program to overseas locations
should not be attempted before careful preparation and initial operational
experience within the United States has been completed. Premature
,announcement of such a program could be a source of embarrassment
to the United States if we are unable to achieve results that are
"comparable to our initial commitments. The mapping program
.appears to provide' a framework within which other objectives can be
explored, and appears to be the only demonstrated capability of
universal interest that satisfies this criterion.
At present, the United States has in force cooperative mapping
agreements with over 40 foreign governments, plus map exchange--
agreements with a number of additional countries. These agreements
have established a precedent for mutual programming, sharing of.
work and end products, operation of ground :survey teams in country
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concerned. With r.cstrictions upon DOD operations in this area
because of funding limitations, it may be possible to transfer to
this operational aircraft program for provision of a similar service,
with the host country funding the cost of expendables such as film,
fuel, processing costs and travel costs for crew and maintenance'
personnel. Guaranteed cost per flight hour would be a necessary
component of such an arrangement.
Experience with mapping agreements had demonstrated that many
foreign governments are willing to permit U. S. aircraft to photograph
portions of their country, provided data collection is in accordance
with a mutually agreed program, with clearly identifiable end products
of value to the host country. Concern over use of the U-2 in this role
is likely, particularly in view of recent reactions to potential use o
the U-2 in the Middle East. ILLEG
For this reason, although the U-2 is a perfectly acccptabl
platform technically -- and undoubtedly should be used in the United
States -- use in overseas locations should be approached very care-
.
fully. Review by appropriate committees within the NSC structure
should be.carried out before such use is promoted with foreign
governments.
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To ensure that aircraft used for earth surveys do not stray
into forbidden areas, it will be necessary to provide adequate
on-board navigation capability. The U-2 is already equipped with
an adequate system, while the RB57F would require additional ILLEGIB
equipment costing about $200, 000 per aircraft. The RB57F would,
however, permit foreign nationals to ride as observers should
political sensitivities require such action,
GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION
Several agencies could act as the executive agent for such a program.
The breadth of interest in earth surveys can be gauged by participation
in planning for the ERTS program and existing programs involving use
of aircraft for earth resources activity. Lead agency responsibility
for a possible operational earth survey satellite system to follow
ERTS has not yet been defined. NASA has played the lead role in
developing the technology, defining the collection system and exploring
the use of this data in a number of applications. The users -- principally
Interior; Commerce and Agriculture -- have been carrying out similar
pre-operational experiments and, in 'the case of Interior, have plan'ned
for an operational data handling and distribution role (Sioux Falls).
Interior also has experience in processing high altitude photography
into.a useful end product -- in this case, reap sheets.
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The basic alternatives for management of the aircraft program
resources to include additional aircraft devoted to an
arc:
(1) Extend NASA management of existing similar aircraft
which could provide the core effort around which the broader
r
operational aircraft program could be constructed and for
this reason appears to be the more desirable of the two agencies
for a lead role. This may appear to prejudice the decision on
lead responsibility for possible operational ERS satellite
programs, but'it would not foreclose an independent decision
on management of the space segment.
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operational role. (This would require modification of the
limitations on NASA management of operational programs.)
(2) ? Assign management responsibility to a lead agency, preferably
Interior or Commerce. The designated agency should be
prepared to service other agency requests for data collection,
as well as"requests from State or regional authorities. Data
would be supplied at cost, and it is possible that other Federal
funds could support, in part, State and local collection efforts.
The Department of the Interior has a stated requirement for
mapping of the United States, using high altitude photography,
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FUNDINCr
Assuming the need to begin such an operational aircraft program
with a viable domestic component, additional funds will be required
under either of the two alternative management approaches outlined
above. It appears that the program would optimally include both
types of aircraft, the U-2 and the RF57F, providing flexibility in
payload configuration and in operational characteristics to respond
to either technical or political constraints. Conversion of the U-2 to
since very little aircraft modification is likely to be necessary (about
earth survey use would depend upon cost of the sensor employed, ILLEG
$35, 000 per aircraft for hatch modifications). Additional costs vvr
For the RB57F (8 of which are likely to be available on long-term`
be incurred in restoring the U-2 aircraft to full flyable status from
the present storage configuration.
loan, if needed) no significant costs would be involved to restore the"
aircraft to' flyable status, but it is likely that an externally mounted
pod would be Iequired to carry the sensor payload. NASA has
developed such a pod, which is estimated to cost about $1 million per
aircraft. In addition, the RB57F requires an improved navigation
system costing about $2.00, 000 per.aircraft, and either aircraft wil
require additional cameras beyond the existing inventory. Thus
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potential additional costs associated with data processing and
I
distribution. Early and more precise definition of these costs
should be a part of the detailed agency planning requested for this
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