CONSTRUCTION AT EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP68B00724R000100080062-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 4, 2002
• Sequence Number: 62
• Publication Date: October 20, 1966
• Content Type: MF

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505
NRO REVIEW COMPLETED
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L_J2794-66
copy /o of is
20 October 1966
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Comptroller, National Reconnaissance Office
SUBJECT Construction at Edwards Air Force Base
base engineer estimates the total additional cost 25X1
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1. The recent approval of the U-2R procurement dictated
a review of responsibilities and procedures necessary for the
orderly development, test and operational use of this aircraft.
One major consideration was to determine where the flight tests
will be conducted. The 3 choices were Palmdale, Edwards AFB
Edwards was by far the most logical and the least
pensive to use, and it has been chosen as the test site.
2. A review of the facilities available at North Base
revealed that a limited amount of construction and rehabilitation
will be necessary to support the test phase in addition to the
normal activity. The major portion of this involves the in-
strument lab which was included in the FY 67 program in the
amount In our memorandum of 14 October 1966, we re-
quested a release of these funds and an authorization to start
construction. In addition to the instrument lab, it will be
necessary to effect certain other improvements to accomodate
the test activity concurrently with normal operations. The NR
a. Hanger #3 is presently used as a warehouse, but
is the only space available to be used as a hanger for
the U-2R and for the LAC tech reps and the test equip-
ment. It will be necessary to provide this building
with new power lines and install compressed air lines,
in addition to general rehabilitation to provide shops,
offir.Ps_ and necessary work space. Costs are estimated
b. The present electrical distribution system at
North Base cannot absorb the additional load required
by the test program. It will be necessary to install
new wiring and transformers capable of bringing additional
power rom the Main,Base to North Base. Cost is estimated
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c. Hanger #3 is presently located outside the
secure area. It will be necessary to relocate the
security fence, provide additional lighting. and add
one new guard post. Costs are estimated
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d. It is estimated that it will costi NRO 25X1
asphalt paving to improve the ramp space an taxi ways
which are presently inadequate for continued aircraft
use.
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3. As we have stated in the past, the procurement of
the U-2R is not expected to result in significant increases
in the cost of the IDEALIST program. The program should
continue at the same general level except for the amounts
specifically authorized for the procurement of the aircraft.
The instrument lab was previously programmed and would be
re uired in any event. The requirement for an additional
II directly attributable to the U-2R program, can be made
able by reprogramming within the FY 67 IDEALIST program.
The approval of the U-2R means that certain modifications
which had been planned for the U-2C may no longer be required.
We are presently reviewing both programs to determine what
can be eliminated, and we are confident that we can effect
savings which equal or exceed the cost of the facilities
improvements at North Base. Our initial assessment is that
these costs can probably be met by deferring (and perhaps
discontinuing) modifications which have been planned for
the wing tanks in the U-2C fleet.
4. In view of the above, it is requested that you
release the funds previously program instrument
lab, and approve program adjustments from NRO 25X1
airframes to construction within the IDEALIST ucge or
FY 67. This would reduce our total requirement for airframes
(as stated in our memorandum of October 14) to would increase the total authorization for
cons ru on The total IDEALIST program
would remain
Director o ReconnaipSancu , CIA
TOP SECRET
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Signature recommended:
TOP SECRET 2794-66
Page 3
Director of Special Activities
Cy 1 - Compt/NRO
2,3 - D/Recce/CIA
4 - DD/S&T
5 - D/SA
6 - D/M/OSA
7 - C/FOD/Compt/OSA
8,9 - Compt/OSA
10 - RB/OSA
Distribution
Compt/OSA:
(20 Oct 66)
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