RECOMMENDATION FOR RETENTION OF THE CIA IDEALIST PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00159R000200070006-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 6, 2006
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: December 18, 1969
• Content Type: MF

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18 December 1969
MEMORANDUM FOR: 303 Committee
SUBJECT: Recommendation for Retention of the CIA IDEALIST Program
1. The Agency U-2 program provides the U. S. a flexible
overhead reconnaissance system with unique capabilities for high
The system can react rapidly to world-wide crisio situations cheaply,
effectively, and at little. political risk to the U. S. Government,
ith the cooperation of the Navy they can also be
launched and recovered from carriers anywhere on the high seas.
USAF revie..(s).completed.
25X1. "
NRO review(s) completed.
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This U-2 capability can be utilized on short notice with a reaction,
time of approximately fifty hours anywhere in the world. The current
improved version of the U-2 has an average survivability better than
92. 5% over a single SAM site, even if it flies directly overhead, and
a survivability of about 99. 6% if attacked by MIG-Zlts. The actual
mission survivability can be made even higher by programming the
flight path to avoid SAM installations. Direct costs are approximately
I Ioperational mission,
3. This program provides the U. S. Government with a low cost
option for meeting future crisis situations in areas other than the more
heavily defended areas of the Soviet Union. The vulnerability of
satellites makes such an option especially desirable, particularly
when it is recognized that neutralization of these vehicles would deny
this country a high percentage of its strategic intelligence. During
non-crisis periods this asset is being used to collect ChiCom
intelligence as well as to bolster
relationships. All responsible U. S. officials
political
Perious political reper-
cussions and might adversely affect other important joint intelligence
projects. The program assets (airplanes, major equipment and
I
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facilities) are now paid for. The Agency program as now envisioned
is projected to cost approximate)
and CIA funds.
s-, at a speed of
The standard camera configuration provides for a swath width of
63 n. m. with 2300 n. m. of coverage in the flight direction. They have
capable of operating successfully)
a full complement of
equipment
They are the only covert reconnaissance vehicles in
the NRO _inventory. SAC aircraft of similar type do not now have
adequate
government. the option of non-attributability.
5. It is the opinion of CIA that the availability of"this flexible,
quick reaction capability for covert reaction to world-wide crises
more than justifies the cost of retention. It is recognized that broad
U. S. policy considerations must govern U-2 operations and decisions,
especially as far as overflights of China are concerned. And it is true
that for the past few years we have been reluctant to allow overflights
CONTROL
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including NRO
. Agency U-ZR's have a mission altitude capability of
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even with covert manned aircraft. However, it is important to note
It is for such contingencies that a covert capability like the U-2 would
become very important to the President. If we terminate this program
now, this option will be lost.
6. It is therefore recommended that Project IDEALIST be
continued.
that.in times of crisis our attitude in this regard can change rapidly.
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