PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP33-02415A000800030002-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 18, 2002
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: January 18, 1973
• Content Type: MF

TOP SECRET
Approved For Fase 2002/ 8/12 :
- 33-02415A800030002-7
1 17
25X1
9226-73/1 25X1
NRO REVIEW COMPLETED Copy 6 of 12
16 JAN 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 October 1972 -
31 December 1972,
B VAN,:/ .
Brigadier General, USAF
Director of Special Activities
Attachment
As stated r
P380-73)
25X1
25X1
1 t~~a ... ..a.. ai~..a.l .......~... ....~ Jib
Impossible to Determine
(unless icte or event)
~pproved For Release 2002 ' .
25X1
 TOP SECRET
Approved For Rt ase 2002/0
25X1
226-73/1 25X1
Page 2
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
[8 January 1973)
25X1
~pproved For Release 200 ' :~~3-02415A0008000
 TOP SECRET
Approved For De Mase 2002/98112 : - 33-024151 W 800030002-7
25X1
6380-73 25X1
(1 October 1972 - 31 December 1972)
Nine IDEALIST/TACKLE operational missions were alerted during
this period. Eight were flown, one was cancelled by Project Head-
quarters for weather. All missions were planned to be flown no closer
than 25 nautical miles to the China mainland coast. Following is a
summary of missions completed:
1. Mission C342C was flown on 5 October 1972 off the central
China coast from the Shantung Peninsula south to Shanghai. Photo
interpretability was fair, however, 70 of 85 programmed targets,
19 bonus COMIREX and five bonus non-COMIREX targets were
covered for a total of 94 targets covered.
2. Mission C352C, flown on 6 October 1972, covered targets
along the south China coast and the eastern coast of Hainan Island.
Photo interpretability was fair and 75 targets were covered of
which 45 were bonus.
3. Mission C362C, flown on 12 October 1972, covered targets
along the north China coast with primary target interest in the area
of the Shantung Peninsula. Cloud cover was estimated at 1%,
resulting in coverage of 71 targets, of which 59 were programmed,
Mission C372C was flown on 20 October 1972
pproved For Release 200
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
~J/V n`n`~~~~~UU LJ/\ I
XXX {NX''
X
 TOP SECRET
Approved For Fase 2002/18/12 : CIA-RD033-02415Ao800030002-7 25X1
6380-73
Section 1
Page 2
Mission C382C, flown on 27 October 1972,
Mission C392C, flown on 11 November 1972,
7. Mission C402C, flown on 18 November 1972, covered
targets along the southern coast of the Shantung Peninsula and
south to Shanghai. A total of 91 targets were covered of which
75 were programmed and 16 were bonus.
Mission C422C, flown on 20 December 1972,
A. L RED DOT - Three sorties were flown in support of continuing
film tests using various film types and camera configurations.
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
C. Lens - Ten sorties were flown to test the second color
correcte ens for the "H" configuration. Two sorties were flown as
base line tests for the color corrected "B" lens.
pproved For Release 200
25X1
 TOP SECRET
Approved For Rase 2002/g8/12 : CIA-RDPI33-02415A0800030002-7
6380-73
Section 1
Pag e 3
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
an exercise deployment of one U-2R Two 25X1
training sorties were accomplished, followed by redeployment to
Edwards AFB, California.
PILOT AND AIRCRAFT STATUS (AS OF 31 DECEMBER 1972)
A. Detachment "G" (Edwards AFB - North Base)
B. Detachment "H"
25X1
25X1
25X1
pproved For Release 2002
13-02415A0008000~
 Approved For Rase 200 -
T_QP_ SECRET
6380-73
IDEALIST
DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY AND PROGRESS
(1 October 1972 - 31 December 1972)
AIRFRAME
A. J-75P13B Engine - The installation of improved third stage
turbine blades to increase engine life expectancy has continued during
this quarter. Additionally, improved first stage turbine blades have
been developed and will be installed in all engines as overhauls become
due, and new blades become available. Engine Serial Number 612609
was the first to be modified with new first stage blades on 3 November
1972.
B. U-2R Flight Test and Operational Training Summary
1. IDEALIST Program accomplishments in U-2R aircraft
since introduction include 10, 094. 9 hours on 3082 sorties as of
31 December 1972.
2. Flight test and operational data are depicted below:
1 OCT-31 DEC
FLIGHTS
1 OCT-31 DEC
TIME
1 - 051
44
114. 2
2-053
44
121.6
3 - 054
42
184. 2
4 - 055
46
153.8
A. "rH" Configuration - The new lens installed in "H" Serial
Number 002 produced unsatisfactory results during flight testing and
qualification. The configuration was returned to the contractorts
pproved For Release 200-02415A0008000
f I UP :5ECRU-
25X1
25X1
25X1
 25X1
TOP SECRET
Approved For IW'ease 200 /08/12 : CIA- P33-02415AW0800030002-7
Section 2
Page 2
25X1
25X1
25X1
facility for engineering evaluation in early December, and should be
available for flight testing again in January 1973.
B. "B" Configuration - The first of two new F/8 lenses for the
B-3 camera was ready for installation on 16 December 1972. The
system will start flight test toward qualification during January/
February 1973. The second lens is scheduled for completion in
March 1973. If this schedule holds, the camera will be flight tested
during the fourth quarter.
6380- 73
C. Camera - OSA will provide technical and
contractural support to OSP and the NRO during the proposed acquisition
of a second F3. 5 Apochromatic lens, and variable slit modifications to
the scan heads of this camera. OSA involvement is expected to continue
until the third quarter of FY 1974.
Approved For Release 20
MINMI
IXXNx
25X1
25X1
 TOP SECRET
Approved For F%W+ease 2002 8/12: CIA-R P33-02415^b800030002-7
6380-73
Section 2
Page 3
25X1
E. Vulnerability Studies - This joint OEL, OSI, and OSA
project initiated during the first quarter of FY 1973, is continuing.
During the second quarter, OSI has reviewed the threat to the U-ZR,
and simulation studies are planned for the third quarter.
25X1 Iv.
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
SUPPLY
A staff assistance visit was made to Detachment "H" during
October 1972. Discussions with personnel and review of supply
procedures, and audited records indicated an effective and efficient
operation.
AERO MEDICAL AND LIFE SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
1. LJ Office of ELINT Briefing - The OSA Medical Staff
presente medical briefings to OEL students on high altitude
physiology. I IC/AMS/OSA, served as the
attending flight surgeon during the low pressure chamber
indoctrination flights.
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2002 I2 :'(9FCTM3-02415A0008000
 Approved For Rase 2002TOP SECRE 73
6380-73 25X1
Section 2
Page 4
25X1
Life Support Activities
25X1
25X1
25X1
1. Low Flight Ventilation Unit - The redesigned ventilation
inlet has now been incorporated into the low flight harness assembly.
By doing this, the aircraft vent hose will be compatible with both
the low flightvent unit and the 51010 Pilot Protective Assembly
(PPA) Full Pressure Suit.
2. Olive-Green Nomex Fabric - The standard olive-green
nomex fabric used to fabricate the outer cover of the 51010 PPA
is no longer available. A new vendor has been located who can
supply a similar nomex material of a slightly harder finish and
this will be used on all future 51010 PPA outer covers.
3. Pilot Transfer Van - The Edwards AFB Physiological
Support facility recently declared one of their pilot transfer vans
excess and Detachment "H" Life Support has added it to their
Stock List of Equipment. This will now satisfy the IDEALIST
mission requirements, and it will be unnecessary to reclaim the
transfer van previously loaned to the Air Force U-2 Program at
Davis-Monthan AFB.
4. Automatic Seat Kit - A proposal submitted by the
I I for improvement of the automatic
seat kit hardware has been approved during this quarter. Both
customers agree the effort is of great value and money was
appropriated e uall from the Air Force U-2 and the IDEALIST
or the design and R&D
of the automatically deployment feature which will be added to the
Standard U-ZR Survival Seat Kit.
Programs.
5. Display - In early October 1972 the Cuban Missile Crisis
display was opened at the CIA Headquarters Building. Included in
this presentation was the entire Life Support Assembly worn and
carried by the Agency U-2 pilots during their early missions over
Cuban targets. Although much of the equipment is outdated and
antiquated by today's U-ZR standards, it does give an accurate
historical account of Life Support equipment ten years ago.
pproved For Release 2002-02415A0008000
NMN
25X1
25X1
 25X1 Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800030002-7
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Approved For Release 2002/08/12 : CIA-RDP33-02415A000800030002-7