SECRET

SUFFLEWMAL GUIDANCE TO ARDC SAC AND ADC CONCERNING SANDS

Reference is made tc pszagraph li and 5 of secret letter, Inploitation.

of Initial SANDS Data, AIDSD-AT, 1 Jams 1960.

In general, same of the questions ralweibythe Under Secretary and

quoted in paragraph 4 of referenced letter cannot be finally answered

until actual= test results are known. Further, this headquarters

needs the benefit of ARDC's technical advice in order to arrive at tentative conclusions in some of the areas raised by the Under Secretary.

Following paragraphs deal with the four qnestions in paragraph 4 of referenced letter in reverse order:

Reference paragraph 4.d. At this time this headquarters does

not consider it absolutely essential that the data handling and photographic processing facilities be co-located with future control centers

in all cases, if a recovery system is determined to be the most effective operational mode. However, co-location will, be operationally maceseery if the system is resolved to a readout mods and/or a combination of

bath. It should be pointed out that Air Force has a critical targeting

requirement Which requires the continuing improvement of data handling

and processing facilities for the Strategic Air Command if that command

is to continue to maximise its operational effectiveness. In the meantime, during the R&D phase, exploitation of the R&D take can logically

be conducted a•. places other than the Sunnyvale contra facility. RID

test results should enable us to a--rive at a more definitive answer to

the question of co-location of data processing, data handling and system operational central facilities. For discussion of integration of

SANDS and MMUS control centers, see paragraph 3 below.

Reference paragraph 4.c. This headquarters recognises that all

plans for operational SANDS systems have been based on the assumption

that SANDS will be essentially a peacetime systea. Further this headquarters is aware of Bq Strategic Air Commend'a previous proposal that

the syatea be hardened. This proposal was twael loan, but in view of

the Under Secretary's question, this pcint requires serious reconsideration. For the tine being, the R&D effort and initial exploitation of

R&D take will be considered peacetime operations and hence will be conducted in soft facilities. The initial etudies in reconsideration of

the final "bard" vs "soft" configuration must be concerned with technical and budget considerations involved in hardening the minimum facilities for post strike operations.

Request ARDC vmdertake such a study to determine:

Is it possible to harden (or disperse) sufficient facilities to give the system a seasonable chance of survival?

If sobEbat are the minimum essential facilities which must

be hardened to allow operational exploitation of SANDS during and immediately after the ft: et hours of general vat? This questico should be

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answered in two parts. Part one to be based an the assumption that primary operational dependence vill be placed on readout systems and part

two on the assumption that recoverable systems eventually beacon the

'ajar operational configuration.

(3) The added funds required by fiscal year to harden facilities required by each assumption above. Atoms for this purpose that a

go-ahead will be given in late CY 1961.

Since it is recognised that any of the same personnel currently engaged

in revising the development plan vi11 be required to conduct this study,

it vill not be required until 1 Septelber.

c. Reference questions a. and b. Tbe answer to question a. is

directly dependent upon the final position an question c. Since a restudy of the "peacetime" vs. smarties" utility of the system puts eventual

use of the Martin Bomber Plant in question, the position of this beadpunters is that a smell area of this facility should not be reactivated

at this time for the interim operaticoal exploitation equipment. The

action directed by paragraph 3c. of the referenced letter should consider

all feasible methods of converting the R&D take into standard formats

(9 inch photographic film sad =1ST tapes) and providing duplicating services, bearing in mind that this is a photogrephic technical fraction

denuding extremely high competence. The reactivation of a portion of

the Martin Baker Plant for this purpose vill be authorised only if it

can be shown that this is the most efficient and economical method of

accomplishing these tasks. It is recognised that Strategic Air Command

exploitation of the R&D take, once it is reduced to standard formats, is

a different function and involves other factors. Ng Strategic Air Camsand will conduct a study of the exploitation problem (as differentiated

!maths prooessiog and duplication prohlme) using ARDC estimates of

reasonable RID "take." This study will consider all reconnaissance exploitation facilities available to the commend and total workloads. The

object of the study vill be to determine the following:

Bow bong existing facilities will be &innate for exploitation of the R&D take.

Time-phased requirements and justification far additional

facilities, if any are required.

The guidance in paragraphs 3c., 1 through 10 of the referenced letter

will be used by ARDC in estimating reasonable R&D take and by SAC in

conducting the above study. The SAC study Should be provided this headquarters by 1 August.

3. It must be recognised by all concerned that the above guidance, as

well as that contained in the letter referenced in paragraph 1 above,

has serious implications in the MMDASprogrma. Because of the joint use

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of away facilities, integration of the operational control. centers for

the two systems appears essential. It is obvious that, at least for

the next few years, both systems will be operated out of the Sunnyvale

facility. *en the final decision is made on the nature and location

of operational facilities, logic probably will force integration of the

control centers. Romer, the requirement for integrating the MIDAS

display generating facility and the HAMS data processing facility is

not so clear. Since the Sunnyvale facility probably is not capable of

handling the MIDAS display generating equipment, some other location

not be fang. The NOMAD complex in Colorado, where the BMW camsernication lines terminate, and where other warning functions are performed,

appears to be a strong possibility. Request ARC and ADC provide their

vim on the feasibility and desirability of locating this facility in

Colorado. ARDC views should be provided when the revised development

plan is submitted and ADC views within 10 days thereafter.

4. In addition to the comments specifically requested in the preceding

paragraphs, all addressees are invited to coolant on any of the ideas

and policies discussed.

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