PFIAB SUBMISSION FOR 30 JUNE 1968 OXCART

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000400400013-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 14, 2001
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: June 30, 1968
• Content Type: REPORT

Approvor Releas1~'IL1~1~,ICIA-RDP33415A000400400013-8
NRO DECLASSIFICATION/RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS ON FILE
NRO
Attachment to
X072-68 25X1A
PFIAB Submission for 30 June 1968
- OXCART
1. The 29 December 1966 decision to terminate the OXCART
program was re-affirmed on 21 May 1968. Termination of the
program slipped from 31 December 196? to 30 June 1968 to allow
the SR-71 sufficient time to assume Southeast Asia xecon-
naissance vice the OXCART/BLACK SHIELD operation. The A-12
aircraft at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, were re-deployed to the
States in June 1968. OXCART facilities at Kadena were turned
over to the USAF for use by the SR-71 detachment.
2. Storage of OXCART aircraft at Palmdale, California,
was completed on 21 June 1968. These include two test aircraft,
one trainer and five operational aircraft. Installed and
ground equipments, with appropriate spares, were retained to
support the stored aircraft. Sufficient spare parts and
supplies were retained to support a 90 day level of activity
for five operational aircraft.
N RO 3. Residual OXCART assets common to the SR-71 aircra~Lt
aro being transferred to that program. OXCART peculiar assets
25X1A are being stored at Excess equipments
and supplies have been ma a av her NRO programs.
See Appendix A for an inventory of OXCART systems being placed
in storage.
4. Twenty-five operational missions were flown in the
past twelve months. Twenty were flown over North Vietnam,
two were primarily targeted against Cambodia, and three were
over North Korea. The cameras operated satisfactorily, and
goad to excellent imagery was obtained. Enemy radar tracking
was reported on all but two missions, ranging from brief
reflections of the A-12's presence to extended and accurate
tracking. Surface to air missiles were launched at the A-12
on three missions, without success. See Appendix B for a
summary of the operational missions.
5. The fifth accident in the OXCART program occurred on
4 June 1968 when an aircraft disappeared without trace east of
the Phillippines while on a routine functional check flight
GRO~JP 1
Exslu~ed 1~~~'!n n~itam?Yt
1I~tY:i;.l'-aiu9 1iISi
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Approved For Release ZUD'I/1~T'I~R~fA-RDP33-0241 H~~~ ~O~A
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following an engine change. Cause of the accident was not
determined, although catastrophic engine failuxe was possible
based on analysis of malfunction sensing signals received
immediately preceding the aircraft's disappearance. An in-
tensive sea and air search failed to locate the pilot,
aircraft or any evidence of the accident.
6. During the course of the OXCART program, 2,850
flights were completed for a total of 4,800 flight hours.
There were 1,032 flights (275 during-the past year) which
reached ox exceeded speeds of Mach 3.0 for a total of 675
flight hours (220 during the ast ear) at or above Mach 3.0.
The maximum speed achieved The maximum
altitude achieved was 90,000 feet., The longest single flight
was 7:40 hours. On another flight, 3:50 hours were spent at
or above Mach 3.0. The longest single sustained flight time
at or above Mach 3.2 was 1:14 hours. In the past three years,
Mach 3.0 flights were made an a routine daily basis.
NRO
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A endix A to
.9072-68
OXCART Systems Inventory
-(All OXCART systems are scheduled to be packaged.
and stared by 31 July 1968).
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? OXCART
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., anuur t ~ ~ CONTEt~L SYSTEM
Excluded trim au9umutlc
awn~,rrrr~d~; an
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S
Quantity
y
Sensors
Type I (Pexkin-Elmer) Camera
?
Type II (Eastman Kodak) Camera
2
6
5
10
6
3
Miscellaneous
Inertial Navigation System 1 per aircraft
Stability Augmentation System 1 per .aircraft
1 per aircraft
Life Suppor~ 49 pex aircraft
Engines (YJ and YJ-1)
 t Hii !t i~
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OXCART
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BLACKSHIELD OPERATIONAL SUMMARY
(30 June 196?-30 June 1968)
(A11 missions were flown over North Vietnam except
as noted. The Type I (Perkin-Elmer) camera. was
used on a.ll missions. The Mach numbers and
altitudes shown below represent the maximum attained
during the missions)
1. BX-6708, 13 July 1967. Mission was flown at Mach 3.15
and 82,100 feet for a. duration of 3:40 hours.
Imagery qua.l ity : Good .
2. BX-6709, 19 July 19G7. Mission was flown at Mach 3.1?
and 82,000 feet for a duration of 4:58 hours. Imagery
quality: Excellent.
3. BX-6710, 20 July 1967. Mission was flown at Mach 3.16
and 82,450 feet far a duration of 4:55 hours.
Imagery quality: Good, despite haze problem.
4. BX-6716, 21 August 1967. Mission was flown at Mach 3.2
a.nd 80,000 feet for a duration of 3:55 hours.
Imagery quality: Good to Excellent.
5. BX-6718, 31 August 1967. Mission was flown at Mach 3.20
and 81,000 feet for a duration of 5:12 hours.
Imagery quality: Gaod until camera. malfunctioned.
6. BX-6722, 16 September 1967_., Mission was flown at
Mach 3.15 and 80,000 feet for a dura.tian of 4:01 hours.
Imagery quality: Good.
7. BX-6723, 1? September 1967. Mission wa.s flown at
Mach 3.16 and 81,000 feet for a duration of 4:00
hours. Imagery quality: Excellent.
8. BX-6725, 4 October 1967. Mission was flown at
Mach 3.14 and 81, 000 feet far a duration of 4:09 .hours .
Imagery quality: Excellent.
9. BX-6727, 6 October 1967. Mission wa.s flown at
Mach 3.19 a,nd 81,000 feet for a duration of 2:20 hours.
Imagery quality: Good. Mission wa.s prematurely
terminated due to a.fa.ulty oil pressure indicator.
HANDLE VIA
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10. BX-6728, 15 October 1967.
Mach 3.19 and 81,000 feet
hours. Imagery quality:
11. BX-6729. 18 October 196?.
25X1D Mach and 81,000 feet
25X1 D
Imagery quality: Good.
12. BX-6732, 28 October 1967.
Mach 3.15 and 83,500 feet
hours. Imagery quality:
13. BX-6733 29 October 1967.
Mach a.nd 82, 000 feet
hours. Imagery quality:
14. BX-6734, 30 October 196?.
Mach 3.20 and 85,000 feet
hours. Imagery quality:
Mission wa.s flown at
for a duration of 3:41
Good.
Mission was flown at
for a. duration of 4:01 hours.
Mission wa.s flown at
for a. duration of 3:49
Good.
Mission was flown at
for a duration of 3:56
Goad.
Mission wa.s flown at;
for a. duration of 3:44
Good.
15. BX-673?, 8 December 1967 (Cambodia.). Mission wa.s flown
at Mach 3.20 and 82,500 feet for a duration of 3:59
hours. Imagery quality: Good.
16. BX-6738, 10 December 1967 (Cambodia). Mission was flown
at Mach 3.17 and 81,000 feet for a. duration of 3:51
hours. Imagery quality: Good.
17. BX-6?39, 15 December 196?. Mission was flown at
Mach 3.20 and 86, 000 feet for a. duration of 4:09 hours.
Imagery quality: Good.
18. BX-6740, 16 December 1967. Mission was flown at
Mach 3.20 and 86,200 feet for a duration of 3:56 hours.
Imagery quality: Good.-
19. BX-6842, 4 January 1968. Mission wa.s flown at
Mach 3.20 a.nd 85, 100 feet for a. duration of 3:5? hours.
Imagery quality: Good. .
20. BX-6843, 5 January 1968. Mission was flown at
25X1D Mach _and 86,000 feet for a duration of 4:09 hours.
Imagery quality:, Sa.tisfa.ctory (ha.ze and cloud shadow).
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21. BX-6847, 26 January 1968 (North Korea.). Mission was
flown at Mach 3.20 and 83,500 feet for a duration of
4:00 hours. Imagery quality: Good.
22. BX=6851, 16 February 1968. Mission wa.s~flown at
Mach 3'.20 and 85,600 feet for a duration of 3:54 haurs.
Imagery quality: Good (considerable cloud cover).
23. BX-6853,19 February 1968 (North Korea.). Mission was
flown at Mach 3.20 a.nd 83, 500 feet far a duration of
3:39 hours. Imagery quality: Good.
24. BX-6856, 8 March 1968. Mission was flown at
Mach 3.20 a.nd 85, 500 feet for a. duration of 4:01 hours.
Imagery quality: Goad.
25. BX-6858, 6 May 1968 (North Korea.). Mission wa.s flown
a.t Ma.ch 3.20 a.nd 84, 700 feet far a, duration of 3:30
hours. Imagery quality: Fair due to haze and
scattered clouds.
NRO
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CON ROL
c~x~AR;T
 Approv~ed~,For Releas~~0'~~~`1'CIA-RDP3415A000400400013-8
A hment to
PFIAB Submission for 30 June 1968
IDEALIST
1. U-8C Develapment Summary
a. During Fiscal Year 1968, programs of continued
product improvement were conducted on croeulsionesystem and
electronic countermeasures equipment, p P
airframe on the U-2 aircraft.
b, Following is a list of some of the tests and
development programs which wexe conducted an U-2 aircraft
during Fiscal Year 1968:
25X1A ~1~
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IDEALIST
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2. Operational Summary
a. A total of twelve (12,) U-2 covert reconnaissance
missions were n the fiscal year, ten photo, one
25X1D ELINT and-one hese o erations
25X1A
ere conducted from an
w
25X1A Photograp is coverag of 220 COMIR argets
an Tonal targets was obtained on the photo missions.
b. There was one operational loss of aircraft and
on
i
na,
pilot on mission C297C southwest of Shanghai, Ch
8 September 1967.
c. At present,-there .are 5 U-2C/G aircraft and
? 3. U-2R Development Summary
a. The first U-2R was delivered in August 196?, and
first flight occurred on 28 August 1967, as scheduled. A
total of six aircraft have been delivered through 30 June 1968,
the first two of which have been. engaged in development flight
test. Aircraft 3 through 6 have been accepted by the operating
detachment, and have been utilized for pilot training and pro-
ficiency flying. U-2R fleet operational ready status will be
achieved when the aircraft have been modified to the latest
EWS configuration. Completion of modification is scheduled by
January 1969.
b. Basic U-2R flight test is 90% complete.
Demonstrated U-2R performance has been consistent with design
specification performance. During development phase problems
have occurred with aircraft air conditioning, engine oil .
cooling, ejector assymetric thrust, fuel feed system, tail
vibration and oxygen pressure. Acceptable fixes have been
obtained or are under investigation for each of these problems.
Through 30 June 1968 a total of 570 hours were flown by the
U-2R, of which 330 hours were flight test and 240 hours were
detachment flying.-
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ACONTROL SYSTEM
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TOP SECRET
Attachment to
~~072-68
OXCART
1, The 29 December 1966 decision to terminate the OXCART
program ,was re-affirmed on 21 May 1968. Termination of the
pr.agram slipped from 31 December 196? to 30 June 1968 to allow
the SR-71 sufficient time to assume Southeast Asia recon-
naissance vice the OXCART/BLACK SHIELD operation. The A-12
aircraft at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, were re-deployed to the
States in June~l968. OXCART facilities at Kadena were turned
over to the USAF for use by the, SR-71 detachment.
2. Storage .of OXCART aircraft at Palmdale, California,
was completed on 21 June 1968. These include two test aircraft,
one trainer and five operational aircraft. Installed and
ground equipments, with appropriate spares, were retained to
support the stored aircraft. Sufficient spare parts and
supplies were xetained to support a 90 day level of activity
for five operational aircraft.
3.
Residual OXCART assets common
to the SR-?1 aircraft
25X1A
are
are
being
bein
transferred to that ro ram.
stor
d at
OXCART peculiar assets
i
E
t
g
e
xcess equ
pmen
s
and
See
in
supplies have been made available to other NRO programs.
Appendix A for an inventory of OXCART systems being placed
stoxage.
4. Twenty-five operational missions were flown in the
past twelve months. Twenty were flown over North Vietnam,
two were primarily targeted against Cambodia, and three were
over North Korea. The cameras operated satisfactorily, and
good to excellent imagery was obtained. Enemy radar tracking
was reported on all but two missions, xanging from brief
reflections of the A-12's presence to extended and accuxate
tracking. Surface to air missiles were launched at the A-I2
on three missions, without success. See Appendix B for a
summary of the operational missions.
5. The fifth accident in the OXCART program occurred on-
o June 196$ when an aircraft disappeared without trace east of
the Phillippines while on a xoutine functional check flight
NRO
25X1A
NRO
? OXCART
'--~-~---~-~-----~ TOP SECRET ~ HANDLE VIA 25X1 A
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- TOP SECRET
.Attachment to
~~072-6$
Page
following an engine change. Cause of the accident was no.t
determined, although catastrophic engine failure was possible
based on analysis of malfunction sensing signals received
immediately preceding the aircraft's disappearance. An in-
tensive~sea and air search failed to locate the pilot,
aircraft or any evidence of the accident.
6. During the course of the OXCART program, 2,850
flights were completed for a total of 4,800 flight hours.
There were 1,032 flights (275 during the past year) which
reached or exceeded speeds of Mach 3.0 far a total of 675
flight hours (220 during the past year) at or above Mach 3.0,
The maximum speed achieved was Mach 3.29. The maximum
altitude achieved was 90,000 feet. The longest single flight
was 7:40 hours. On another flight, 3:50 hours were spent at
ox above Mach 3.0. The longest single sustained flight time
at or above Mach 3.2 was 1:14 hours. In the past three years,
Mach 3.0 flights were made on a routine daily basis.
NRO
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TOP SECRET HANDLE VIA 25X1A
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 Approve~or Release'~'~1/~Q~,~'IA-RDP33=15A000400400013-8
A endix A to
~.9D?2-68
' OXCART Systems Inventory
(All OXCART systems are scheduled to be packaged,
and stored by 31 July 1968).
System
Quantity
Sensors
.
--
__.
__
Type I (Perkin-Elmex) Camera
?
Type II (Eastman Kodak) Camera
~
T e IV (Hycon) Camera
3
25X1 D
Ews
25X1 D
6
5
7
10
6
3
Miscellaneous
Inertial Navigation System
1
per
aircraft
Stability Augmentation System
1
per
aircraft
25X1A
~
1
per
aircraft
Life Support
8
per
aircraft
Engines (YJ and, YJ-1)
4
~.,......,:,,?...s..,~~
cru~F ~~
EKCtu~e+~ born aatn~natie
UawnP,~zGln~ a7tl
OXCART
Approved For Release 2~~~11~'/~~~'~ITA-RDP33-024.1
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EzCluded ir~;a uutrin?tic
~p ~ R,ET
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Appendix B to
~90~7~-
BLACKSHIELD OPERATIONAL SUMMARY
(30 June 1967-30 June 1968)
(All missions were flown over North Vietnam except
as noted . The Type I (Perkin-Elmer) camera. was
used cin Et11 missions . The Mach numbers and
altitudes shown below represent the maximum attained
during the mi~r:~ians)
1. BX-67~' , L3 July 1967. Mission was flown a.t Mach 3.15
~?~~~} ~a~',-100 feet far a. duration of 3:40 hours.
Imagery qua,l ity : Goad .
2. BX-6709, 19 July 1967. Mission was flown at Mach 3.17
and 82,000 feet for a duration of 4:58 hours. Imagery
quality: Excellent.
3. BX-6710, 20 July 1967. Mission was flown at Mach 3.16
and 82,450 feet for a duration of 4:55 hours.
Imagery quality: Good, despite haze problem.
4. BX-6716, 21 August 1967. Mission wa.s flown at Mach 3.2
a.nd 80,000 feet for a duration of 3:55 hours.
Imagery quality: Good to Excellent.
5. BX-6718, 31 August 196?. Mission wa.s flown at Mach 3.20
and 81,000 feet for a duration of 5:12 hours.
Imagery quality: Good until camera. malfunctioned.
6. BX-6722, 16 September 1967_. Mission was flown at
Mach 3.15 and 80,000 feet for a. duration of 4:01 hours.
Imagery quality: Good.
7. BX-6723, 17 September 1967. Mission wa.s flown at
Mach 3.16 and 81,000 feet for a duration of 4:00
hours. Imagery quality: Excellent.
8 , BX-6725, 4 October 1967. Mission was flown at
Mach 3.14 and 81, 000 feet far a duration of 4:09 .hours .
Imagery quality: Excellent.
9. BX-672?, 6 October 1967. Mission was flown at
Mach 3.19 a.nd 81,000 feet for a duration of 2:20 hours.
Imagery quality: Good. Mission wa.s prematurely
terminated due to a faulty ail pressure indicator.
____ _ _ OXCART
HANDLE VIAL
CONTROL SYSTEM
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10. BX-6728, 15 October 1967.
Mach 3.19 and 81,000 feet
hours. Imagery quality:
11. BX-6729 18 October 1967.
Mach and 81,000 feet
? Imagery quality: Good.
12. BX-6732, 28 October 1967.
Mach 3.15 and 83,500 feet
hours. Imagery quality:
13. BX-6733 29 October 1967.
Mission was flown a.t
for a duration of 3:41
Good.
Mission was flown at
far a duration of 4:01 hours.
Mission wa.s flown at
for a duration of 3:49
Good.
.Mission wa.s flown at
for a duration of 3:56
Good.
25X1D Mach nd 82,000 feet
hours. Imagery quality:
14. BX-6734, 30 October 196?.
Mach 3.20 and 85,000 feet
hours. Imagery quality:
25X?D
Mission was flown at
for a. duration of 3:44
Good.
15. BX-6737, 8 December 1967 (Cambodia.). Mission was flown
at Mach 3.20 a.nd 82,500 feet for a duration of 3:59
hours. Imagery quality: Good.
16. BX-6738, 10 December 196? (Ca.mbodia). Mission was flown
at Mach 3 .17 a.nd 81, 000 feet for a. duration of 3:51
hours. Imagery quality: Good.
17. BX-6739,15 December 196?. Mission was flown at
Mach 3.20 and 86,000 feet far a. duration of 4:09 hours.
Imagery quality: ?Good.
18. BX-6740, 16 December 1967. Mission wa.s flown at
Mach 3.20-and 86,200 feet far a, duration of 3:56 hours .?
Imagery quality: Good.,
19. BX-6842, 4 January 1968. Mission wa.s flown at
Mach 3.20 a.nd 85, 100 feet for a. duration of 3; 57 hours.
Imagery quality: Good.
20. BX-_6843, 5 January 1968. Mission was flown at
of 4:09 hours.
ti
on
and 86,000 feet for a dura
a,lity: Sa,tisfa,ctory (haze and cloud shadow) .
HANDLE VI A
CONTROL SY
OXCART
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21. BX-6847, 26 January 1968 (North Korea.). Mission was
flown at Mach 3.20 and 83, 500 feet for a. duration of
4:00 hours. Imagery quality: Good.
22. -BX-6851, 16 February 1968. Mission wa.s flown at
Mach 3.20 and 85,600 feet for a duration of-3:54 hours.
Imagery quality: .Good (considerable cloud cover).
23. BX-6853, 19 February 1968 (North Korea.). Mission was
flown a.t Ma.ch 3.20 and 83, 500 feet for a. duration of
3:39 hours. Imagery quality: Good.
24. BX-6856, 8 Maxch 1968. Mission was flown at
Mach 3.20 a.nd 85, 500 feet far a. duration of 4:01 hours.
Imagery quality: Good. .
25. BX-6858, 6 Ma.y 1968 (North Korea.). Mission wa.s flown
at Mach 3.20 and 84,700 feet for a. duration of 3:30
hours. Imagery quality: Fair due to haze and
scattered clouds. '
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