PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00159R000400150011-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 25, 2006
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: October 15, 1973
• Content Type: MF

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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.
,, J. X.
Brigadier General, USAF
Director of Special Activities
II
6457- 73) 25X1
CLASSIMI) i,
SC-IEf:!i;> C` L ~, : C;?T GORY:
t o In ofc)
Impossible to Determine
(unless i:::;osz;',t ..:;t dac or event)
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? IDEALIST V
SAS/O/OSA
D/CRP
D/CRP
D/CRP
DDS&T Reg
D/SA
SAS/O/OSA
D/O/OSA
IDEA/O/OSA
INTEL/O/OSA
D/ M/ OSA
AMS/OSA
RB/OSA
(12 October 1973)
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IDEA LIST
OPERATIONAL SUMMARY AND STATUS
(1 July 1973 - 30 September 1973)
A. Nine IDEALIST TACKLE operational missions were alerted
during this period. ~
1~ 11 missions were planned to be own no closer
than nautical miles to the China mainland coast. The following is
a summary of the missions flown:
3. I I 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 prog
and five bonus non-COMIREX tar ets were hotographed.
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4. north of
Shanghai along the north central ina coast. is mission was
designed to collecti photo information utilizing the
"H" camera configuration. The mission was flown as briefed
with no unusual activities or sightings reported. Weather was
reported as briefed with 40 percent mission success. Sixty-
seven of 100 programmed targets, seven bonus COMIREX tar ets,
and 14 bonus non-COMIREX tar ets were hotographed. II
B. One mission was flown from)
to obtain standoff photography of coastal oar Vietnam with the "Hry
camera configuration. This mission was planned to approach no closer
than 12 nautical miles from the North Vietnam mainland or offshore
islands. 25X1
and provided the
best peripheral coverage to a e o 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 25X1
information. The mission was flown as briefed with no unusual
activities or sightings reported.
II. GENERAL
A. FRED DOT - One sortie was flown in support of continuing
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Control System Only
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A. Detachment "G" (Edwards AFB - North Base)
Aircraft 2 U-ZR
Pilots
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PILOT AND AIRCRAFT STATUS (AS OF 30 SEPTEMBER 1973)
Aircraft
Operationally Ready
(Standby Status)
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IDEAtLIST
IDEALIST
DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY AND PROGRESS
(1 July 1973 - 30 September 1973)
25X1 I.
IJIRF RAME
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.
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2. After five satisfactory test flights conducted between
27 and 31 August, Serial Number 002 was deployed to Detachment "H"
on 4 September. Following continued flight testing, the configuration
was declared Operationally Ready on 14 September 1973.
Section Z
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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.
"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.
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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
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73,
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
"H" hatch to measure this environmental effect, and two flight
tests were conducted to acquire operational data. This data is
currently being evaluate 1 -1 25x1
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
contractors 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.
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a 25X1
Medical Activities
1. S1010 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 S1010 full pressure suits. This action follows successful
cted in September 1973 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.
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2. Automatic Seat Kit -
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3. S1010 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
I I will also 25X1
be approached for a price estimate on the same item. ThI
has been instrumental in the past in successfully
vacuum pac aging otherwise rather large and bulky items such as
the jungle hammock for inclusion in the U-2R survival seat kit.
I I
1.
L Survival Trainin - Parasail,
tropical, and seacoast survival training was conducted fo 25X1
from 23 July through 5 August 1973
in southern Florida. Physiological training, explosive decompressions,
and pressure suit low pressure chamber flights were also accomplished
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".
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Training Activities
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2. I IL,ife Support Conference - The semiannual Life
Support Conference was AFB, San Antonio, Texas, held at R
on 15 - 16 August 1973. f AMS/OSA, attended this
meeting.
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