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DEPARTMENT 0,: TH;;:.. ,".:R FOR-.;E 

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STAT-.CS AIR FORCE 

WAS!-lIf'>GTON. D.C. 

6 November 1970 

1fEMORANDUM FOR SAFSS (Colonel Sw ey) 

SUBJECT: Director's Report for the EXCOM 

In view of Mr. Cline!s 4 September 1970 memorandum 

and ~he recent briefings presented to the COMIREX and 

State Department, believe it would be useful to include 

the attached summary of aircraft and drone resources 

in the Director's Report. 

1 At~achment 

Summary 

~-:-:----t,-r:·, /,l ~,'ILJ( , . L/,-,. ~t.C... FRANK W. HARTLEY, ~r. 

Colonel, USAF 

Director, Program D 

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AIRCRAFT AND DRONES 

INTRODUCTION 

!~,~"",<>~ Hirl ;,.,·tn"'~1~tt~ ~., .... 4~ ~4'" V ~ ~ U ~f tl~rlftiiJ 

GomruI System 

In light of Mr. Cline's 4 Sep 70 memorandum to Mr. Helms 

addressing coverage of both crisis and strategic reconnaissance, it is useful to briefly review existing NRP aircraft 

and drone resources that could be used to supplement satellite 

reconnaissance. The use of aircraft and drones in a denied 

overflight role has been restricted in recent years, probably 

more from political considerations - "their provocative nature" -

than from actual risk assessment. The aircraft are equipped 

with defensive systems that ~nable penetration over denied 

territory. These resources are in being, and in addition, 

they represent an especially valuab10 asset for use in a 

permissive overflight environment, i.e.: Project Even Steven, 

or for the stand-off, peripheral collection mode. 

THE TAG BOARD DRONE 

Twenty (20) TAGBOARD drones remain in the inventory 

today. Six of these are maintained at Beale AFB in an 

operational status to provide a quick response capability. 

Unfortunately, the system has not ye~ proven itself in an 

operaiional environment. I believe we should have a bet~er 

appreCiation for the capabilities of this drone after the 

pending South China mission. Potentially the operating 

characteristics of TAGBOARD offer an excellent means to supplement the satellites in both crisis and strategic reconnaissance. 

U-2 AIRCRAFT 

Currently the CIA and Air Force each maintain a six 

aircraft U-2R fleet. The aircraft are used primarily in 

photo reconnaissance missions in the Mid-East, SEA, Cuba and 

off the coast of China. In addition, as , result of stated 

NSA reqUirements, the NRP is buying $5. 4MI~ _____ ---, ____ ~-~ 

equipment for the Air Force fleet in FY-71. These] ] 

equipped aircraft will be ready for deployment to any overseas 

operating location by March of 1971. As evidenced by the 

current use of the U-2R in the Mid-East and considering the 

expanded [ [capability of the Air Force fleet, 

it appears likely that there will be increased future utilization of the U-2R f10et. 

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SR-7l AIRCRAFT 

The Air Force maintains a total of 16 SR-71 aircraft, 

operating from the home base (Beale AFB) and from Kadena AB; 

Ol<::in;:;..wa against requirements in SEA and North Korea. Current 

plans are to reduce the number of SR-71's flying from 16 

t~ 12 starting in FY-72. An enhanced crisis response 

capability could be provided by retaining the 16 aircraft 

fleet. 

AIRCRAFT IN STORAGE 

Ten (10) of the older model U-2C/G aircraft ana Ilve (5) 

of the nine (9) Oxcart (A-12) aircraft in storage could be 

returned to an operational configuration if there was sufficient 

need. 

FUTURE PROGRA.M:S 

It must be recognize~ that the aircraft and drone systems 

described above, i.eo, U-2, SR-71, and TAGBOARD, came off the 

drawing boards in 1954, 1959, and 1963 respectively. There 

have been a number of new system studies since then, but no 

actual hardware developments. If a continuing need is visualizE~ for aircraft or drones to supplement satellite coverage 

in the future, I would propose further study of suitable airborne platforms capable of meeting prOjected future threats. 

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