PRIORITY NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE OBJECTIVES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP61-00549R000100100011-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 13, 1999
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: March 5, 1957
• Content Type: REQ

Approved For Release : QA- 61-00549R000100100011-2
IAC-D-50/8
First Revision
Final
5 March 1957
Priority National Scientific and Technical
Intelligence Objectives
1. Pursuant to National Security Council Intelligence Directive
No. 4, paragraph 2, Director of Central Intelligence Directive No.
4/6 (DCID 4/6) established a list of priority national intelligence ob-
jectives as a guide for the coordination of intelligence collection and
production in response to requirements relating to the formulation
and execution of national security policy.
2. The Scientific Estimates Committee, the Joint Atomic
Energy Intelligence Committee, and the Guided Missile Intelligence
Committee--each in its own sphere of responsibility and with the
concurrence of the Intelligence Advisory Committee--have derived
the following scientific and technical intelligence objectives from
DCID 4/6. The statement of these objectives will be revised when
required by revision of DCID 4/6.
3. By definition, all items in this listing are deemed to be
critical national scientific and technical intelligence factors requiring
priority attention and effort. Distinction is made, however, between
three levels of priority within the general priority category. Order
Approved For Release %1P61-00549R0001 00100011-2
 Approved For ReleaseaR DP61-005498000100100011-2
' IAC-D-50/8
First Revision
5 March 1957
of listing within these three groups has no significance with respect
to the relative priority of specific items within the group.
1. First Priority Objectives
A. The- capabilities of the USSR to conduct research on and
develop weapons and other components of weapons systems requisite
for nuclear attack on the United States or key US overseas installa-
tions (DCID 4/6, para. I c). Particular emphasis will be placed on
the scientific and technological aspects of Soviet work on:
1. Nuclear weapons, nuclear warheads, and
special nuclear materials.
2. Non-nuclear components of nuclear weapons and
warheads.
3. Bomber aircraft (including nuclear propulsion
therefor).
4. Guided missiles (including intercontinental ballistic,
long-range non-ballistic/cruise type, air-to-surface,
submarine-launched surface-to-surface types, and
nuclear power for long-range guided missiles).
.* First Priority Intelligence Objectives are those which will permit
the US: (1) to anticipate and counter those policies or actions of
foreign states which would occasion gravest consequences to the
US; and (2) to stimulate policies or actions of foreign states(or
actions within them) which could occasion greatest benefit to the
US (DCID 4/6, para. 3 a).
Approved For Release E jDk1-00549R000100100011-2
 Approved For Release : CIA-RDP61-00549R000100100011-2
IAC-D-50/8
First Revision
5 March 1957
5. Submarines (including nuclear propulsion therefor)
capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
6. Electronic systems including blind-bombing, long-
range navigation, defensive fire control of nuclear
delivery vehicles, and electronics (including com-
munications) countermeasures systems.
B The capabilities of the USSR to conduct research on and
develop weapons and other components of weapons systems requisite
for defense against air (including missiles) attack (DCID 4/6, para.
I c). Particular emphasis will be placed on the determination of
scientific research and development on:
1. Nuclear warheads for anti-aircraft missiles,
rockets and artillery.
2. Piloted defense aircraft.
3. Both surface-to-air and air-to-air guided missiles.
4. Defense against intercontinental ballistic missiles.
5. Anti-aircraft rockets and artillery.
Approved For Release : CIA-RDP61-00549R000100100011-2
 Approved For Release - C P61-00549R000100100011-2
IAC-D?50/8
First Revision
March 1957
6. Electronic systems including early warning, ground
control intercept, airborne intercept, IFF, and
missile guidance radars; air defense filter centers
and communications networks; and electronics
(including communications) countermeasure systems.
7. Passive defensive measures,
C. Soviet capabilities, plans, and intentions for the clandestine
delivery of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons against the US or
key US overseas installations (DCID 4/6, para. I d). Particular
reference is made to detection of specific scientific and technological
accomplishments, such as the development of specialized weapons and
the solution of the peculiar problems in packaging, transporting, and
storing that will make such delivery feasible.
II. Second Priority Objectives*
A. Sino=Soviet Bloc scientific and technical strengths and
weaknesses substantially affecting their military, economic, and
Second Priority Intelligence Objectives are those which will permit
the US: (1) to anticipate and counter those policies or actions of
foreign states which would have serious consequences for the US;
and (2) to stimulate policies or actions of foreign states (or actions
within them) which could occasion great benefit to the US (DCID 4/6,
para. 3 b),
Approved For Relea L /? RDP61-00549R000100100011-2
 Approved For Release) P61-00549R000100100011-2
I.AC-D-54/8
First Revision
5 MP,,,r, 1957
political capabilities, including the possibility of major technological
breakthroughs (DCID 4/6, parr, al e and k). The priority assigned
to these strengths and weaknesses applies, in the first instance, to
the detection of scientific and technological developments which could
give the Sino-Soviet Bloc a technological advantage. When such
developments are detected, the priority of the subsequent intelligence
effort will be determined by the extent to which the development af-
fects US national security. In addition, second priority coverage
will be given to the scientific and technological strengths which are
basic elements in Soviet economic and military capabilities and to
those technological weaknesses which may reflect grave Soviet vul-
nerabilities. Therefore, particular emphasis will be placed on:
1. Research and development which are most likely
to lead to significant technological advances
as Basic scientific research undertaken without
specific focus on any particular application
(for example, research in solid state physics,
cosmic rays, radio astronomy, low temperature
physics, upper atmosphere, enzymology, and
catalysis).
5 -
Approved For Release-:"C IAtRDP61-00549R000100100011-2
 Approved For Release
RDP61-00549R000100100011-2
~'IIET
IAC-D-50/8
First Revision
5 March 1 9.57
b. Development of new applications of existing
scientific knowledge (for example, earth
saatellites, weather control, long-range trans-
mission of useful or destructive energy, means
of influencing human behavior, and advanced
communications systems).
2. Technological developments which can affect sig-
nificantly the economic potential of the Sino-
Soviet Bloc (For example, automation, methods
of increasing food supply, and solar and nuclear
power)
3. Technological developments which can affect
significantly the military potential of the Sine-
Soviet Bloc (For example, biological and chemical
warfare, armored vehicles, naval vessels, etc, )
4. The organization, control and status of science
5. The quality and quantity of Soviet scientific and
technical manpower
Approved For Release' : RDP61-00549R000100100011-2
 Approved For Release : C DP61-00549R000100100011-2
IAC -D-50/8
First Revision
5 March 1957
6. Fields in which technological weaknesses may
reflect grave Sino-Soviet Bloc vulnerabilities
(For example, biological and agricultural sciences
related to improved food supply, automatic data
processing system for air defense, and inter-
continental ballistic missile defense)
B. Scientific and technological developments in Japan, which
would have a material bearing on its stability and orientation (DCID 4/6,
para. II o).
III. Third Priority Objectives*
In addition to the priority objectives outlines in paras. I and II,
above, it is recognized that scientific and technological developments
may occur outside those areas discussed, which will have such sig-
nificance as to affect US security. For that reason, certain third
priority objectives (DCID' 4/6, para. III) are stated below.
Third Priority Intelligence Objectives are those which will permit
the US: (1) to anticipate and counter those policies or actions of
foreign states which would have harmful consequences to the US;
and (2) to stimulate policies or actions of foreign states (or
actions within them which could occasion substantial benefits to
the US (DCID 4/6, para. 3 c)).
Approved For Release : ITRDP61-00549R000100100011-2
 Approved For Release : P61-00549R000100100011-2
IAC-?D-50/8
First Revision
5 March 1957
A. Non-Sino-Soviet Bloc nuclear energy research and
development; the production of fissionable materials and the use of
such materials for weapons or other purposes.
B. Significant scientific and technological developments in
Western Europe which affect directly the military and economic
potential.
Approved For Release 1-RDP61-00549R000100100011-2