OPERATIONAL CONCEPTS FOR IDEALIST (FY 1968-73 AND OXCART (FY 68-FIRST SIX MONTHS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP71B00263R000200140008-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 25
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 1, 2003
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: February 17, 1967
• Content Type: MF

25X1
Approved For Release 2003/12/18 : CIA-RDP71 B00263R000200140008-5
TOP SECRET
25X1
Copy 2 of 2
17 FEB 1967
M MOTRANDUM FOR: Comptroller, Office of Special Activities
SUBJECT: Operational Concepts for IDEALIST (FY 1968-73)
and OXCART (FY 68-First Six Months)
1. Forwarded for your information and guidance are
the Operational Concepts for the OXCART and IDEALIST programs.
Colonel,
Deputy for Operations, OSA
SAS/O/OSA s (17 Feb 67)
Distribution:
#1 - CO PT/OSA
#2 - D/O/OSA (w/o att)
#3 - RB/OSA (w/o att)
Series.B Distribution:
#1 - OXC /O /O SA
#2 - IDEA/O/OSA
25X1A9A
NRO DECLASSIFICATION/RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS ON FILE
25X1
GROUP 1
Excluded from autcrnatie
downgr cir:' end
decl~ssifi , li :n
Approved For Release 2003/12/18 : CIA-RDP71 B00263R000200140008-5
25X1A9A
25X1
 .Approved For. Release 2003/1) - P71 B00263R000200140008-5
IDEALIST OPERATIONAL CONCEPT
FY-1968,__1969 AND
CONSOLIDATED CONCEPT FOR FY-1970 THRU 1973
1. MISSION AND MISSION PLANNING
a. Mission: To conduct covert reconnaissance (phote..?:?,;:;
.graphic and electronic)'over denied and hostile territory,.
for peripheral reconnaissance, on a world-wide basis in
support of the national intelligence objectives
United States.
b. Areas over which aerial reconnaissance is to be
'conducted are determined by the National Intelligence
Community as expressed by the USIB and COMOR.
c. Mission planning and control of reconnaissance'
flights will be accomplished by Project. Headquarters
the limits imposed by approval authorities.
2. REQUIREMENTS
a. It is.assumed that the life expectancy of the U-2
will extend beyond FY-66, operating in the same general.
areas as at present--China, North Korea, Sino-Indian Border.,
Southeast Asia,?and wherever else a requirement may be
generated..
TOP SECRET.
Approved for Release '2003/12/1 CIA- P.7IBO4263R000200149 08-5
 b. Beyond 1961, the requirement for the U-2 becomes
less clear as to identification of specific target areas.
Approved For. Release 2003/1_
It can be assumed, however, that'the international scene;
will be no less parlous than it is now, and that crises
America, Africa, the. Middle East and Indonesia. Therefore
for covert reconnaissance. They could occur in South
will continue to arise which will generate requirements
response, there will exist a requirement for U-2's for
for reasons of mobility, economy, reliability and quick
some years to come,
c. Although requirements for specific target coverage
cates that the total number of operational missions re-
can change drastically from timelto time, experience indi
identified target areas and specific targets in the Far
quired for any given year remains fairly constant. Presently`
East will require 70 operational missions per year to obtain
for these targets, it is assumed that at least fifteen
the desired coverage. In addition to the missions required.,
additional missions will.be generated
.coverage of targets in other areas of
yet, have not been identified for U-2
requirement . (eighty-five
prn~icrl FQr C2eJe
A
a 7OQ3I12'/''~ D71 B002G3R0002(1fT~t'df1f108
p
a
 missions per year) is not expected to diminish through-
Approved For Release.2003/12/'IQrc B '1 00263R0O0200140008-5
siderations and other factors combine to preclude a-,'-
seldom satisfied. Unfavorable weather, political con
the IDEALIST program indicates that requirements are
e. Experience gained from the first ten years of
FY-64.
missions during this ten-year period is forty-eight (48)
annual average number of operational reconnaissance.
number of missions will be accomplished each year during
out, however, that should IDEALIST assets be. employed in
the period covered by this paper. It should be pointed
a tactical situation, this number.,of operational missions
would increase considerably.
Air Force Base, California,. but is required to maintain
a. Detachment "G" is permanently located at Edwards
3. ASSETS
a dual staging capability to conduct ope-rational missions
as may be required anywhere in the world. 'Additionally,
this. detachment retains the responsibility for the conduc.
of continuing development- programs. for new.equipment and,
;TOP SECRET
Approved FdtriR leap 2003/12/18
25X1
25X1
and it is reasonable to assume that approximately this
 Approved.For Release 2003/ 71 B00263R000200140008-5
tactics, and for the training of replacement personnel.
b. Detachment "H" is permanently located at
This detachment is manned with U.S. supervisors,:
maintenance and special equipment technicians and
rotated from Detachment "G" to Detachment "11" on a
and to conduct unilateral operational missions. A full
temporary duty basis to function as instrictor pilots
c. Project IDEALIST has semi-permanently located
augment.that operations staff on deployments.
for the use of one flight planner from Detachment."G" to..
time requirement will continue to exist at Detachment "H"
for the purpose of establishing a quick reaction U-2
at
mission launch and/or recovery capability.
d. Any Project IDEALIST deployments'to
prepositioned there has been withdrawn and stored at.
in the future will entail quite a bit of airlift
support as the useable equipment and materiel previously
Adequate'safeguards and mainte
nance of equipment was not performed at
e. Project IDEALIST is actively considering pre-
positioning various equipment fuel and other assets at
TO SECRET
Approved For Reh 003/,12 18 :. ~71?~O0263RO00200140908;-5'
 Approved For-.F2elea'se 2003/'MP :Sf.(-&*p71B002631R000200140008-5
other possible bases throughout the world, primarily to
..reduce the reaction time now required to deploy a detach-
ment for covert reconnaissance purposes.
(1) Project IDEALIST is pressing forward on
mission should be in March 1961. Pilot training,.
.as well as maintaining this program, will continue,
through FY-68.
(2) Additional requirements for
maintenance and manning of this equipment will be
accomplished at Detachment "G". The capability to
deploy this equipment to Detachment "H" or another
staging base within thirty (30) days will be maintained.
. To.maintain mission capability due to. improved air.
Approved For ele ,200. /12/18 :LGIABDJ 71Bp0263R000200140008-5
 Approved'For Release'2003/12/
IDEALIST assets, a continuing requirement exists for
X71 B00263ROO0200140008-5 2.5X1''
defense capabilities of the opposition, and also improve
improved detection systems, defense systems and collection
(oblique) is necessary, with a range of greater than.,:
25 nautical miles,
target is protected by SA-2 missile sites.
(2) The entire fleet of IDEALIST aircraft will-
be equipped with a doppler navigation system early
in FY-68. A continuing requirement will then exist
for factory qualified specialists to maintain this
equipment at Detachment "G"'and Detachment "H".,
(3) Improved air.-defense capabilities over
denied territory have made, it mandatory that the
performance characteristics of the U-2. be improved
contribute to tho offoctivonoss of tho mission and
program, the removing of equipment that does not
.altitude.must be achieved. The weight reduction
An increase in aircraft range, coupled with a decrease',',
in time required to climb to a safe penetration
replacing present equipmen.t,'where
TOP SECRET
25X1
 Approved For Release 2003/12NP-kfAffl B00263R000200140008-5
TO EGRET
Approved For Rely.ise 2003/12118: CIA-RD 71 B00 6380002.001:40008-5
smaller and lighter equipment that will perform the,
same function, has only partially accomplished the
desired results. This program. must be vigorously
continued.
A U-2 Flight Simulator is required at each
detachment ;:location.;- This" requirement. is based upon.,;
 Approved For Release
1A-RDP71 60026000200140008-5
4 R
the position that Project IDEALIST is now in, that:
of training new and inexperienced pilots for U-2
overflight missions in the shortest possible time..
This is particularly appropriate in
detachment where the pilots are rotated after they
have flown ten overflight missions or are in the
detachment for eighteen months. The use of a real-
istic simulator would not only shorten the flight
training required of a pilot before,he reaches an
operational ready status, but would contribute
considerably to maintaining' the pilots at their peak'
performance level at all times. With a simulator
at each detachment it is not. inconceivable. that the,
training pilots receive from it could reduce the
Project's aircraft loss to a large degree. This
requirement would particularly apply to the U-2R
when they are brought into the inventory.
A high resolution oblique camera effective
at ranges of 35 nautical miles to 50 nautical miles
is required to obtain photographic coverage of
targets heavily defended with Surface-to-Air Missiles.
One camera'of this type. is now available on loan from
Approved For;,Refease-2003/1
-RDP7:1 B0,02631OO0200140008-5
 Approved For Release 2003/1' ()p: _EC-R 71'B'OO263ROOO20014OO08-5
0
(7) IDEALIST requires a device that will record
and transmit information concerning aircraft difficul-
ties leading to an accident, which would be auto-
matically ejected from the aircraft after a disaster
has occurred.
(8) An improved ejection system (Rocket Seat)
needed for. low altitude ejections and improved pilot
safety.
(9)ti With addition of equipment the aircraft cock
pit has grown smaller to the point where switches must
accomplished for the U-2R model.
redesigned cockpit is required. This has been
be moved that can't even be seen. An enlarged, and
~Ja (10) Full pressure suits will be used in the U-2R.
Procurement and replacement of these suits plus
additional support equipment and personnel, spares,
studies'and'modifications will exist throughout the
life of this aircraft. Liquid oxygen facilities will
be required also. The above is based on the assumption
that allocation of..U-2R's will be made.to this Head
 Approved For Release 2003/To $ SS?MP71 B00263R0002001'40008-5
0
25X1A6A
area. Since many of these targets are located beyond
and those in mainland China, except the Sino-Indian Border
for obtaining coverage of all COMOR targets in North Korea;'.
the maximum range of the U-2, when operating
frequent pre/post strike stagings, utilizing bases in
elude stereotyped mission profiles,
permit widely varied penetration and exit points and pre
to providing coverage of distant targets,.the stagings will:`,-
Edwards AFB. Past experience indicates we can expect
b. All operational missions flown by Detachment "G"
will launch/recover at an operating location other than
approximately six such deployments per year,,for an average.
once each year,-the detachment will'be required to operate
c. It is not unreasonable to assamethat at least
duration of thirty days' each.
refueling,? communications and air..` rescue. support, and
react to requirements in minimum time.
e. KC-135 tanker aircraft will be used for air
be accomplished to enable the operating detachments 1. to
d. Pre-positioning of assets at forward sites will'
.from'a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.
Approved For 12ele~so'2003/12
8002a63 R000200'140008-5 .
 Approved For Release 2003/12-TOP Ti B00263R000.200'140008-5
ment requiring more thin one ferry flight.
6., OPERATIONAL MISSION CONCEPT
and enroute support personnel for each ovei'water deploy
to provide transportation for the enroute support kit
Missions will average seven hours in duration.
will use either 2000, 4000 or 6500 ft. rolls of film..
c. Photo missions with ITEK Delta III Camera are
b. Photo missions with the Hycon "B" Configuration
possible that on a specific mission 7800 ft. rolls be
generally planned for' 5000 ft. 'rolls of film, but it is
d. Photo missions with the Hycon "H" Configuration:,
will use 2000 ft. rolls of film.
imately ten missions'per year.
e. 'Droppable fuel tanks will be required for approx
f. Although operational missions will be flown when
of this paper, they will be flown at:the rate of, approx-
weather in the target area will permit, for the purposes,
for air refueling of. mission aircraft.
coverage required, KC-135 or KC-97 aircraft will be used'
g. From time to time, because of specific target
imately four per month.
Approved Fqr Release 2003(12.0
.BO0263R0002'0014Q008-5
 Approved For ele ise
MIA-RbP7 i B00263R000200140008-5
.h. System III and System VI, or suitable replacements,,
will be utilized on all operational missions.
The MARK IIA, Oscar Sierra, will be.a.necessity
on all operational overflight missions.
k. A lightweight tracker camera,, when available, will
be carried on all operational missions.
1. All operational missions over CHICOM territory,
whenever feasible, will have a minimum penetration altitude
of 69,000 feet and planned.for random turns as.protection
against enemy interceptors.'
7. AIRCRAFT
a. A minimum of seven U-2 aircraft, equipped with
J-75 engines and.standard wiring configurations, to allow
complete interchangeability of equipment, are required.
A seven aircraft inventory will allow Detachment "H" at
three aircraft for operational missions;
three aircraft will be utilized by
Edwards AFB in support.of the
TOP SECRET
Approved .For Release'200 IA-RlP71B00263R000200140008-5
 Approved. For Release 20031'
aircraft will normally be at Lockheed Aircraft Corpora-,
tion undergoing IRAN/updating but should be available
capable of being configured for an operational mission
on occasions for use of Detachment "G".- It will 'be
within seven days. A bonus, of 120 hours per year' is
possible if we assume that the seventh aircraft will be
b. Past history of the U-2 program indicates that'
available to Detachment "G" one third of the time.
..aircraft losses can be expected at a rate of one each
the assumed life expectancy of the U-2 program a require
of a temporary nature. Based on the known loss rate and
been modified.to Agency configuration. This solution is
be replaced from USAF assets after these aircraft have
eight months. 'It is assumed that a force level of
seven aircraft will be maintained.' Lost aircraft can
mont exists for the purchase of additional,,U-2's similar
8. FLYING HOURS
improved versions of the U-2 aircraft.
to those in the present inventory or the purchase of
a. Flying hours accomplished, and techniques employed
during operational reconnaissance missions, will be credited,
to the . training, program for the detachment and.the individ-.
uals.~'concerned. In addition, a continuous flying training:
 Approved Fqr Release 20 2/&GEDP7'1'BOO263kO00'2'00146008-5 .
(2) Twenty hours per month for each operationally.
pilot until an operational ready status is attained.
(1) Thirty hours per month for each mission
ready mission pilot until he-has a total of 200 flying
(3)'.A minimum of, 'ten hours per month,for each
mission- pilot after he has a total of ' 200.flying.
hours in the U-2 aircraft.
require a minimum of .ten hours per month.to.retain?.
(4)' Each maintenance flight test pilot. will
the desired level.of proficiency.
(5) Training of
a minimum of 60 hours each prior, to being designated
Category III operational.ready:_status.
. ;'Flying hours available are,computed on'the basis
0
program will be conducted by each detachment to assure
the capability to conduct reconnaissance operations on a
missions, train two to fours Iyearly'and
to maintain pilot-proficiency are based on the following
criteria:
 Approved For Release 2dC1'3f11-RDPi1B00263R000200140'008-5.
of thirty five hours per month for.each aircraft avail-
d. An estimate of the flying hours available versus
flying hours, required, from the first half of FY-68 through
FY-69, is indicated below in six month increments. It
to enable us to operate within the flying hours available.
notes during each period to reflect adjustments necessary;'
should be noted that the requirements are modified by foot
e. A consolidation of'available flying hours and'
required flying hours is provided,for FY-1970 through
FY-1973 based on a seven aircraft inventory'and no
reduction in number of pilots.
f. Flying hours for Detachment "H" are -lomputed so
as to maintain the detachment I loperational-ready
pilot strength at a force level of 5. As these pilots
are on a combat. tour of either ten U-2 overflight missions
,or eighteen months there will always be a
TOP SECRET
App.roved'For.Release''2003/1 18 : CIA RDp71 B000263R0,0020014,0008.5 25
 7 -
25X1X7 2 -
Approved,For Releas6`20031121TP
. Detachment "G"
1.,'Flying hours available
2. Flying-hours required
1, - Maintenance Flight Test Pilot, , 60
3. Difference between available hours and required will
Detachment "H" or by reducing:.time allocated to
operational ready pilots.
Detachment."H"
1.' Flying hours available
2. Flying hours required
25X1X7 ' 3
TOP SECRET
Approved. Edr Release 2003%12/18 ' IA-RDP .1;B0'0263R00020,0.140O08-5
 25X1
3. Difference between available hours and required will.
be used for proficiency flying, operational missions and for
25X.1'C the
is TDY 'at .Detachment
5X1
25X1
Approved For Release IQ~1y4-RDP71 B00263R000200140008-5
 Flying hours available'
Flying-hours required
7 -
1 - Maintenance Flight Test Pilot,"' 60
Detachment "H" or by reducing time allocated to, the
2.5X1 c, be voided when
Approved For Rerease 2003/1V11PP
3. Difference between available hours and required will.
Detachment "H"
1. Flying hours available
2. Flying hours required
25X1X7 3 -.Operational Ready
 Approved For Release 2003JTZP~1
P71 B00263R000200140008-5
25X1 C
when he,is TDY..at Detachment
5X1 C
3. Difference between available hours and required will
be used for proficiency flying and for the
 Approved' For Release 2 PYf.I. , ? . `f'A-RDP71 B002'6.3R000200140008-5
Detachment "G".
1. Flying hours available
2. Flying hours required
120
60
2.- pilots in training 120
3. Hours required this period exceed hours available
Detachment "H"
and proficiency flights to attain'
200 hours
Additional flying hours?willbe
TOP SECRET
Approyed'For kelease`.20031 l71 RDP71B00263R0Q0200140008-5,
1 - Maintenance Flight Test Pilot
25X1X7
resulting in,extending.the training period'forl
 25X1
25X.1 C
proficiency and the
TDY to Detachment "H".
71 B00263R000200140008-5
OP ECRET
Approved For Flelea~e`2003112/1-8 CIA-RD 71 BOU263RQ'002001;40008-5
 Approved, For Release 2001% UDP71 B00263R0D0200,140008; 5
1 JANUARY - 30 JUNE 1969.
pilots in training
of necessity be reduced thus extending. their training
TOP SECRET",
l - Maintenance Flight Test Pilot
Approved For l~+elease'200311 RDPf1B0026.8F7000200?146008-
 TRDP7.1 B00263R000200140008-5
TOP SECRET
Approved for' ReJe a 2003/12 18 : CIA- DPT1-B00'26.3F 000200'140008-5
 Approued For Release 200~M~~DP71 B00263R000200140008=5
CpNSOLIDATED REQUIREMENT.FOR.~
FY 1970 THRU FY 1973
1 July~1969,- 30 June 1970''.,
LOCATION
Detachment ."G"
Detachment "H'
rrGtt ;
1400
1260 ..~~
2660 ;
;.;1400
1260
?.2660
.:1400
1260
2660,
1400 '
1260
2660