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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

OFFICE OF ME AINITANT OICISTARY

MOIOOANDUM

ulannary 5, 1917

MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTOR OP RECONNANSANCI, CIA

Attached is a draft at my proposed ammorandom to the lizCom on ISINGLASS. Your

comments and suggestions are solicited. if

possible, I would Ube to send an agreed-on

version to assure prompt approval.

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r B. Flan

Director

National Reconnaissance

Office

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MEMORANDUM FOR MR. VANCE

MR. NELMS

DR. NOR=

SUBJECT: ISINGLASS

On' September 7, UM, I visited the McDonnell plant to review in detail

their proposal for development work on the ISINGLASS concept. Their presentations and the discussions indicated a high quality technical effort across

the spectrum of technology relevant to this concept. It should be recognised,

however, that the DOD and NASA have under way technology programs spanning the same fields, although not so specifically pointed to this single can -

figuration of flight vehicle and single class of flight trajectories.

The McDonnell work in the areas of technology pertinent to ISINOLASS

seems to stem from their participation in earlier Air Force programs related

to the DYNASOAR program. McDonnell was the contractor on the ASSET

Program -- scale-model flight test effort in support of DIMSOAR structural and aerothermodynamic teclmology. This technology has

been advanced considerably since the inception of the DYNASOAR Project, and

the hypersonic lift-to-drag ratio specifically has been advanced from 1.8 in
pare the MINOLASS with current and planned satellite systems

Although

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DYNASOAR to values of 3, both at McDonnell and at LocIdseed (under an Air

Force White Contract). The results of on-going Air Force technology programs •

have generally been made available to the aerospace industry except where

contractor proprietary information was involved.

Therefore, it is apparent that the McDonnell efforts cannot be considered

in isolation where technology is concerned. The specific vehicle design and

mission analysis studies, on the other hand, are unique since no other contractor has focused major attention on this particular mission and this particular class of flight trajectories.

In addition to technological factors, I also reviewed the McDonnell costeffectiveness studies and the vulnerability analyses which compared MINGLASS

with satellite systems. The cost effectiveness studies were being conducted

in accordance with ground rules which did not correspond to current satellite

operations. The NRO Staff has since worked with the CIA to set up ground

rules for a cost effectiveness model which could be used by McDonnell to camthere is no firm intelligence information which would indicate that the Soviet

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with a full-scale development, and depending upon the degree to which final

requirements might accord with those now being studied by McDonnell, it

would probably be in the best interests of the Government to avail itself of

the advantages at competition.

At the present time I believe that only study and advanced technology efforts on the MINGLASS concept are warranted. Study effort should be directed

to the most significant areas for further evaluation of the concept. The technology efforts should be limited to those items having a critical bearing on

system feasibility, bask characteristics and cost. In addition, it is essential

to assure that technology efforts complement rather than duplicate the extensive

NASA and DOD technology programs in the same general areas.

Since many uncertainties and doubts exist with regard to the future of this

concept, it is essential that McDonnell be made fully aware that the program

is still in the study phase, and will not necessarily lead to follow-on efforts

of any kind. In particular, McDonnell should be cautioned against the premature

build-up ol a mineable work force in anticipation of a full-scale development

program. In view of the objectives of the study and advanced technology effort

appropriate to this concept at this time, extensive large scale structural tests

and comprehensive detail design used not be initiated.

The recommended NRO funding for a twelve month program is as follows:

—1041):SECTIEr—

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System effectiveness studies including mission analyses, cost-effectivenliss

and participation in vulnerability analyses.

311W4 3/ 

Advanced technology program centered on the unique and critical aspects

of this concept including additional wind tunnel teats, preliminary designs,

major design trade-off studies, window, window cavity, and cabling design and

testing, and selected structural and materials tests.

Since there are comprehensive DOD and NASA programs in hypersonic

vehicle structures, materials and associated manufacturing processes, details

of the McDonnell plans for structural element fabrication and test, ae part of

the advanced technology effort, should be reviewed by. the CIA prior to approval

to proceed. The NRO Staff will make available to the CIA details of the on-going

DOD and NASA programs so that complementarity may be assured.

Upon approval by the ExCom, this program will be funded from the approved

FY-67 and FY-611 budgets for aircraft research.

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