AGENCY ROLE IN OVERHEAD RECONNAISSANCE AND OTHER AERIAL ACTIVITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00159R000200020004-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 23, 2006
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: October 4, 1968
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2006/11/01 : CIA-RDP75B00159R000200020004-4
Approved For Release 2006/11/01 : CIA-RDP75B00159R000200020004-4
 App gved For Release 2006/11/01: CIA-RDP75B00l59R000200020004-4
tSCRET
4 October 1968
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Science and Technology
SUBSECT: Agency Role in Overhead Reconnaissance and
Other Aerial Activities
REFERENCE: Memorandum from D/DCI/NIPS to DD/S&T
dated 11 Sept 1968, Subject: Agency and Community
Organizational Survey
1. This memorandum is for information only.
2. The reference requests the case for continued active
participation by CIA in the design, development, utilization, and
control of technical collection systems including overhead recon-
naissance. This memorandum addresses itself to aircraft recon-
naissance and other Agency aerial collection programs.
3. The Agency has demonstrated by performance during the
past twelve years the expertise necessary to identify, develop and
operate aircraft reconnaissance programs that have proven re-
sponsive in support of national intelligence requirements. Current-
ly, the Agency is providing development management of the U-ZR
weapons system, and has in the past been charged with the leadership
role in the development efforts of the high performance reconnaissance
platform (A-12). CIA success in providing development leadership
in these aircraft reconnaissance systems for the most part is due to
its inherent flexibility and unique streamlined method of management.
Specialized requirements have allowed the Agency to concentrate on
product development without the usual myriad of bureaucratic approv-
al mechanisms.
4. The principal case for continued Agency operation of a
covert manned aircraft reconnaissance program is that a program
of this nature provides the U. S. Government with another intelligence
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gathering option, that of a quick reacting capability to gather
timely intelligence without the charge of military aggression
being sustained. It enables the V. S. Government to operate
in the espionage arena with the assertion that the operation is
truly civilian in character and is operating for the purpose of
satisfying U. S. intelligence requirements which by nature are
usually not aggressive. It provides both the U. S. Government
and the protesting government time and opportunity to negotiate
quietly behind the scenes without overtones of military confronta-
tion.
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6. The CIA channel for command and control of covert
overflights provides higher authority direct and secure control of
operations in sensitive situations. Its direct Headquarters to op-
erating detachment links makes it more responsive to sudden and
unexpected changes in plans than is possible in the more rigid
military command structure. This channel affords the decision-
maker the possibility of eleventh-hour decisions in fast-developing
events.
7. Because the focus is on a single capability, technical
intelligence collection, the CIA has been able to develop higher
performance vehicles and specialized equipments and to operate
with fewer numbers than the military. It also has the advantage
of the close association and rapport that results from having under \,\
one (DD/S&T) roof the capability to develop and operate sophisti-
cated systems, to conduct current vulnerability assessments, and
to develop appropriate counter-measures. It is not distracted
from optimizing vehicle and equipments for the primary mission.
8. Basic to the case for active future Agency participation
in overhead reconnaissance is a reaffirmation of the desirability
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9295-68
to maintain a covert civilian reconnaissance capability in pre-crisis
situations. Until such a determination is made, the Agency cannot
make a final judgment, nor can it properly plan long-range overhead
reconnaissance programs or improvements.
9. Since the reference also calls for proposals for organisa-
tional changes, the following is submitted for consideration. The
published mission for OSA is to develop and operate special technical
collection programs.. It is appropriate to assess the airborne tech-
nical collection programs within the Agency to avoid duplication of
s effort.
Brigadier General, USAF
Director of Special Activities
cc: DD/OSP
.AEO/SAF I hk(4 Oct 68)
Distr:
1 & 2 - DDS&T
3 - DD/OSP
4 - DDS&T Reg
5 - D SA
6 -DDSA
7 - D/O/OSA
8 - RB/OSA
9 - A/EO/SA Chron.
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