CHANGES IN (Sanitized) AIRBORNE IMAGERY COLLECTION PLATFORM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B01709A001400020022-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 25, 2002
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: January 31, 1973
• Content Type: MF

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COMMITTEE ON IMAGERY REQUIREMENTS AND EXPLOITATION
31 January 1973
25X1A
MEMORANDUM FOR: DIA Member, COMIREX
SUBJECT
Change in Airborne
Imagery Collection Platform
REFERENCE : USIB-D-46.4/35 (COMIREX-D-24. 3/1)
20 March 1970
1. This memorandum responds to your 24 January 1973
request for my views concerning the proposed use of SR-71
photographic reconnaissance aircraft over Cuba in place of the
long-employed U-2R aircraft.
25X1A
2. The main point of concern for the intelligence
community is that its basic needs for overhead photographic
reconnaissance coverage of Cuba--as set forth in the USIB's
statement of standing requirements (reference)--be met. These
include periodic coverage at specified quality, the maintenance of
airborne reconnaissance presence, and provision for quick reaction
standby capabilities to meet special needs as they arise. Within
this general framework the type of airborne collection platform
employed in achieving these ends is largely a matter of discretion,
based on optimum balance of all factors involved- -operational
and political as well as intelligence.
. 3. I ,believe the political implications and possible
repercussions with regard to Cuba that may be involved in the
shift to SR-71's for thel program are important--
and perhaps, determining--factors in assessing this proposal. I
urge they be given very careful consideration and thorough
coordination before any final decision is reached.
SECRET 31 December 1981
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25X1 D
25X1A
4. From the more immediate and local perspective of
the intelligence consumer, I believe the SR-71 product would meet
minimum needs, although somewhat less well than the U-2R product.
Long experience shows us that the quality of Cuba coverage returned
by the present collection platform--the U-2R.
p
as called for under paragraph arge coverage
p g p 9c of reference, but that presumably
could be balanced by other factors.
responding to needs for limited objective s
ecial t t y
., of course, provides a broader operational flexibilit in
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Approved For Release 2003/02/27 : CIA-RDP79BO1709AO01400020022-2