TESTING AND DEVELOPMENT

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05416100
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: February 15, 2017
• Case Number: F-2008-00941

CO 2257257:
Approved for Release: 2016/10/24 C05416100
TESTING AND DEVELOPMENT
ANNEX B
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1. Until now, General Mills, manufacturer of the operational balloons,
has been doing the development. It is felt at this time that General Mills has
gone as far as possible with their limited knowledge of tradecraft. Some of
the problems the Agency is faced with and which should be determined are:
a. Graphs which will show the rate of rise when the balloon is
given various free lifts. Previously we have been concerned with safe
amounts. Now we should determine emergency statistics. For example,
when an agent steps out of a balloon without valving gas, what will be
the reaction of the balloon? Will it flutter and rip or can it stand
the resultant tremendous rate of rise? Is the reaction the same in
each case? When a balloon is in equilibrium it will neither rise nor
descend. When it has free lift the gas has more lift than the ballast
on board and will then ascend at a rate conversely proportional to the
difference in weight.
b. Present day operations are being considered for one and two
man operations in thirty foot balloons. This means that with one man
in the vehicle, ballast or equipment equalling 450 pounds must be added.
In other words, a twenty-five foot balloon for a man going to a denied
area with average amount of equipment would suffice. Another problem is
simply a short border crossing by one man with no equipment. For this
it is probable that a twenty foot balloon would suffice. During past
operations the problem of getting enough weight into the gondola to
overcome the free lift given by 12,000 cubic foot of gas has arisen when
one man is sent in a thirty foot balloon. It is dangerous to fly a
balloon with less gas in the thirty foot type because of what is termed
A "slack balloon flight."
2. The fact should be established as to the exact maximum and minimum
number of flights necessary for training of indigeneous personnel.
3. One operational hazard of present Agency inflation techniques results
from the noise caused by the flow of gas out of cylinders (60) and into and
out of the diffuser. The diffuser reduces the gas pressure from 2,000 pounds
per square inch to close to atmospheric pressure. An effort should be made
to reduce this noise either by changing the diffuser or the procedure.
4. Technical Services Staff is developing a chemical hydrogen generator
and a mechanical type generator. This balloon area will provide operational
procedure tests of these items under simulated field conditions.
5. The question has been asked if two men were launched would it be
possible to have one man bail out over one target and have the other bring the
balloon into equilibrium and fly on to a second target. Procedures of this
Approved for Release: 2016/10/24 C05416100
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ANNEX B
Page 2
type have never been used and a definite technique should be developed.
6. Astudy could be developed on the capabilities of balloons as
photographic reconnaissance vehicles, both with and without pilot. This
problem has already had great consideration within our Agency as well as
within the Air Force and other Agencies. Tracking stations located in
Denver could be utilized for this purpose.
7. Manned propaganda flights could be considered in areas where the
geography allows; for example, Korea, where a balloon launched on the west
side could be recovered on the eastern shore or averwater. Technique of
recovery and/or disposal in such a situation could be worked out.
8. Covert launching procedures for propaganda balloons could be
considered. A twenty-five foot balloon is being considered for propaganda
flights. For this type flight only a portion of the gas in a sixty unit
manifold would be used on each balloon. A procedure could be developed to
cover launching of such balloons from various sites during one night.
9. The potentialities of personnel balloons for escape and evasion,
using both chemical type hydrogen generators and local gas supplies, could
be considered. After techniques have been established host country repre-
sentatives could be invited to witness demonstrations of such techniques.
Such demonstrations should also convince host countries which border the
satellites of balloon capabilities for infiltration.
10. The problems listed above are just a few of thosswith which the
Agency is faced at present. Future development of balloon techniques will pose
many more questions to be answered.
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Approved for Release: 2016/10/24 C05416100