BLACK SHIELD MEETING AT (Sanitized), 7 OCTOBER 1965

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP71B00399R000600120007-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2004
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: October 14, 1965
• Content Type: MFR

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Copy e of 3
A
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT : BLACK SHIELD Meeting at
1600120007-4
This summary report constitutes:
Part 'I - General Aircraft Items
Part II - ECM and Communications
Part III - Propulsion Items
Attachment I - Agenda
Attachment II - Decisions and Actions
Attachment III - Significant Charts
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r t v General A ft It of 1.tt Z Lil"le a 'ie~I
1. Copies of charts used in presentations are available
in D/TECH.
2, opened the meeting with the statement
that we have an opera ional.capability today.
3. A weather briefing was given by the Detachment which
`ndicated measured variations around the standard day and
temperature gradients to be expected at the cruise altitudes
in the operational latitudes. The significance was expressed
as the effect of temperature variations and gradients on vehicle
performance and a coordinating body (see Attachment II) was
established to incorporate these effects in mission planning.
Recognition of these effects on performance is not new and
was in fact the subject of a Development Branch memorandum in
1960.)
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r, I indicated his biggest problem as ARC-50
erratic operation. Four other problems were listed as:
SIP/Type I Calf'sera-Physical Interference
EWS - Ant;;~:nfza/Wiring
Instrument Reliability
Schedule Effectiveness
The ARC-50 and EWS antenna/wiring are covered in Part II?
S:?/Type I camera interference occurred once and is now in
hand. Instrument reliability which has resulted in several
false indications such as inadequate oil pressure, inadequate
oil quantity, and a firewarning to mention a few is under
attack by Lockheed. Scheduling effectiveness while not affecting
a sortie once airborne has resulted in numerous cancellations
prior to flight for various maintenance reasons. The various
contractors and the Detachment must work toward better system
reliability, better maintenance/inspection procedures, and
better coordination between groups. _.
5. A runc.own.on results of thirteen Detachment flights
since acceptance after the debug mod program on BLACK SHIELD
aircraft 126, 127,. and 128 subs,'tantiated the ARC-50 and
instrument reliability problems covered in paragraph 4. (Also
reflected but not designated as such were several problems
associated with procedural inadequacy.) The larger pre-
modification basic vehicle problems which in the past have
prevented sustained flights at Mach 3 such as repetative inlet
shock expulsions were noted by their absence. (It is felt
that improvement in these major basic problem areas has now put
more focus on a different set'of equipment and instrument
problems as described above and also tends to surface procedural
problems heretofore obscured.)
6. Modifications proposed by the Detachment were discussed.
Applicable decisions made by.General Ledford are indicated on
Attachment I1:.
7. I Iwas asked by Dr. Wheelon how he reconciles
his opening statement of having an operational capability today
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ASD/OSA
w its his apparent lack of confidence in the ARC-50 reliability/
a she-, rendezvous situation over water. The answer while obscure
seemed to center around improving the ARC-50 and providing either
surface or airborne tanker TACAN capability for a backup. The
latter is reflected as a'n action item in Attachment II.
S. Kelly Johnson recounted actions taken to'. improve
maintenance/inspection activities such as the add'i'tion 'of
electrical supervisors and inspectors, and to improve component
and instrument reliability by improved failure/malfunction
feedback to the project. He made the plea for no more elec-
trical changes to the aircraft.
9. Follow.on BLACK SHIELD aircraft 125, 130, 131,,and 132
are on schedule in the modification program. Scheduling is
indicated in Attachment III.
10. The three camera contractors reported generally satis-
factory results to date with ho major problems anticipated.
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2. Installation of a TACAN system in selected KC-135
nke s lam.., mac? rovi e ..~xoth :nothod of rendezvous. Arrange-
rm. nts are being r.-,tempted via General Geary's office to provide
this capability in the tankers; commencement and compie tion
dates will be determined, in the immediate future.
3. Effectiveness' of Ir/SSB system in BLACK SHIELD articles
at the lower frequencies has not been determined.. Night time
operations normally require that lower frequencies be utilized;
therefore, this evaluation must be accomplished if night missions
are envisioned during SLACK SHIELD.
C&FE OSA
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Part III - Propulsion Items
1. A chart supported presentation. was given by
Pratt-& Whitney. The status of the current
ten designated BLACJ( SHIELD engines was revipwed wit list-
ing of all updated fixes and modifications. also 25
presented the previously requested list by serial numbers of
ten engines to be selected for BLACK SHIELD deployment. The
planned designation and delivery of ten engines by 15
December, however, has been revised per the list of action
items attached hereto. I I made a specific point of 25
indicating that with an average number of "Y" engines in
overhaul and _ngine shop; and ten engines assigned
to BLACK SIT , all iem ,ining engine? Would ill
craft installation requirements with no available spares.
2. Of the additional items discussed, the following
significant facts are noted:
a. Of three cases of reported nozzle fluctuation
in aircraft 126, one has been isolated to fuel system
contamination, one to the main fuel control now under
investigation, and one could not be confirmed on ground
run or four additional flights with the same engine.
b. Reduction gearbox vibration recently experienced
with engine 213 in aircraft 126 is under investigation
and appears so far to be associated with the combination
of gearbox, shafting, and gearbox mounting rather than
the gearbox itself.
c. Flight test results to evaluate number 3 bearing
compartment distress fixes indicates correction of wind-
milling oil consumption. Evaluation of the increased
clearance fix to eliminate rotating to stationary parts
thermal interference after rapid vehicle descent has been
reported as complete and satisfactory (subsequent to the
meeting) on 13 October. The other fix also proven satis-
factory in flight tests, involves a bleed orifice in the
engine breather pressurizing valve which prevents pressure
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reversals across the number 3 seal during engine wind-
milling operation. The heretofore imposed restriction
on engine windmilling (impeding single engine aircraft
performance) will be lifted with the incorporation of
these two engineering changes. Both changes are now
being incorporated in new and overhauled engines and
are being incorporated in field engines as
rapidly as the engines become available tor is rework.
Engines already incorporating these changes are in-
dicated in Attachment III "Urgent Changes."
3. The following two additional non-agenda items were
also, covered:
a. 34K engine status and results of efforts to
date to establish proper bypass bleed shcedule to improve
surge margin in the Mach 2 area.
b.''An additional chart reviewed the service prob-
lems and solutions being investigated on development
engines which indicates that a total of 233 items are
being investigated on nine development engines which
represents 99 different designs or investigations.
4. Copies of all significant P&W charts specifically
related to BLACK SHIELD are attached hereto. The development
time schedule for the auto trimmer is also included. Copies
of all other P&W charts are available in D/TECH/OSA.
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Distribution:
Cy 1,2,3 - ASD/OSA
- D/TECH/OSA
5 - D/OSA
6 - D/1 A/OSA-
7 - OXC/OSA
8 - MD/OSA
9 - PS/OSA
10 - C&1 E/OSA
11 - CD/OSA
--2 - chrono
13 - RD/OS.
I( 14 October 1965)
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