AGENCY ROLE IN OVERHEAD RECONNAISSANCE AND OTHER AERIAL ACTIVITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP74J00828R000100200031-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 22, 2006
• Sequence Number: 31
• Publication Date: October 4, 1968
• Content Type: MF

A12pgved For Release 2006/08/22 : CIA-RDP74J00828R000100200031 J
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4 October 1968
ET0i aAi l uz 2, FOR: Deputy Director for Science and Technology
SUBSZCTI Agency Role in Overhead Reconnaissance and
Other Aerial Activlttes
F ENCEs Memorandum from b/DCl/Ql[pE t.s DDJS&T
dated Ii Sept 1963. Subjects Agency and Cornr.unity
Organizational Survey
1. This memorandum Is for information only.
The reference rcqueets the case for continue active
participation by CIA in the design, developrneat, utilization# and
control of technical collection Systems including overhead recon-
naissance. This memorandums, addresses itseslf to aircraft recon-
naissance and other Agency aerial collection pro, rams.
3. The Agency leas demonstrated by per!ormanee during the
past twelve years the expertise necessary to identify, develop and
operate aircraft reconnaissance programs that have proven re-
sponsive in support of national intelligence requirements. Current-
lye. the .A ,envy is provlding development managcrricnt of the ire-4 I
weapons system, and has in the past been charged with the leader !.Ap
role in the development efforts of the bi8h performance reeormaiusatict
platform (A-lla). CIA success in providing development Ieaderabip
in these aircraft recorsnaissaance systems for the most part is due to
its inherent flexibility and unique streamlined method of mans;,=_,,nlent.
5pocialized requirements have allowed the Agency to concentrate oa
\ product development without the usualmyriad df bureaucratic
approv- al mochania s.
4. The principal case for continued Agency operation of a
rt manned aircraft reconnaissance program. thru 3
natur
i
e prov
dest the U. S. Government with another iztelliZeace
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gatheriag option that of a quick reacting capability to gather
ti.i ely intelligence without the charge of military aggression
being sustained. It enables the U. S. Government to operate
in t 1a espionage arena-with the assertion that the operation to
truly civilian in character and is operating for the purpose of
satisfying, U. S. intelligence requirement, which by nature are
usually not aaggressiva. It provides both the U. S. Government
and the protesting government time and opportunity to negotiate
quietly behind the scenes without a overtone. of rUitary confronta-
tion.
6. The CiA channel for command and control of covert
overnights provides higher authority direct and secure control of
operations in sensitive situations. Its direct Headquarters to Op-
erating detachment links makes it mere responsive to sudden and
unexpected cages in plans than is possible in the more rigid
military command structure. This channel, affords the decision-
maker the possibility of eleventh-hour deacisions in fast-developing
events.
7. ecauare the sous is an a sin, le capability, technical
intelligence collection, the CIA has been able to develop higher
performance vehicles and sp:sciaiis d equipments and to operate
with fewer zuxaberea than the military. It also has the advantage
of the close association and rapport that results front having under
one (DD/ST roof the capability to devvJop and operate sophisti-
cated systems, to conduct current vulnerability assessments, and
to +lyvelop appropriate counter-meast ices. It is ndt distracted
from optimizing vehicle and equipr4ents for the primary mission.
S. 3+ etc to the case for active future Agency participation
:iu overhead recon afaas nee 18 a rca irmatlon of the desirability
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to Maintain, a covert civilian reconnaissance capability in pro-crisis
situations. Until such a date rriiuation. fs a-lade, the Agency cannot
make a final Judgment, nor, can it properly plan long-range overhead
reconnaissance programs or improvements,
9. Since the roforence also calls for proposals for organiza.
tional cbangea, the following is submitted for consideration. The
published mission for OSA is to develop and operate special, technical
collection programs. It is appropriate to assess the airborne tech-
nical collection programs within the Agency to avoid duilication of
etaffing effort.
cc: DTI/t u&'
AEO/SAI
Distr:
I & 2 - DDStC T
3 - DD/OSP
4 - DDS&T Reg
5-DSA
6 - DDSA
7 - D/O/QSA
S - RB/OSA
9 - A/EO/SA Chron.:
rizadierr General, USAF'
ctor o.f- Special.Activities
1f3ECRRDT
Approved For Release 2006/08/22: CIA=RDP74J00828R000100200031-5
 Approved For Release 2006/08/22 : CIA-RDP74J00828R000100200031-5
Approved For Release 2006/08/22 : CIA-RDP74J00828R000100200031-5