FUNDING REQUEST FOR THE CONCEPT EVALUATION PHASE OF AN ADVANCED AERODYNAMIC RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEM UNDER THE FY 69 GENERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (AIRCRAFT) BUDGET

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP71B00822R000200130011-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 17, 2004
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: January 1, 1968
• Content Type: MF

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mor
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505
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Copy o !. ?
MEMORANDUM FOR: Comptroller, National Reconnaissance Office
SUBJECT : Funding Request for the Concept Evaluaticn
Phase of an Advanced Aerodynamic Reconnaissance
System under the FY 69 General Research and
Development (Aircraft) Budget.
REFERENCE FY 1969 Budget
issue No. ~'Ljvanced Aircraft
1. This memorandum is a request for authorization for
the expenditure of to pursue the Concept Evaluation
Phase of an Advance Aerodynamic Reconnaissance System. This
is a new FY 69 effort and is appropriate to the General
Research and Development (Aircraft) program.
2. The program,>as discussed in detail in Attachment I,
is to explore various-methods of achieving a survivable quick
reaction reconnaissance capability (manned or unmanned). The
primary objective would be to survive in the lethal envelopes
of projected Sovbloc and other defensive environments through
the 1975 - 1980 period. In-evaluation of an approach to this
program, attention is directed to the referent document,
wherein it is pointed out that the decision to phase-out the
OXCART vehicle and the decision to discontinue work on the
ISINGLASS concept represented a trend away from continuing
maintenance of a high-performance covert manned overflight
capability in the NRP. The reference further notes that the
7cost and effectiveness of alternative vehicle concepts must
be examined; for example, should the vehicle be manned or`'
unmanned and in each case what type of launch operation, pro-
pulsion, recovery, etc. offers the most promise. These
questions are addressed in the elements of the task.
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3. This request is submitted in accordance with
instructions from Dr. Flax at the conclusion of his briefing
on 5 D r 1968. It is requested that funds in the amount
of be allocated to CIA, for use in FY 69, for the
Concept uation Phase of an Advanced Aerodynamic Reconnaassanc,
System, under the General Research and Development (Aircraft)
program.
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Comp Comptroller
Directorate of
Science and Technology
Attachment:
As stated above.
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SECRET
&FD/Compt/OSA (6 December 68)
Distribution:
1&2 - Addee w/att
3 - D/CIA/RP w/att
4 - Compt/DDS&T w/att
5&6 - DDS&T Reg w/att
7'- D/SA w/att
8 - Compt/OSA w/att
9 - R&D/OSA w/att
10 - OPS/OSA w/att
11 - D/M/OSA w/att
12 - RB/OSA w/att
13 - B&FD/OSA w/att
SECRET
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F
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
I. TITLE Concept Evaluation Phase of an Advant~ed
Aerodynamic Reconnaissance System.
25X1 REFERENCE I Idtd 5 Sept 1967, "Funding
equest for Certain.FY 68 General R&D
(Aircraft) Activities".
II. OBJECTIVE To explore various methods of achiev:.ng
a survivable quick-reaction reconnaLssarce
capability. Primary objective would be
to survive in the lethal envelopes of
projected Sovbloc and other defensive
environments through the 1975 - 1980 period.
Elements of the task encompass items 3 and
4 of the referenced memorandum.
III. BACKGROUND In anticipation of approval for this study,
the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OS.)
was requested to provide their most real-
istic estimate of the Soviet Bloc and the
non-Soviet Bloc defensive environments for
the 1975 - 1980 period. A summary of the
results of the OSI effort are presented in
Exhibit (A). These results in Exhibit (A)
together with a quick reaction capability
are used to establish an approach to the
problem.
IV. APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM Survivability would be considered as two
distinct environments, i.e., Soviet Bloc
and non-Soviet Bloc. Exhibit (B) identifies
how each of these two environments would
be investigated. Since a "wait and s;-~e"
approach is recommended for the non-Saiviet
Bloc environment, the effort for FY 6:3
reduces to concentrating only on the Soviet
Bloc task. This task would be performed
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by a "Think Group" and an airframe contractor.
The proposed program organization and ?1ements
of the task are shown in Exhibits (C) and (D).
'V. ELEMENTS OF THE TASK The elements of the task would eneoompat:s
the specifics as outlined in Exhibit (E).
Further amplification of this exhi)it is
noted below:
a. Profiles and Tactics - 25X1
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investigate maximum capaoole
concepts. implicit in the development o:i
these concepts will be the realization that
future defensive systems expected 10 years
hence can only be postulated. Therefore,
the sensitivity of survival to variation
in defensive system performance parameters
must be considered. All conceivable and
potentially feasible vehicle profiles arwe
tactics would be considered for survivatility.
No technological constraints would be imrosed
on either altitude or speed. Realistic
maneuvers, countermeasures, and radar cross-
section, as they effect the engagement
geometry between the SAM and the ve:aic;:_e,
would be evaluated.
b. Candidate Concept Survey - Based on
using viable profiles and tactics developed
above, this survey should ideally result
in one or more concepts. This segment
would be the sole responsibility of the
airframe contractor under Headquarters
direction.
Flight Modes - All modes would be exam---nod
to determine if one or more emerges as a
superior approach. The launch phase would
include investigating vehicles which are
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air launched, ground launched, boost??d or
self-accelerators. The significant, i.e..
intelligence gathering phase, would consider
but not be restricted to glide, powered,
throttling techniques, high-altitude, low
altitude and combinations thereof and
speeds to encompass from hypersonic to
sub-sonic in consonance with the profiles
and tactics.
Technology Background - The contractor
would avail himself of the latest materials,
manufacturing and engineering technology.
All of the technology background derived
from previous programs would be considered
so as not to "replow old ground". The
most futuristic NASA data would be cn-
sidered for applicability.
Operational Considerations - The case ci
manned vs. unmanned would be considered
in depth with all compromises both from
the vehicle design standpoint and from
the cost and reliability standpoint being
weighed. The type of launch and recovery
and the basing facilities would be reviewed
as they effect the design capability.
Considerations necessary to maintain a
covert program would be addressed.
c. Analysis - A determination/assessment
of how we each concept meets the prob111-eiin
would result from this phase of the task.
Force Fit - It is highly unlikely that
any one design would prove superior in all
aspects and certain weight would have to
be given to the various aspects of the
problem during the analysis.
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Reaction - Any intelligence collection
system is useful only if the data are
available to the users on a "soonest"
basis. Therefore, the quick-reaction
ability of the concepts would be given
prime consideration. Both the reaction
time for the actual collection of the data
and also the subsequent steps necessary
for processing, etc., would be a part of
the study.
Man Impact - Since politically an
unmanned vehicle would be much more
palatable, the presence of a man must
prove to be of extreme value from the
reliability and mission success standpoirt
if selected. The influence of the
presence of a man on the configuration
must be considered, i.e., a large vehicle
to accommodate a man compared to a smaller
unmanned vehicle. If a man must be
included to assure a cost effective
program during the early, less reliable
test period, the man might be present
only during the test phase with the
vehicle being droned operationally.
Cost - Naturally any large expenditure
of funds committed for intelligence
collection can only be justified if (a)
the concept has a high chance of su:cess
of obtaining the data and (b) a mor,
reliable, less costly, more politically
acceptable approach doesn't exist. There-
fore, in the analysis, it is envisioned
that both the airframe contractor aid
Headquarters would have an input.
d. Answer - This phase of the task
would represent the end result of the
effort. Only if the results clearl~, in-
dicated that both survivability and quick
reaction were potentially feasible and
practically achievable, would consideration
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be given to a follow-on effort to :include
confirmation of system designs and the
investigation of basic technology 'in
certain critical areas.
VI. The contractor candidates would be selected in accordance with
the criteria of Exhibit (F). A cost and schedule estimate is
presented in Exhibit (G).
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PROJECTED RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEMS
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SOVIET BLOC
INVESTIGATE MAXIMUM CAPABLE CONCEPT WITHIN 1975-80 PROJECTED
STATE-OF-THE-ART. THE SENSITIVITY OF SURVIVAL TO VARIATION IN
DEFENSIVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS WILL BE CONSIDERED.
NON-SOVIET BLOC
FOLLOW TAGBOARD PROGRESS FOR ONE YEAR
IF SATISFACTORY, INVESTIGATE MODS TO TAGBOARD TO IMPROVE
ALTITUDE AND ADD EWS.
IF UNSATISFACTORY, INVESTIGATE MODS TO A-121SR-71 FAMILY
TO IMPROVE ALTITUDE.
FOLLOW OTHER PROPOSED ADVANCED AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENTS,
SUCH AS ADVANCED MANNED INTERCEPTOR (AMI), ETC.
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PROGRAM ORGANIZATION FOR SOVIET-BLOC STUDY
THINK GROUP - Based on reconnaissance targets and ground rules, identify
PROFILES AND TACTICS. Options to be rated in order of
preference.
HEADQUARTERS - PROFILES AND TACTICS to be selected based on think group
data plus in-house assessment
AIRFRAME MANUFACTURER - Technological survey of all potential CANDIDATE CONCEPTS
compatible with PROFILES AND TACTICS.
- ANALYSIS of concepts to provide rating in order of
preference with supporting data.
HEADQUARTERS - Review and final judgement.
SFCRFT
EXHIBIT C to
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At; 1,
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ELEMENTS OF THE TASK
PROFILES AND TACTICS - THINK GROUP
2. CANDIDATE CONCEPT SURVEY .- AIRFRAME MANUFACTURER
3. ANALYSIS - AIRFRAME MANUFACTURER/HEADQUARTERS
4. ANSWER .- AIRFRAME MAANUFACTURERIHEADQUARTERS
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PROFILES AND TACTICS/SURVIVABILITY
LOW TO HIGH ALTITUDES
SUBSONIC TO HYPERSONIC SPEEDS
MANEUVERABILITY
COUNTERMEASURES
RADAR CROSS-SECTION TRADE-OFFS
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2. CANDIDATE CONCEPT SURVEY
FLIGHT MODES - AIR LAUNCHED VS. GROUND LAUNCHED
BOOSTED VS. SELF-ACCELERATION
GLIDE, POWERED, THROTTLING TECHNIQUES
TECHNOLOGY BACKGROUND - OXCART
ISINGI ASS
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OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS - MANNED VS. UNMANNED
TYPE OF LAUNCH
TYPE OF RECOVERY
BASING FACILITIES
COVERT OPERATION
SENSOR CONSIDERATIONS - BROAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR WEIGHT AND
VOLUME ALLOTMENT
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 J L U It L I
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3e ANALYSIS
FORCE FIT - CANDIDATE CONFIGURATIONS RELATIVE TO WEIGHTING OF
VARIOUS ASPECTS OF PROBLEM
REACTION - TIME FOR COLLECTION OF DATA
TIME FOR PROCESSING AND DELIVERY TO INTERPRETER
MAN IMPACT - RELIABILITY AND MISSION SUCCESS
POLITICAL
CONFIGURATION
TEST
COST - JUSTIFIED ONLY IF:
A. ACCEPTABLE PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS
NO MORE RELIABLE, LESS COSTLY, MORE POLITICALLY
ACCEPTABLE APPROACH
E u R; E T
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4. ANSWER
A. SURVIVABILITY POSSIBLE?
QUICK REACTION POSSIBLE?
I F BOTH A AND B POSSIBLE, DEVELOP PLAN
C.
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IV. CONTRACTOR CANDIDATES
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
THINK GROUP
AERODYNAMIC TYPE VEHICLE EXPERIENCE
VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS EXPERIENCE
TACT I CS/ENGAGEMENT ANALYSIS EXPERIENCE
LOCATION OF FACILITY
SECURITY CLEARANCE CONSIDERATIONS
COST
TIME
Al RFRAME1 SYSTEMS
DEPENDENT UPON RESULTS OF THINK GROUP EFFORT.
SPECIFIC FLIGHT REGIME EXPERIENCE
HARDWARE VS. DESIGN STUDY
PROGRAM SUCCESSES
PREVIOUS RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLE EXPERIENCE
PREVIOUS AGENCY AFFILIATION.
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