IDEALIST OPERATIONAL SUMMARY AND STATUS (DECEMBER 1966)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP68B00724R000200170020-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 6, 2002
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: January 2, 1966
• Content Type: MF

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I. General Summary
A. There were no.Agency U-2 overflight missions during
the month of December.
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IDEALIST
OPERATIONAL SUMMARY AND STATUS
B. On 7 December Article 348 experienced a sharp wing
roll-off and as a result, all aircraft were restricted to
flights not requiring use of the autopilot. Article 348
was delivered to Lockheed for investigation and analysis
of the autopilot system. The aircraft was instrumented
and test flown several times, but the malfunction could
not be duplicated. Although exact cause of the malfunc-
tion could not be determined, corrective action was to
tighten the specifications of the entire system and
especially the precession rates of the gyro platform.
An additional safety factor under consideration is instal-
lation of a fault monitor system designed to prevent rapid
displacement of the aircraft and to provide warning to the
pilot when an autopilot malfunction occurs. If tests of
the fault monitor system prove satisfactory, all of the
Detachment "H" aircraft will have the system installed by
15 January 1966, and installation of the packages in
Detachment "G" aircraft to be accomplished as equipment
becomes available.
C. the Agency agreed to the
resumption of the canned route system on 10 December. The
initial fifteen canned routes
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on 23 December.
II. Product Improvement
A. Results of the new paint scheme for the Articles
continued to be favorable. Tests were conducted in the
field and reports submitted on adherence and durability
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qualities of the paint under field environments. The paint
has good adherence properties, although some slight peeling
was noted on exposed leading edge surfaces. Lockheed developed
.and released the procedures to be used by the field for touch-
up and upkeep of these areas using a "3M" velvet coating appli-
cation.
B. The dynamotor power supply used in the ARC-34 communi-
cations equipment aboard the Articles are being replaced with
solid state power supply. The solid state power power source
will eliminate the sparking and carbon residuals associated
with the dynamotor type equipment. Project depot is obtaining
the solid state models on a high priority basis.
C. Additional test flights of the J75-13B engine were
performed during this period with Article 349. Performance
of the "B" engine continues to be most favorable. Test
flights were made on 6, 9, and 14 December with full internal
fuel loads. No wing buffeting was encountered on these tests
during the climb schedule. Lockheed reports indicate the
Article and engine performance as acceptable for normal
operations. Lockheed is continuing exploration of the "B"
engine operation at altitudes below 30,000 feet with com-
pressor bleed valves open.
D. Lockheed was requested to expeditiously provide auto-
pilot fault monitors for each of the Articles, to include
installation kits and spare sets. This requirement resulted
from the series of tests that were conducted for isolation of
the recent autopilot problems. This fault analyzer monitors
the various autopilot attitude, surface positions, and air-
craft rate signal sources.
E. Lockheed performed a number of flight tests using a
proposed Mach .685 climb schedule. Intent is to compare and
evaluate this schedule against the standard prescribed climb
schedule. Reports were received, however, further evaluations
need to be performed before a final firm conclusion can be
arrived at. The pilot making the initial tests expressed no
preference between the two schedules.
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F. AT-400 equipment was due to be returned to Lockheed
from the vendor for installation during the first week of
January. Primarily, the problems in the AT-400 seemed to
stem from the 490T coupler, which has subsequently been
modified to correct the problem. Lockheed personnel indi-
cate optimism over the future test results.
G. Tests were performed and consideration given to
installing a voice activated tape recorder in the cockpit.
Problems that have been encountered are in "setting" the
sensitivity adjustments. If not sensitive enough, the
recorder will not activate properly. However, a too sensi-
tive adjustment permits even normal breathing to activate
the equipment.
H. The Doppler system was installed this month. However,
the vendor anticipated problems with the antenna coaxial
cable, which is routed through a high vibration area, and the
antenna installation, which requires movement of the System
9B antennas, movement of the aft-looking 9B antenna creates
antenna pattern distortion. Lockheed is continuing efforts
to establish a proper placement that will reduce or eliminate
the distortion problems.
1. The Wilcox 914 IFF (ATC) Transponder testing was con-
tinued through this period. This unit appears to answer many
of the IFF needs not available through present equipment.
Decision was made to mount the transponder in the forward
wheel well, where the time code generator is presently located.
This generator will be moved to the nose area with a remote
reset switch in the external power supply.
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