PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 5, 2002
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: October 15, 1973
• Content Type: MF

TOP ~ SECRET
Approved For F'fease 2002/0 1 I P33-02415AW800020005-5
9263-10-73 25X1
Lop 6 of 12
NRO review completed
15 OCT 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, CIA Reconnaissance Programs
SUBJECT: Program Progress Report
Forwarded herewith are three copies of the IDEALIST
Program Progress Report for the period 1 July 1973 -
30 September 1973.
A.
Brigadier General, USAF
Director of Special Activities
25X1 As stated
0457-73)
CLASSIF;f !) i?Y -I I ---
Si;(~!, i? c ne more)
25X1
Impossible to Determine
(unless i;_qozr;~,?r, ~..-^t c':o-tr or event)
.Approved For Release 20021A$ P : ? F-02415A0008000~
d6~frp 1C EXCLUDED FROM
fiSC DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
25X1
25X1
 TOP SECRET
Approved For FWease 2002/015.i_kglRSPfDP33-02415AQ&0800020005-5
9263-10-73
F 2
SAS/O/OSA
Distribution:
1 - D/CRP
2 - D/CRP
3 - D/CRP
4 - DDS&T Reg
5 - D/SA
6- SAS/O/OSA
7 - D/O/OSA
8 - IDEA/O/OSA
9 - INTEL/O/OSA
10 - D/ M/ OSA
11 - AMS/OSA
12 - RB/OSA
(12 October 1973)
25X1
IDEALIST GROUPI EXCLUDED FROM
pproved For Release 200 3-02415A0008000 ?10?5~$~ DOWNGRADING
- - AND DECLASSIFICATION
 Approved For FWease 2002/0892 S~A-RUF33-02415A800020005-5
IDEALIST
645?-73 25X1
Section 1
IDEALIST
OPERATIONAL SUMMARY AND STATUS
(1 July 1973 - 30 September 1973)
A. Nine IDEALIST TACKLE operational missions were alerted
during this period.
All missions were planned to be flown no closer
tha1n 25 nautical miles to the China mainland coast. The following is
a summary of the missions flown:
3. along the south
China coast and Hainan Island. The mission was flown to collect
photo information utilizing the "H" camera configuration.
The pilot reported the weather to be worse than forecast and
estimated 60 percent mission success. The Hainan and Fort Bayard
areas were obscured by clouds. Twenty-seven of 86 programmed
and five bonus non-COMIREX targets were photographed.
pproved For Release 200
CLUDFDFROM
Mfb , xDOWNGRADIING
AND DECLAS51rICAHION
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
 Approved For Lease 2002TI 0,
and 14 bonus non-COMIREX targets were photographed.
6457-73 25X1
Sec ion 1
Page 2
B. One mission was flown
to obtain standoff photography of coastal North Vietnam with the "H"
camera configuration. This mission was planned to approach no closer
than 12 nautical miles from the North Vietnam mainland or offshore
islands.
I and provided the
best peripheral coverage to date of the Vietnamese coastal areas.
Coverage was obtained from northern Quang Tri province in South
Vietnam to the Don Son peninsula in North Vietnam. The mission
provided new or updated information on land and waterborne
logistics routes, logistics support facilities, transshipment points
and storage areas, SA-2 deployment, status of military barracks
and airfields, and a limited amount of new ground order of battle
information. The mission was flown as briefed with no unusual
A- L
film test.
25X1A
reported as briefed with 40 percent mission success. Sixty-
seven of 100 programmed targets, seven bonus COMIR.EX targets,,
designed to collect hoto information utilizing the
"H" camera configuration. e mission was flown as briefed
with no unusual activities or sightings reported. Weather was
--
Shanghai along the north central China
4.
activities or sightings orted.
RED DOT - One sortie was flown in support of continuing
Approved For Release 2002fj-02415A0008000~
GROUP I EXCLUDFD FROM
0RO005k5C DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
 25X1 Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5
Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5
 Approved For lease 2002"/08/'12 SCTA=RDP33-02415A'80800020005-5
IDEALIST
16457-73 25X1
Section 1
Page 4
PILOT AND AIRCRAFT STATUS (AS OF 30 SEPTEMBER 1973)
A. Detachment "G" (Edwards AFB - North Base)
Aircraft 2 U-ZR
Pilots
25X1
Aircraft
2 U-ZR
25X1
Operationally Ready
(Standby Status)
25X1
~ppproved For Release 200O
2$j :?[A:J p,PT3-02415A0008000
(""XCLUDED FROM
DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
 Approved For R ease 2002/0$/!D2/. 1.A 4P33-02415A 800020005-5
6457-73 25X1
TOP SECRET
IDEALIST
DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY AND PROGRESS
(1 July 1973 - 30 September 1973)
I AIRFRAME
A. J-75P13B Engine Improvement
1. First and Third Stage Turbine Blades
a. The feasibility of extending engine Hot Section
Inspection (HSI) and Time Between Overhaul (TBO), as a
result of improved first and third stage turbine blades, was
indicated during the routine overhaul of the first of three
engines in this test program.
b. Evaluation of first stage turbine blades' at approxi-
mately 700 hours and third stage blades at 1400 hours
produced highly satisfactory results.
(1) First stage blades were totally free of leading
edge cracks, were in very good condition, and no blades
required replacement. The earlier blade had a replace-
ment factor of up to 60 percent for cracks.
(2) Third stage blades were found in good condition
and no replacement blades were required.
2. Constant Speed Drive (CSD) Modification
a. Three CSD units have been delivered to the contractor
for use in a feasibility test program designed to obtain a
CSD/Main AC generator system that will stay on line for low
engine RPM used during final approach.
IDEALIST GROUP I EXCLUDED FROM
Approved For Release 200 3-02415A0008000 90?" DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
 Approved For Rase
2002T0$f& A i~-SP33-02415A91i0800020005-5
457-73 25X1
Section 2
Page 2
b. The CSDs will be reworked to permit incorporation
of a new fixed wobbler prior to laboratory feasibility testing
scheduled for December 1973.
B. U-ZR Flight Test and Operational Training Summary
1. IDEALIST Program accomplishments in U-2R aircraft
since introduction include 11, 863.7 hours on 3664 sorties as of
30 September 1973.
2.
Flight test and operational data are depicted below:
1 JUL-30 SEP
FLIGHTS
1 JUL-30 SEP
TIME
1
- 051
46
125. 0
2
- 053
48
132. 3
3
- 054
50
152. 1
4
- 055
44
183.7
TOTAL 188
593. 1
PAYLOAD
A. E'H" Camera -
1. During August the decision was made to remove the mirror
from Detachment "H" configuration Serial Number 003 and install
it in the thermally modified configuration Serial Number 002,
located at the contractor's facility.
2. After five satisfactory test flights conducted between
27 and 31 August, Serial Number 002 was deployed to Detachment "1-i"
on 4 September. Following continued flight testing, the configuration
was declared Operationally Ready on 14 September 1973.
pproved For Release 200
J3-02415A00080002
W 1C EXCLUDED FROM
1115C DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
 Approved For Rase 2002TO?TjInA
457-73
ecion2
Page 3
3. Serial Number 003 was then returned to the contractor's
facility on 6 September for thermal modification and installation
of a new mirror. This configuration is scheduled to enter flight
testing early in November 1973.
B. '`H" Hatch Pressure Test
1. On 19 Jul 1973,
in an attempt to define the cause of the ghost
image anomaly evidenced on some photographic products. As a
result of this consultation, the effects of air density across the
hatch windows became a candidate for serious consideration.
2. Lockheed developed a method for instrumenting the
r'H" hatch to measure this environmental effect, and two flight
tests were conducted to acquire operational data. This data. is
currently being evaluated
"B" Cameras
1. Serial Number 229 was returned to the contractor's plant
on 13 July 1973 because its performance did not meet contract
specifications. Contractor evaluation indicated that platen
recontouring would be necessary to bring the configuration up to
customer requirements. Recontouring is being accomplished,
and Serial Number 229 is scheduled to reenter flight testing late
in October 1973.
2. Serial Number 230 experienced accidental dropping while
being loaded into the Q Bay and was returned to the contractor's
facility on 24 July for repair. Repair work was completed and the
configuration resumed flight testing on 21 September 1973.
D. Camera - This configuration entered the
contractor's plant as sc eduled on 14 August for installation of a second
f/3. 5 apochromatic lens and variable slit modification to the scan heads,
The unit is scheduled to be redelivered to Detachment "G" during
January 1974.
25X1
25X1
25X1
IDEALIST o I XCLUDED FROM
pproved For Release 2002j,0a{'12 : 3-02415A0008000 fd& DDW NG RAD ING
T013 ?&H AND DECLASSIFICATION JI
 25X1 Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5
 Approved For Re ease 2007/0 S 33-02415A 0800020005-5
457-73 25X1
Section 2
Page 6
25X1
25X1 A. 1-1 Medical Activities
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Life Support Activities
1. 51010 Parachute Retainer Strap - The retainer strap used
to insure that the main riser of the RQ-225 parachute remains
properly positioned on the shoulder will be lengthened one inch on
all 51010 full pressure suits. This action follows successful
completion of test parachute drops conducted in September 1973
1
25X1
device feasibility study has been successfully completed. Helicopter
test flights using a breadboard model were accomplished in
September 1973. Live parachute drop tests are scheduled to begin
the week of 15 October 1973 in Buffalo, N. Y.
2. Automatic Seat Kit - The
Approved For Release 2002 6y. Pf3-02415A0008000
LUDED FROM
00684XDO
WNGRAp NG
AND DECLASSIFICATION
 Approved For R eease 2002/0q/jZ]ACI& P33-02415A!O800020005-5
6457-73
Section 2
Page 7
3. 51010 Pilot Protective Assembly (PPA) Flotation
Development - A flyable prototype flotation assembly for subject
#434 was evaluated at Detachment "G" on 21 September 1973.
Based on the successful results of this cockpit study, the new
flotation will be test flown during the next quarter. If successful,
an additional 20 pounds of buoyancy will be provided the pilot to
assist him, if necessary, in surviving in a rough sea condition.
5. Shark Deterrent Screen - The shark deterrent screen
(shark bag) developed by Dr. C. Scott Johnson of the Naval Under-
sea Warfare Center, San Diego, California, appears to be a more
reliable method of providing shark protection to a downed pilot
than the existing chemical shark chaser. Cost estimates have been
requested from the prime contractor of the full pressure suit, the
David Clark Company, to fabricate a small number of bags. The
be approached or a price estimate on the same item. The
I Ihas been instrumental in the past in successfully
vacuum packaging otherwise rather large and bulky items such as
the jungle hammock for inclusion in the U-ZR survival seat kit.
Training Activities
25X1
25X1
25X1
1. Survival Training - Parasail 25X1
tropical, and seacoast survival raining was con ucte or 25X1
I Ifrom 23 July through 5 August 1973
in southern Florida. Physiological training, explosive decompressions,
and pressure suit low pressure chamber flights were also accomplished
forl during this quarter. Both pressure suits
required some factory rework for proper fit, all of which has been
completed and the suits are in place at Detachment "G".
IDEALIST
pproved For Release 20021jk :ft 3-02415A0008000~
TOP SECRET
GROUP I EXCLUDED FROM
0095A5C DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
 TOP SECRET
Approved For Rase 2002/04/I1Z]ACA4,gWP33-02415A@W800020005-5
457-73 25X1
Section 2
Page 8
Life Support Conference - The semiannual Life
Support U-3-nference was held at Brooks AFB, San Antonio, Texas,
on 15 - 16 August 1973.
meeting,
of AMS/OSA, attended this 25X1
25X1
IDEALIST
4pproved For Release 2002falp :g 3-02415A0008000~
GROUP I EXCLUDED FROM
OO05A5C DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
 Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800020005-5