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SCONNINNININIII

December 18, 1967

NEMORAINXD(FMTEZ DUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

SUBJECT: Drone Reconnaissance Program (6).-

In view of your decisions on the FY-1969 drone program,

I understand that questions have arisen concerning the

control of production of this 147 migh and low altitude

drones with possible gaps in delt#ery schedules. The

currant production/delivery cchedele and planned

additional procurement frua within currently approved

funding does not indicate any pctavtial gaps.. Also,

in considering so-called production gaps, it is necessary

to consider the total volume of drone production at the

contractors plant and the economical production rates for

each model. As long as related drone production is under

way, and contractor capability is preserved, it may be

desirable at times to permit production of some models

to reach very low levels or lapse. The Choice of

production schedules is best determined on the most

current pleat loading information at the time the contract

is let.

The current delivery rate was projected on estimated

requirements and"was considered to be realistic when the

orders were placed. Recent history has proven that the

projected production may not be adequate. The =ART

program was estimated to produce nine sorties per mouth

but since its deployment has only flown a total of 22

sorties in seven months for an average of 3.15 missions

per month. As you will recall, the Systems Analysis study.

of FY-1969 drone requirements was based on a schedule of

mine OXCART sorties per month. The current level of

activity from all reconnaissance systems falls far short

of fulfilling the requirements recognized in that study,

much less the requirements stated by using agencies and

commands. There certainly are not any excess drones to

permit a reduction in either the FY-1968 or 1969 approved

programs. The FY-1968 program approved 40 147S low

altitude drones and 20 147T high altitude dronefilmme at fl

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The management of the Drone Reconnaissance Program

has been accomplished in the past by authorization of the

Deputy Secretary of Defense to permit this office to

evaluate current situations, requirements and existing

funds and to recommend the moat logical ratio of high

and low altitude drones to fulfill current needs at the

time specific procurements were about to be initiated.

At present, it appears that the FY-1963 funds could best

be utilized for the following procurement:

68 69

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147T (10) 5 5

147S (55) 510109 7 7 7

The above FY-1968 procurement does blend in with the

F761969 approved program When funds become available

without creating any delivery gap, although as noted above

this is not always an overriding coosideration.

It should be noted that in the event increased enemy

actions or weather continue to restrict coverage by high

altitude manned/unmanned systems, additional funds maybe

required for an increased quantity of low altitude drones.

If further experience and evaluation validate such needs,

the Air Force would undertake to identify, within the

FY-1968 budget realignment, additional funds that could

be made available for additional drones.

the procurement of

55 147S low

I indicated

1967, the Air

Force accepts this as a planning basis for the 7/61969

bud ;at, but consideres that there will be a continuing

need, prior to- procurement commitments to reassess threat

environment*, operational experience, and operational

needs to assure responsiveness to changing national

intelligence requirements. lbh determination of the

The FY-1969 program approved

75 147T high altitude drone

altitude drones at a

in my memorandum to you of Novembe

MA PIDLe Joe-sEeaa
exact number of drones by type should be withheld until

this office can review the situation and requirements at

the time eentrastual go-ahead is needed to assure the

best force structure within approved funds.

Attached is a complete schedule of drone procurements.

In summaiy, we plan to:

Procure ten 147T high altitude drones and

55 147$ low altitude drones from existing FY-1968

programmed approved funds.

Make no further reductions of quantities of

147S or 147T drones in FY61968/1969.

c. Make a current assessment of intelligence .

collection requirements and drone inventories as FY-1969

funds become available to determine best ratio of high

and low altitide drones. If a change in approved

procurement quantities is indicated at that time, we

will advise you accordingly prior to undertaking NY-1969

procurements.

I believe it is worth stating again that while the

drone quantities included in the FY-1969 budget may or

may not meet our needs at the time they are delivered,

the premises tiara the quantities were derived do not

reflect the current situationcand the rationale used to

support the 1761969 quantities cannot be applied to drone

requirements in FY-1968.

Alexander R. Flax

Assistant Secretary

lesearch and Development

1 Attachment

Schedule of Drone Produrements

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