PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00285R000200050010-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 19, 2004
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: November 15, 1973
• Content Type: MF

TOP SECRET 1r, OCT 1973
ogy 01
15 O CT 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.
Wh,NDELIY L. V , R.
Brigadier General, U I SAF
Director of Special Activities
Attachment
As stated
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NRO review(s) completed.
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SAS/O/OSA
Distribution:
1 - D/CRP
2 - D/CRP
3 - D/CRP
4 - DDS&T Reg
5 - D/ SA
6- SAS/O/OSA
7 - D/O/OSA
8 - IDEA/O/OSA
9 - INTEL/O/OSA
10 - D/M/OSA
11 - AMS/OSA
12 - RB/OSA
(12 October 1973)
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IDEALIST
OPERATIONAL SUMMARY AND STATUS
(1 July 1973 - 30 September 1973)
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A. Nine IDEALIST TACKLE operational missions were alerted
during this period.
All missions were planned to be flown no closer
than n57-tical miles to the China mainland coast. The following is
a summary of the missions flown:
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3. Mission C283C was flown Ialong the south 25X1
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and five bonus non-COMIREX targets were photographed.
areas were obscured by clouds. Twenty-seven of 86 programmed
China coast and Hainan Island. The mission was flown to collect
1 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
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4. Mission C303C was flown
Shanghai along the north central China coast. This mission was
designed to collect 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 tam
and 14 bonus non-COMIREX targets were photographed.
B. One mission was flown
to obtain standoff photography of coastal North Vietnam with the "H"
camera configuration. This mission was planned to approach no closer
than 12 nautical miles from the North Vietnam mainland or offshore
islands.
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Mission S033E was flown and provided the 25X1
best peripheral coverage to date of 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
information. The mission was flown as briefed with no unusual
activities or sightings reported.
I I
A.
film test
GENERAL
RED DOT - One sortie was flown in support of continuing
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C. B-3 Lens Test - Nine sorties were flown in support of the
modified "'B" configuration.
D. "H" Lens Test - Five sorties were flown to test the mirror
and lens installations.
E. F-JIRIS Hatch - Two sorties were flown to test fore and aft
photography comparison.
F. - Three sorties were flown to provide
photography in support of this test program.
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G. COMPASS TRIP - Five sorties were flown over the poppy
field tes si es.
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PILOT AND AIRCRAFT STATUS (AS OF 30 SEPTEMBER 1973)
A. Detachment "G" (Edwards AFB North Base)
B. Detachment "H"
Aircraft
Pilots
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IDEALIST
DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY AND PROGRESS
(1 July 1973 - 30 September 1973)
I AIRFRAME
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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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-2R Flight Test and Operational Training Summary
1. IDEALIST Program accomplishments in U-ZR 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 1 JUL-30 SEP
FLIGHTS TIME
I - 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.
2. After five satisfactory test flights conducted between
27 and 31 August, Serial Number 002 was deployed to Detachment '"HI'
on 4 September. Following continued flight testing, the configuration
was declared Operationally Ready on 14 September 1973.
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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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1. On 19 Jul 1 73, consulted withi f the 25X1
I I in an attempt to define the cause of the ghost
image anoma y evil enced 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 evaluated by
C. "B" Cameras
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
contractor's plant as scheduled 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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AERO MEDICAL AND LIFE SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
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B. I ILife Support Activities
1. 51010 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 51010 full pressure suits. This action follows successful
completion of test parachute drops conducted in September 1973
2. Automatic Seat Kit - The terrain radar sensing 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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3. 51010 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.
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4. Contractor Briefing - 25X1
the contractor for all of the SI010 PPA hardware, conducted
a management briefing for the SENIOR YEAR contracts personnel
at Warner Robins AFB, Georgia, on 25 September 1973. Purpose
of this briefin was to explain and review management changes
within during the past five years. Headquarters _-
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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
to fabricate a small number of bags. 25X1
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fuill also
be approached for a price estimate on the same item.
I has been instrumental in the past in success u y
vacuum packaging otherwise rather large and bulky items such as
the jungle hammock for inclusion in the U-ZR survival seat kit.
C. I Training Activities
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2. ILife Support Conference - The semiannual Life
Support Con erence was held at Brooks AFB, San Antonio, Texas,
on 15 - 16 August 1973. f AMS/OSA, attended this
meeting.
3. Dilbert Dunker Training -
AMS/O , conducted the Dilbert Dunker training exercise at
Miramar NAS, San Diego California., from 17 - 19 September 1973
for all IDEALIST pilots. Detachment "G"
Commander, and Detachment "G"
Flight Surgeon, also participate in the exercise.
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