ADVISORY PANEL MEETING

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00823068
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: February 9, 2017
• Case Number: F-2015-02619
• Publication Date: October 22, 1958

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GUS - 0060/
Copy of 3
PA/PK
22 October 1958
MEMORANDUM FOR: Special Assistant to the Director
for Planning and Development
SUBJECT : Advisory Panel Meeting
1, After hearing the results of Kelly Johnson's design studies
and those of Bob Widmer, I believe that three issues will have to be re-
solved at the next meeting of the Advisory Panel on 12 November 1958.
The first of these is the question of a relative radar detectability of
the two designs. Both contractors have had the benefit of Frank Rodgers
advice and model testing. I am discussing with Frank the possibility
that he get the best estimates of both contractors and incorporate them
in his Monte Carlo type analysis for presentation to the Advisory Panel.
2. The second issue involves a number of factors including the re-
lative aerodynamic performances, the additional heating problems which
might be encountered at Mach 4 as against Mach 3, and the area which can
be covered with certain design ranges of the reconnaissance vehicle util-
izing staging or refueling. In this area we will have to rely, I suspect,
on the knowledge and forthrightness of the contractors plus our own exam-
ination of the best target geometry.
3. The third issue is that of the relative complexity, reliability
and times to develop ramjets which operate on the one hand in a speed
regime of Mach 2 to Mach L. and on the other hand over a speed range of
high supersonic to about Mach 3. On the last point we should perhaps con-
sider inviting Perry Pratt and Ray Marquardt to attend the meeting on
12 November. However, this would add, undesirably, no doubt, to the pre-
sentation time. As an alternative, but somewhat less satisfactory than
having them present to answer directly questions from the Panel, we could
discuss this last area privately with people from P & W and Marquardt on
their home ground prior to the meeting on 12 November.
4. I have informed Kelly Johnson of the discouraging results of the
J-79 powered F-101 using REF fuel. Kelly told me in turn that While he
was unaware of the F-101 test with its discouraging results from the radar
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detectability standpoint, he was looking into the results of an X-7
Marquardt ramjet powered test also using HEF fuel which gave somewhat
discouraging aerodynamic performance results. Col. Leo Geary has pro-
mised to get further information to me on the radar tests of the
fueled F-101.
5. Kelly is now planning to arrive in Washington on 10 November
and will be back here on the 13th, after the Cambridge meeting on the
12th. Just talked to Perry Pratt. He is coming in Friday and will be
prepared to discuss the ramjet engine points listed above.
EUGtHE P. KEEFER/
EPK:aml (22 Oct 1958)
1 - Addressee--1
2 - GUS Subject
3 - GUS Chrono
pproved for Release: 2017/02/03 C00823068