PROPOSED AIRBORNE ELINT COLLECTION IN EAST GERMANY -- (Classified)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81B00880R000100270010-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 9, 2000
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: December 27, 1960
• Content Type: MF

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COPY / OF I
2 December 1960
W.MORANDUM FOR: Chief. EL/0
VIA: Chief, MG
SUBJECT: ropos.d Airborne /CLINT Collection
in Last Germany
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1. On IS April 1960 the Director of Communications was
requested to develop equipment for the clandestine intercept of SAM-
related guidance signals believed to be associated with the Soviet
FRUITSZT radar. On 3 May 1960. the Director of Communications
replied indicating that he was proceedins with the development of an
interim airborne collection system. the GS-29, intended for airborne
courier flights over the Giau area and that it would be designed in
consonance with current estimates of the FRUITSET guidance signal
characteristics. This interim airborne COMO of action isi proposed
as a measure which may produce definitive results at a comparatively
early date and at a minimum cost. An alternate approach to the prob-
lem, which is also being develope& involves the mounting of a series
of clandestine, ground-based signal-sampling operations followed by
the further development and/or modification of collection gear as
indicated by the results of each oposetion, all leading to a successive-
stage assembly of information concerning the target. This clandes-
tine, ground-based approach is technically difficult, and by its very
nature will consume considerable time in achieving final results. In
contrast, (,Cs CS-29 airborne proposal provides for the use of on-
the-shelf gear. In a discussion on 13 July 1960 among representatives
of EIL, OC, and IUD, the OC proposal, was recognised as a gamble
but a worthwhile one because, among ELINT collection plans being
implemented or considered. it alone offered immediate access to the
target and consequently some chance of early solution to this collection
problem.
2. Recently OC has advised 71/0 that the CS-29 is expected to
be ready for shipment to Germany during the last week of December 1960.
//
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Prior to shipment, the system will have been subjected to tests by the
manufacturer as well as by OC. Regarding the desirability of conduct-
ing further tests of the equipment employing an air platform against a
U.S.similar installation, OC has stated and we concur that:
a. U.S. SAM installations are inappropriate for such testa
in that the known characteristics of U.S. guidance systems are
at such variance with the assumed Soviet SAM characteristics
that the special system developed to collect against FRUITSET
would be useless against U.S. installations. Therefore, testing
of the gear against U.S. installations is not merited.
b. Those components of the system most vulnerable to
damage by vibration have previously been subjected to "shake-
table" tests. Therefore, the system is thought to be not liable
to malfunction because of platform vibration.
c. The unit is carefully masked against internally generated
noise. Further testing and analysis to "finger-print the charac-
teristics of electromagnetic radiations peculiar to the gear and
its air platform should wait for the installation of the gear aboard
its platform aircraft.
d. It is possible for the field to fabricate a signal generator
to simulate FRUITSET guidance emissions so that the gear might
be tested against it. However, the principal doubt related to the
equipment is that the actual FRUITSET characteristics do not
fall within the tolerances established by OSI. The chance of col-
lection failure through malfunction of the CS-29 after it has been
subjected to projected tests is relatively unimportant in com-
parison with the opportunity which might be lost during the con-
struction phase of the new Berlin SAM defensive ring while the
expected environment is being simulated and testing performed.
These reasons favor a decision to ship the collection system to
Germany for installation and deployment without delay.
3. It is envisioned that the operation will be carried out by per-
sonnel of jointly with those of USAFE. This plan has been dis-
cussed with appropriate officers in Headquarters, USAF. The Air
Force has indicated that aircraft are available which are suitable as
CS-29 platforms and having regular flight schedules between
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=I and Headquarters, USAFE, according to the following:
b.
are
both suitable and either one may be used according to the mutual
convenience of the Installation
and maintenance will be performed by CIA technicians. Use of
the existing antenna facilities on the aircraft or the installation
of new antennas as appropriat, can be arranged between
c. Collection will obtain on each flight of the platform air-
craft. The equipment win be unattended except that it wilt be
turned on by flight personnel for a 30.minute period immediately
before arrival over and after take-off from the field.
Flight personnel will maintain appropriate logs to assist tape
analysis.
25X1A d. Recorder units will be exchati ed between missions and
tapes passed to the for
25X1A read-out, technical evaluation, and analysis.
will provide technical support based on preliminary analysis of
tapes.
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e. will report results of its tape analysis
25X1A for relay to Headquarters via who
will also report the number of missions flown on a weekly basis.
f. A CS-29 success or some other intelligence breakthrough
on the FRUITSET guidance system will probably result in the
modification or replacement of the C549 with other equipment
for complementary collection missions. Should neither event
occur, it is proposed that deployment of the CS-29 be continued
for an extended, but definite, period -- 6 months. At the end of
this time, results will be assessed with a view to deciding
whether: (I) to continue operations without modification to the
CS-29 or its deployment schedule; (2) to modify the CS-29 and/or
deployment schedule and then resume operations; or (3) to dis-
continue operations.
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4. It is recognized that good fortune must attend the deployment
of the CS-29 for successful collection. Nevertheless, a quick reaction
25X1D capability should be available to exploit an initial success. Such
success will confirm the OSI inference that the
a r ? orn ep oyment of tunable equipment manned
by experienced 1.:LINT operators to determine the precise FRUITSET
guidance signal characteristics is seen as the Logical consequence of
a 05-29 success. Between now and the time when a CS-2 ; success
rnay be achieved, some answers to questions related to the FRUITSET
guidance signal may have been provided by other coltection efforts
presently being implemented or under consideration. Such answers
will, of course. modify the tunable equipment requirement and
improve chances for ultimate solution of the Soviet SAM guidance
signal problem. It is believed that USAFE wilt wish to continue col-
lection employing the proposed courier flight and tunable equipment
and probably will wish to augment the coverage using additional
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will wish
to explore the problem of exploiting a 08-29 success with USAF}..:,
considering personnel, electronic and photographic equipment, and
aircraft to be employed. While most of the gear involved is readily
available, some early development of special components may be
called for to avoid prolonged delay between initial success and follow-
up. Headquarters will provide any assistance requested.
5. It is recommended that the Director of Communications be
25X1A authorized to ship the CS-29 to the
delay. It Is further recommended t the
25X1A be directed to authorize the to make the contacts and
25X1A detailed arrangements according to the general guidance set forth in
Paragraph 3 above. For its part. Headquarters, USAF, has indicated
it will instruct USAFE to cooperate with the in this
endeavor.
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6. This project has been designated for internal CIA
use. The community cryptonyrn is For purposes of pre-
paring a project outline and obtaining the necessary funds, a commu-
nications annex is attached covering the initial phase of the project,
that is, the deployment of the CS-29 for one year.
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