Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP79B01709A002300010037-7
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16 September 1966
Special Limited
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MEMORANDUM FOR THE UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE BOARD
SUBJECT : System XVIIB for OXCART
REFERENCE : USIB-D-41. 13/32 (COMOR-D-25/214)
23 March 1966, Special Limited Distribution
1. The attached memorandum from':the Director, National
Reconnaissance Office (D/NRO) is circulated for the information of
the Board Members at this time. It responds to a United States
Intelligence Board (USIB) request (see reference) that NRO explore
the feasibility of installing a System XVII as an optional piece of
equipment in the OXCART and improve the present System XVII
to achieve a more precise direction-finding capability.
2. The attachment is referred herewith to the Committee
on Overhead Reconnaissance (COMOR) for comment and a report to
USIB.
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16 September 1966
Special Limited
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NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
September 14, 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR: United States Intelligence Board
SUBJECT: System XVIIB for OXCART
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1. A study to determine the feasibility of repackaging System XVII for
installation in an OXCART vehicle without interference with the primary 25X1 D
photographic payload has been completed. The feasibility study indicates
that a System XVII can be packaged in a form such that it would fit into one
of the existing chine boxes now utilized to accommodate the
systems. There are two chine box receptacles built into the ramewor of
the OXCART vehicle, one on each side of the main fuselage. They are nor-
mally utilized to accommodate I systems. A System XVII, 25X1 D
to be designated as XVIIB for the OXCART application, packaged to fit into
a chine box, can be installed or removed from an OXCART vehicle in one
hour, the time normally required to rotate existing II packages. It is 25X1 D
planned that whenever a requirement for System XVIIB exists, that the system
be loaded into one chine box receptacle while the other chine be configured 25X1
with a0 system appropriate for the particular mission. NRO
2.
F These antennas, currently used with a small Signal Intercept
Package (SIP), can be employed with System XVIIB. The SIP is a collection
device which produces certain limited information intended to assist in the
assessment of the vulnerability of the vehicle to radar tracking. It is unnec-
essary to carry SIP when System XVIIB is on board.
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16 September 1966
Special Limited
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3. The existing (SIP) antenna system was not designed to provide DF
information; however, a limited capability for left to right information is
available at the lowest frequencie In response to the
USIB request, a study will be initiated to investigate techniques that might
be applicable for improving the DF capability. If a practical system can be
devised, the increase in DF capability will be added at a later date.
4. We have undertaken to build two new Systems XVIIB for OXCART
and leave the existing equipments available for other uses. The demand
for use of the two existing equipments for IDEALIST application is sufficient
to justify adding two additional Systems XVIIB to the OXCART inventory.
Current schedule for delivery of the two new systems as well as the time
required to repackage existing Systems XVII to a chine box (B) configuration
is eight months from go-ahead. Flight test and evaluation will require ap-
proximately one additional month if the flights are integrated into the over-
all vehicle test program.
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