ADVANCED RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEM - CONCEPT FORMULATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 5, 2004
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: November 7, 1968
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
SECRET IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
14 00023510D
25X1
NOV 19%3
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Science and Technology
SUBJECT : Advanced Reconnaissance System - Concept
Formulation
Schedule committments may preclude our presentation
to you of the Advanced Reconnaissance System Study Plan
briefing prior to the EXCOM meeting on 13 November. In
view of this, I have taken the liberty to attach hereto
an informal copy of the Deputy for Research and Development
submission to Comptroller, OSA. If time permits prior to
EXCOM, your perusal will give you the substance of our
approach to the study effort called for by the D/NRO. We
are ready at any time to present this briefing to you or
to transpose this internal document into appropriate form
for DD/S&T submission to D/NRO.
25X1
JOHN PARANGOSKY
Deputy Director of Special Activities
25X1
NRO review(s) completed.
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : CIA-RDP74B00283 -
 Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
SECRET
I
Page
program.
be allocated to CIA, for use in FY-69, for the concept
formulation phase of an Advanced Aerodynamic Reconnaissance
System, under the-General Research and Development-(Aircraft)
3. It is requested that funds in the amount of
Copy 1 -. COMPT/OSA
2 - B&F/COMPT/OSA
3 - DD/SA
4 - D/R&D/OSA
5 - D/M/OSA
6 - D/O/OSA
7 - CMD/COMPT/OSA
8. - ASD/R&D/OSA
9 -.ASD/R&D/OSA(Chrono)
10 - RB/OSA
25X1
25X1
Distribution:
Deputy or
Research and Development
Special Activities
25X1 ASD/R&D/OSA 5 Nov 1968
Approved For Release 2004/12/15: CIA-RDP74B0028
SECRET
 Approved For Release 2004/fl&EQIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
I.. TITLE Concept Formulation Phase of an Advanced
Aerodynamic Reconnaissance System
25X1
REFERENCE Idtd 5 Sept 1967, "Funding
Request for Certain FY-68 General R&D
(Aircraft) Activities"
II. OBJECTIVE To explore various methods of achieving
i ssance
on
ec
k
eac
i
i
bl
V++++aa
a
V i
c
-i
e qu
a surv
va
capability. Primary objective would be
to survive in the lethal envelopes of
projected Sovbloc and other defensive
environments through the 1975 - 1980 period.
Elements of the task encompass items
3 and 4 of the referenced memorandum.
*III* BACKGROUND In anticipation of approval for this
ence
ientific Intelli
f S
th
Offi
d
t
g
c
ce o
e
s
u
y,
(OSI) was requested to-provide their
most realistic estimate of the Soviet
Bloc and the non-Soviet'Bloc defensive
environments for the 1975 - 1980 period.
A summary of the results of the OSI effort
are presented in Exhibit (A). These
results in Exhibit (A) together with the
quick reaction capability as stipulated
by USIB for the indications satellite,
Exhibit (B), are used to establish an
.approach to the problem.
IV. APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM
Survivability would be considered as
two distinct environments, i.e., Soviet
Bloc and non-Soviet Bloc. Exhibit (C)
identifies how each of these two en-
vironments would be investigated. Since
a "wait and see" approach is recommended
for the non-Soviet Bloc environment, the
effort for FY-69 reduces to concentrating
only on the Soviet Bloc task. This task
Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
 Approved For Release 2004gi f IA-RDP.74B0.0283R000100130009-1
Page 2
would be performed in sequence by a
"Think Group" and then an Airframe
contractor. The proposed program
organization and elements of the task
are shown in Exhibits (D) and (E).
The elements of the task would encompass
.the specifics as outlined in Exhibit (F).
Further amplification of this exhibit is
noted below:
a. Profiles and Tactics - Using the
as the limiting
minimum enve ope,investigate maximum
capable concepts. Implicit in the
development of these concepts will be
the realization that future defensive
systems expected 10 years hence can only
be postulated. Therefore, the sensitivity
of survival to variation in defensive
system performance parameters must be
considered. All conceivable and
potentially feasible vehicle profiles and
tactics would be considered for survi-
vability. No technological constraints
would be imposed on either altitude or
speed. Also realistic maneuvers, as they
effect the engagement geometry between
the SAM and the vehicle, would be evaluated.
b. Candidate Concept Survey - Based on
using viable profiles and tactics developed
above, this survey should ideally result
in one or more concepts. This segment
would be the sole responsibility of the
airframe contractor under Headquarters
direction.
Flight Modes - All modes would be
examined to determine if one or more
emerges as a superior approach. The
launch phase would include investigating
SECRET
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/12115 : CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
 Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
SECRET
25X1
Attachment I to
0
Page 3
vehicles which are air launched, ground
launched, boosted or self-accelerators.
The significant, i.e., intelligence
gathering phase, would consider but not
be restricted to glide, powered,
throttling techniques, high-altitude, low
altitude and combinations thereof and
speeds to encompass from hypersonic to
sub-sonic in consonance with the profiles
and tactics.
Technology - The contractor would avail
himself of the latest materials, manu-
facturing and engineering technology. All
of the technology derived from previous
programs would be considered so as not to
"replow old ground." The most futuristic
NASA data would be considered for appli-
cability.
Operational Considerations - The case
of manned vs. unmanned would be considered
in depth with all compromises both from
the vehicle design standpoint and from
the cost and reliability standpoint being
weighed. The type of launch and the
basing facilities would be reviewed as.
they effect the design capability.
Considerations necessary to maintain a
covert program would be addressed.
c. Analysis - A determination/
assessment o ow well each concept meets
the problem would result from this phase
of the task.
Force Fit- It is highly unlikely that
any one design would prove superior in
all aspects and certain weight would have
to b3 given to the various aspects of the
problem during the analysis.
25X1
SECRET
Approved For Release 2004/12/15: CIA-RDP74B0028
 25X1
Attachment I to
Page
Reaction - Any intelligence collection
system is useful only if the data are
available to the users on a "soonest"
basis. Therefore, the quick-reaction
ability of the concepts would be given
prime consideration. Both the reaction
time for the actual collection of the
data and also the subsequent steps
necessary for processing, etc., would be
a part of the study.
Man Value - Since politically an
unmanned vehicle would be much more
palatable, the presence of a man must
prove to be of extreme value from the
reliability and mission success standpoint
if selected. Perhaps the man might be
present only during the test phase with
the vehicle being droned operationally.
Cost - Naturally any large expenditure
of funds committed for intelligence
collection can only be justified if (a)
a requirement for the intelligence exists,
(b) the concept has a high chance of
success of obtaining the data and (c) a
more reliable, less costly, more politically
acceptable approach doesntt exist. There-
fore, in the analysis, it is envisioned
that both the Airframe Contractor and
Headquarters would have an input.
d. Answer - This phase of the task
would represent the end result of the
effort. Only if the results clearly in-
dicated that both survivability and quick
reaction were potentially feasible and
practically achievable, would consideration
be given to a follow-on effort to include
confirmation of system designs and the
investigation of basic technology in certain
critical areas.
~I. The contractor candidates would be selected in accordance
with the criteria of Exhibit (e. A cost and schedule
estimate is presented in Exhibit (H)o
Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
SECRET
Approved For. Release 2004AQ# 3T CIA-RbP74BO0
 Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
 Approved. For Release 2004/12/15 E:-ETP74B00283R000100130009-1
S
DEFINITION ' OF QUICK REACTION
TWENTY-FIVE HOUR ELAPSED TIME INCREMENT' FROM
OFFICIAL REQUEST FOR RECONNAISSANCE COVERAGE TO
RECEIPT OF PROCESSED PRODUCT BY INTERPRETERS.
Approved For Release 2004152E16 RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
 Approved For Release 2004/12/15':,900283Ro00i001300o91.
PROJECTED RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEMS
NON-SOVIET BLOC
FOLLOW TAGBOARD PROGRESS FOR 'ONE YEAR
IF SATISFACTORY, INVESTIGATE MODS TO TAGBOARD TO IMPROVE
ALTITUDE.
IF UNSATI SFACTORY, INVESTIGATE MODS TO A-121SR-71 FAMILY
TO IMPROVE ALTITUDE.
- t t
Approved For Release 204/12/15 : CIA-RDP74B00203R000100130009-1
SECRET-
 SECRET
PROGRAM ORGANIZATION FOR SOVIET-BLOC STUDY
THINK GROUP Based on reconnaissance targets and ground rules, identify
PROFILES AND TACTICS. Options to be rated in order of
preference.
HEADQUARTERS - PROFILES AND TACTICS to be selected based on think group
data plus in-house assessment.
HEADQUARTERS Review Approved For Release and final 2004/12/15 judgement
AIRFRAME MANUFACTURER - Technological survey of all potential CANDIDATE CONCEPTS
compatible with PROFILES AND TACTICS.
ANALYSIS of concepts to provide rating in order of
preference with supporting data.
SECRET
Approved For Release 2004/12/1.5.: CIAfRDP74B00283R0001001300b9-1
EXHIBIT
 Approved For Release 2004/12/pE gj-EqP74B00283R0001
ELEMENTS OF THE TASK
L PROFILES AND TACTICS - THINK GROUP
2. CANDIDATE CONCEPT SURVEY - AIRFRAME MANUFACTURER
3. ANALYSIS - AIRFRAME MANUFACTURERIHEADQUARTERS
4. ANSWER - AIRFRAME MANUFACTURERIHEADQUARTERS
Approved For. Release 2004/1 CC.1 XDP74B00283R000100130009-1.
EXHIBIT (E)
r 0-
 Approved For Release 2004/12/1?: &W74B00283R0001001'30'009--l
PROFILES AND TACTICS
LOW TO HIGH ALTITUDES
SUBSONIC TO HYPERSONIC SPEEDS
MANEUVERABILITY
SECRET
Approved For Release 004/12/15 CIA-RDP74Q00283R000100130009-1
EXHIBIT (F
 Approved For Re1ease.2004/12/15:
y74p00283R000100130009-1
f
~ -
2.
CAND I DATE CONCEPT SURVEY
. 25X1
FLIGHT MODES - AIR LAUNCHED VS. GROUND LAUNCHED
BOOSTED VS. SELF-ACCELERATION
GLIDE, POWERED, THROTTLING TECHNIQUES
TECHNOLOGY - OXCART
ISINGLASS
GENERAL DYNAMICS STUDY
OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS - MANNED VS. UNMANNED
TYPE OF LAUNCH
BASING FACILITIES
COVERT OPERATION
SENSOR CONSIDERATIONS - BROAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR WEIGHT AND
VOLUME ALLOTMENT
SECRET
Approved For Release 2004/12/15: CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
EXHIBIT (F)
 17
Approved For Release 2004/12/55E -!C1P74B00283R000100130009-1
ti
3. ANALYSIS
FORCE FIT CANDIDATE CONFIGURATIONS RELATIVE TO WEIGHTING OF
VARIOUS ASPECTS OF PROBLEM
REACTION - TIME FOR COLLECTION OF DATA
TIME FOR PROCESSING AND DELIVERY TO INTERPRETER
MAN VALUE - IMPACT ON RELIABILITY AND MISSION SUCCESS
POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS
CONSIDER MAN ONLY DURING TEST PHASE
COST - JUSTIFIED ONLY IF:
A. REQUIREMENT EXISTS =
B. -ACCEPTABLE PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
C. NO MORE RELIABLE, .LESS COSTLY, MORE POLITICALLY
ACCEPTABLE APPROACH -
Approved For Release' 204/Si1r6 I RDP74B00283R000100130069-1.
 3ttolKiti
4. ANSWER
A proved For Release 2004/12115 RDP74B00.283R0001.00130009-
A. SURVIVABILITY POSSIBLE?
B. QUICK REACTION POSSIBLE?
IF BOTH. A AND B POSSIBLE, DEVELOP PLAN
18
SECRET
Approved For Release 2004/12/15': CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
EXHIBIT (F)
 SECRET
Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : -RDP74B00203R000100130009-1
IV. CONTRACTOR CANDIDATES
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
THINK GROUP
AERODYNAMIC TYPE VEHICLE EXPERIENCE
VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS EXPERIENCE
TACTICS/ENGAGEMENT ANALYSIS EXPERIENCE
LOCATION OF FACILITY
SECURITY CLEARANCE CONSIDERATIONS
COST
TIME
AIRFRAME/SYSTEMS
DEPENDENT UPON RESULTS OF THINK GROUP EFFORT.
SPECIFIC FLIGHT REGIME EXPERIENCE
HARDWARE VS. DESIGN -STUDY
PROGRAM SUCCESSES
PREVIOUS RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLE EXPERIENCE
PREVIOUS AGENCY AFFILIATION.
Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : CIA=RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
SECRET :
EXHIBIT (G)_
 25X1
THINK GIOUP-.
AIRFRAME
.CONTRACTOR
.Approved For'I elease2004/12/1.5: Q-ROP74B00283R0001.00130009-
1T CO ST AN DSCH ED U LE
Approved For Release 2004/1.211.5.: CIA:RDP74BOO283ROOUI00130009-1 . .
EXHIBIT. (H)
FY 69
FY 70
DECIJANI FEGI MAP.lAPI:lMAYj JUfLIJULIAUGlSCt'TI
25
 25X1 Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Approved For Release 2004/12/15 : CIA-RDP74B00283R000100130009-1