" 

., 

. 

<~ .'f( 

.. .'. 

" 

... . ,.~: 

DAnnrr",,,rt for Release: 2018/11/16 C05115155 . ~----,-

r .. : . .J AdOo' 

IDEALIST/OXCART/T~OARD 

TOP SEeRET 

J.SrfiIATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

I 

OFFICE OF 'THE DIRECTOR December 19, 1966 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR OF RECONNAISSANCE, CIA 

SUBJECT: Aircraft/Drone Vulnerability Studies 

Vulnerability studies of specific aircraft and drones 

generally have been made as individual studies or on the 

basis of comparison of relatively similar reconnaissance 

vehicles. Most of the extensive vulnerability effort on 

each system has been directed at supporting the design of 

ECM subsystems; hence, the vulnerability analyses have to 

some degree been conditioned by the differing approaches 

to the specific ECM employed. As a result of questions 

raised, particularly by Dr. Hornig, at recent EXCOM 

meetings, it is apparent that there is a need for a comprehensive, quantitative vulnerability study which will 

provide probable survivability estimates of various systems 

on a comparable basis. 

In response to this need, I request that CIA chair a 

joint CIA/DOD study group to accomplish the comparative 

vulnerability study. I believe that the CIA Vulnerability 

Analysis Group is best qualified to take the lead in this 

effort. Maximum use should be made of the NRO Staff, the 

Air Staff, the Foreign Technology Division of AFSC, and NSA 

as members of the study group and in support of the effort 

in order to assure a unified community agreement on the 

validity of the study. 

The study should include the SR-7l, U-2R, OXCART, 

TAGBOARD and COMPASS ARROW systems. These systems should 

be tested against standard point and area defensive models 

(either known or predicted) in the areas of expected 

operational utilization for both present day defenses and 

against projections of defenses five to ten years hence. 

HANDLE VIA 

IDEALIST/OXCART!TAGBOARD 

;PVfJ"t,~ TOP SFr.RFT C.Ulfll'1)L 'Jy"t~ 

l.JI"~u'H~ tiiVfi' Al./lU",,,ll\" 1011",1"#1.011'4(;. 

POC) t'HI"t 1Ivl "00 '0 00'" .. Of A"l.' 

• • • t' Approved for Release: 2018/11/16 C05115155 

HANDLE VIA 

BYEMAN 

CONTROL SYSTEM 

I 

.. 
.... 

",' 

".: 

~ . 

.. :~ . 

I. ! 

:~. ' 

. 'I,', 

)I 

for Release: 2018/11/16 C05115155 

IDEALIST/ OXCART /T~~'~gA~- ... -----t?] .. 

AdOO 

o~ 

TOP SECRET 

A standard data base of aircraft parameters affecting the 

analyses should be established. The studies should include 

survivability/vulnerability estimates with and without ECM 

equipments installed or programmed for the several systems. 

HANDLE VIA 

BYEMAN 

CON'tAOL SYSTEM 

Although the need for the detailed information is pressing, 

I do not intend to suggest any deadline which might detract 

from the accuracy or completeness of the study. However, I 

would appreciate it if you would submit to me by December 28th 

the composition of the joint CIA/DOD study group and an outline 

of the proposed study plan along with an estimated time table 

to be followed o The NRO Staff will assist you in arranging 

for DOD participation and in such other ways as you request. 

~.,..,,,k~ 

Alexander H. Flax 

I DEALIST/OXCART/TAGBOARD 

TAP SFP.RFT JIH.~UUUJ tlhH4 ~l.dvM~I' .. ~t"I""HMI\f 

OOD PIfUtf,yl liDO to DO" MOf "p,.,v 

Approved for Release: 2018/11/16 C05115155