ACTIVITY REPORT OFFICE OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP68B00724R000100050004-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 19, 2004
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: March 1, 1966
• Content Type: REPORT

TOP SECRET
d For R lease 2004/05/21 : CIA-RDP68B00724R 00100050004-2
25X1
Cy j of /0 25X1
ILLEGIB
I. OXCART
ACTIVITY REPORT
OFFICE OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
MARCH 1966
A. DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY AND PROGRESS
1. On 24 March 1966, a meeting of the Headquarters members of the
OXCART Configuration and Flight Test Control Board was held. The pur-
pose of the meeting was to assign priorities and responsibilities for out-
standing items requiring action or approval. Among other decisions it
was decided to proceed with Aircraft #122 modification to include SR-71
environment, but to defer a decision on the Constant Speed Drive 60 KVA
alternator for several weeks pending the outcome of further investigation
into its performance.
2. Recent propulsion system flight testing has concentrated on inlet
system pressure surveys with fully sealed inlets and nacelles, and engine
testing to evaluate fixes intended to solve the problem of high oil con-
sumption rates at slow and cold subsonic flight conditions. A very signi-
ficant reduction in oil consumption rate has been achieved through use of
a reduced clearance seal plate in the number one bearing compartment
which prevents flow of seal pressurizing air into the bearing compartment
and eliminates flow of oil and air out through the labyrinth seal.
3. Seven (7) test missions were flown this month. Two (2) flight
tests for focus test were undertaken with Type IV. One of'these collected
valid data, however the second flight test with same camera had Q Bay
temperature and pressurization problem and in addition data chamber
did not operate. One (1) Type II test was undertaken and it was successful.
A total of four (4) Type I missions were run. Two (2) missions (one with
Configuration B and another with Configuration E) were successful. The
remaining two (2) Type I test missions - one utilizing Configuration A had
a malfunction related to an interface; the other mission using Configura-
tion D had a malfunction which at this date is attributed to abnormally
high Q Bay temperature. It may be well to note in all seven (7) test
missions film ran through cameras and imagery was obtained. All
missions were flown at operational altitudes and speeds.
NRO review(s) completed.
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/05/21 : CIA-RDP68B00724R000100050004y2
TOP RF'RFT
 A0
25X1
p*wed For Release 2004/0/ :gtgp
,f00724R000100050004-2 25X1
I
4. AIRCRAFT FLIGHT TEST SUMMARY
Aircraft
Flights
March
Time
March
Total
Flights
Total
Time
121
4
4:24
210
209:52
122
2
1:49
157
169:39
123
-
-
78
136:10
124
11
20:05
444
790:00
125
4
9:15
164
257:20
126
-
-
104
169:16
127
-
-
1.38
218:10
128
5
7:20
123
219:40
129
-
-
157
182:43
130
3
10:50
112
175:53
1.31
4
7:35
72
105:26
132
6
8:37
89
139:57
133
-
-
9
8:17
Totals
39
69:55
1857
2782:23
NOTE: February 66 report adjusted to reflect 104 Flights for A/C #126,
and Total OXCART Flights as 1818, vice 105 and 1819 previously
reported.
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/05/21 : CIA-RDP68B00724R000100050004-,?
 25X1
25X1
25X1
14ppro or Release 2004/0/21: CIA RDP6b@Vt724R0QQ1nnnsnnna-9
Page
B. OPERATIONAL SUMMARY AND PROGRESS
1. EMERGENCY CAPABILITY (SKYLARK):
A limited emergency capability is being maintained for the
aerial reconnaissance of Cuba on a two week advance notification
basis.
2. CONTINGENCY PLANNING - FAR EAST (BLACK SHIELD):
Contingency planning for the employment of the OXCART vehicle
against Far Eastern Targets of interest is continuing under a Quick
Reaction Concept. Complete deployment to Kadena to conduct the
first operational mission can be accomplished withinthree weeks of
the "go-ahead" decision under the QRC posture.
3. CONFIGURATION CONTROL PANEL:
A Configuration Control Panel meeting was held on 24 March 1966,
at Project Headquarters. Board members were Project Headquarters
staff personnel with Brigadier General Ledford as Chairman.
The following items were discussed and recorded in the minutes
of the meeting:
a. Auto Pilot modification
b. Contract 200. Support contract with LAC.
c. Tacan
d. Electronic Recorders
e.
f. Constant speed Drive (CSD) 60 KVA
alternator for A-12 vehicles
h. 3 9 0 INS
i. 34K engines
j. Cameras
4. PILOT SELECTION:
Project Headquarters Staff personnel attended a meeting held at
Headquarters USAF to discuss selection procedures and status of
project pilot candidates. Final screening has reduced candidates
down to six nominees who will begin medical/ psychological evalua-
tions in early April 1966. It is planned to sign on two additional
project, pilots to commence flying training o/a 1 August 1966.
Approved For Release 2004/05/21-: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100050004-2
25X1
25X1
 25X1
oved For Release 2004/05/21 : CIA-RDP68B00 24R000100050004-2
TOP SECRE
D
Page 4
25X1
25X1
5. PLANNING COORDINATION:
On 29 March 1966 a conference was held at PACAF headquarters to
discuss plans /procedures on a forthcoming Black Shield CPX.
Purpose of the CPX will be to exercise the 313 ADIV an sup or supporting
PACAF commands capability to support Black Shield operational
missions. Based on completion of some commo facilities tentative
planning is that CPX will be conducted mid April 1966.
6. A-l2 AIRCRAFT:
A total of 10 aircraft are assigned to of which seven are
possessed by the Detachment and three by the Flight Test Center.
Aircraft 124 is a J-75 engine equipped, dual seat trainer and the
,remaining six are J-58 equipped.
7. A-12 FLIGHT PROGRESS (THROUGH 31 MARCH 1966):
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS:
All Performance Statistics as reported in the November Report
remain unchanged with the following exception:
Average A-12 Time - Detachment Pilots - 248 hours.
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/05/21: CIA-RDP68B00724R000100050004-2
 TOP SECRET
rovedor Release 2004/05/21 : CIA-RDP6&724R00010 -
25X1'
II. IDEALIST
A. GENERAL SUMMARY
1. There was an Agency U-2 overflight (C036C) on 28 March 1966.
Considerable navigational problems were encountered, caused by com-
bined factors of weather, interceptors and fuel. In spite of the above
factors, the mission was considered successful.
25X1
25X1 `l? I (successfully ejected from
U-2A number 363~CT hi le on a training mission out of Davis
Monthan AFB, Arizona. The primary cause was pilot factor,, in that
the pilot used improper procedures during recovery from a practice
stall, lost control of the aircraft and entered a spin from which re-
covery was not effected. It was recommended that a two seat U-2
trainer be provided for the purpose of airborne supervision and
training in such matters as stalls, etc.
B. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT
25X1
Approved For Release 2004/05/21 : CIA-RDP68B00724R000100050004-2
25X1
25X1
 Approvtr Release 2004/05/21 : CIA-RDP68B00724R000100050004-2
Approved For Release 2004/05/21 : CIA-RDP68B00724R000100050004-2
 ved For Release 2004/05/469 ElRIF300724R000100050004-2
25X1
Page
25X1
ITT. ISINGLASS
No change.
ILLEGIB
Approved For Release 2004/05/21C?ZI$FA00724R0001000500
 Appro ed Fo Release 2004/05/240BIAEOR)
25X1
25X1 PS/OSA:
6 Apr 66 )
Distribution:
Cys 1, 2, 3, 4 - C/P&PS/DD/S&T
Cy 5 - D/OSA
Cy 6 - D/FA/OSA
Cy 7 - D/TECH/OSA
Cys 8, 9 - PS/OSA
Cy 10 - RB/OSA
@OQ3R000100050004-2 25X1
Page
ILLEGIB
Approved For Release 2004/05/21 : CIA-RDP68B00724R000100050004-2
TOP SECRET