RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLE CONCEPT STUDY FOR FISCAL YEAR 1969

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP71B00822R000100070040-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 64
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 26, 2005
• Sequence Number: 40
• Publication Date: May 7, 1968
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For ReIgase 2006/03/15 : CIA-RDP71 B00822RQ 100070040-7
SECRET
7 May 196
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT . Reconnaissance Vehicle Concept Study
for Fiscal Year 1969
REFERENCE : (a)
(b)
(c)
1. Reference (a) submitted to the D/NRO, the specifies
of certain general research and development activities which
the D/R&D/OSA was proposing for investigation during FY 68.
Item 3 of the attachment to reference (a) was an Aircraft
Parametric Concept Study, and item 4 was an Advanced Aircraft
Concept Investigation. In reference (b) Dr. Flax cited the
ExCom decision, relative to the FY 69 budget program, to fund
studies of advanced aircraft and other highly invulnerable
quick-reaction reconnaissance systems. Therefore Dr. Flax
requested that elements of items 3 and 4 of reference (a) 'ie
included in the plan for studies of advanced systems in FY 69.
2. In formulating the study plan requested by the D/JRO.
it will be necessary to include, among other things, specific
ground rules, available background data, options as appropri-
ate and the basis for contractor selection. The purpose of
this memorandum is to present some initial thoughts regarding
data to be included in the study plan.
3. Specific Ground Rules - Reference (c) memorandum to
OSI requested the most realistic estimate of the 1975-1980
defensive environments of the Soviet Bloc and of other
appropriate areas. Hopefully, having these data available
in advance of the study effort would result in the formulation
of more realistic performance requirements. In this manner it
is intended to avoid a repeat of the effo_Tt
wherein, subsequent to completion of the study/vulnerability),
USAF review(s) completed.
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estimated by OSI concluded the performance envelopes of the
various designs could not survive in the estimated defensive
environment.
Available Background Data - It is intended to make
ngl ss
available all of the and design.
data as well as the characteristics of the
OXCART and IDEALIST performance and cross-section data will.
also be provided as required as well as any pertinent engine
technology. The intent will be to insure that this concept;
study will not repeat anything previously determined.
Options as Appropriate - Various options will be investi-
gated including manned vs. unmanned, self-accelerator vs. air
launched and staged vs. U.S. based. These options should be
investigated from the standpoint of cost effectiveness, quick-
reaction, performance impact, etc. The contractors should be
encouraged to investigate not only faster and higher perfor-
mance than is now available, but also consider the possible
advantages of very low altitude, mixed profiles, iae, high-low-
high, muffled propulsion systems, or any other "way-out" meas.
Unusual tactics, unusual configurations or both may very vela
be required, and, in this regard, negative constraints, ux-Jess
defensible, should be avoided in the basic ground
rules.
Contractor Selection - The study plan to the D/NRO will
require strong arguments for the contractor selections. on
the one hand there is definite merit in returning to II
and since our previous association with
each of them was extremely fruitful and, as such, they ar( a
"known quantity." On the other hand, a replowing of old
ground could result with either of these contractors and the
'--
new and original thinking we are seeking may be lost. Fu--,-the)--
more, the the recent F-111 fiasco may not put
a very favorable light. The other major contractors who must
be considered would be
II The potential capabilities and recent efforts o each
of these companies should be reviewed and perhaps personal
contact made with each. As a personal observation, the
undersigned would recommend that not be considered
as a possible candidate for this study.
ASD/R&D/OSA
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ASD/R&D/OSA (7 May 68)
Distribution:
orig - ASD/R&D/OSA
1 - D/R&D/OSA
1 - A (T) D/R&D/OSA
1 - PSD/R&D/OSA
1 - SSD/R&D/OSA
1 - ASD/R&D/OSA (Chrono)
SECRET
Approved For Release 2006/03/15 : CIA-RDP71 B00822R000100070040-7
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A' TR C. Di APEK
,TVIN L. BUCK
document is subject to spcciai export controls and each tray:.,.,-;
,reign governments or foreign; lat: Is may be made only with pi ic:r