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MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD 

SUBJECT: Discussion regarding Project Quill 

21 March 1963 

1. A meeting was chaired by Mr. _ on 20 March 1963 in his 

Office, regarding the security aspects of Project Quill. Those in 

attendance were Mr. _ Mr. Mazza, Mr. _ Mr. _ and 

Mr._ 

2. The gist of the matter discussed at the meeting is as follows: 

Mr. Mazza: The NRO has received a message from the West Coast 

regarding IIQII which indicates that Major Bradburn will be 

coming to Headquarters some time next week to discuss the 

status of IIQII with the DNRO. I have suggested to the NRO Staff 

that preliminary meetings involving the NRO Staff and the SSC 

be held before DNRO makes a decision regarding the future of 

Project IIQIl. 

Mr. _ Program "B" has very little to offer in this respect since 

Project l1QII definitely is under the authority of Program A. How 

close is l1QII to becoming operational? 

Mr. Mazza: I do not have the exact date. It is currently regarded as 

in the research and delOelopmental stages. 

Mr. _~ The first firing of l1Ql1 is scheduled to take place in the 

middle of 1963. 

Mr. Mazza: The unique aspect of 11Ql1 is that it uses radar. The radar 

messages are "spit out" at the appropriate signal from the ground 

control station. If this radar capability was used over a denied 

area it could trigger an international crisis. 

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Mr. Mazza: The current plans are for the radar to be used over the 

United States only. The question at rns the best 

cover for "0". At the current time 

be the cover mechanism. 

Mr. _ What do you think is the best cover arrangement? 

Mr. Mazza: As it stands at this time CORONA cleared people 

know of "0". "a" cleared people know that QUILL is a research 

developmental project which uses radar. (The radar aspects are 

regarded as ared people think that OUILL 

is just anothe with a recoverable package. The 

_ people will not see the film. I believe that the proper cover 

for "0" is not essentially a security problem but more of a 

management problem. I don't believe the DNRO has completely 

thought through the working aspects as to the risks involved with 

"0". Since there are risks we must realize that there will be 

security problems. 

Mr. __ I think the concept of "Q" is splendid. We would support 

it completely. I have been advised that General Greer expects 

to watch the first LANYARD shot. This concerns me inasmuch 

as his presence in the area might blow our "skunk works" and 

focus attention on our CORONA and DISCOVERER people there. 

(150 people) suggests it might be better if "0" 

were handled on a black basis and not in the 

Mr._. Why not leave "0" as part of the DISCOVERER program 

since it involves the Thor-Agena combination? 

Mr. Mazza: The Soviets who track our satellites will know that this 

one has radar on it. The Soviet trawlers that patrol our coast 

should be able to monitor the radar i.np\.i ..... without any difficulty. 

We must keep in mind that radar in this nature is a war indicator. 

Mr. Mazza: was under the impression that "Q" could best 

remain in the DISCOVERmProgram. 

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Mr. _. Both Colonel Ruebel and Colonel Ford seezn to be horrified 

at this suggestion of Rod's. I understand that the recovery package 

designed by Lockheed should be used for QUILL. 

~ How well known is 

I have been reading about in 

Mr. Mazza: The lid has been put 

of payload data. Security in 

regarding any release 

been very effective. 

Mr. __ If QUILL is not to be under"but should be under 

DISCOVERER what will the problezns be? 

~ QUILL is a black prograzn at this tizne. _is a Departznent 

ot. Defense SECRE T Proj ect. "Q" contains radar and this will be 

generally known as soon as it goes into operation. For this reason 

it has been suggested that an Overt Prograzn such as "would 

provide the better cover then the black prograzn. 

(At this point in the discussion Mr. _ entered the roozn) 

Mr._. Mr. _, Wow.d.you give us sozne general ba'ckground 

inforznation regarding "as the result of your inspection of this 

Project last znonth. 

Mr. _is classified SECRET and is being developed under a 

~nt of Defense White CODtra~t. Since the hold down is 

only a SECRET classification it is known lar 

nuznber of people on the West Coast as a 

The basic difference between_and our r prograzns 

with respect to CORONA approxiznately. persons have access 

to inforznation because of their proxiznity to the launching pad. 

There are also approxiznately.persons with access to"on 

the launching pad but the difference is that anyone with a SECRET 

clearance can be told of.. CORONA is held down znuch znore 

The znating of the do ..... at 

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Mr. __ I have asked for a paper on the CORONA 

Program, with respect to the early conditions under which it 

operated versus the current conditions. What is especially 

important to us is a determination as to what is the secret 

that is being protected. It appears to me that if3QUILL t03w 

under.cover it will be one more thing that could "water downlf 

the security we have built around CDRONA. 

In what specific areas will QUILL be as sociated with 

ch.people will be aware of QUILL? 

Mr. Mazza: The QUILL Project is using.cover to order boost for 

their program. 

Mr. _. With respect to the recoverable package of QUILL the 

Intelligence Community must protect this. Security should 

consider a modified security plan so that"could be utilized 

for the boost for QUILL Wlder a White Contract but that the 

"skunk works" and the olaWlching 'pad facilities could be utilized 

under a black contract basis to afford better protection to the 

recoverable package. 

Mr. Mazza: If the arguement regarding the proper cover for QUILL goes 

to the DNRO for the final solution the DNRO should be aware of all 

the riSk. factors. 

Mr. _ Should QUILL be a separate clearance or a part of CORONA. 

I know this is a political question. 

M!.:... __ QUILL is not a plSSive Program. It is an offensive system. 

Mr. _ Mr. _indicates that our concern with QUILL must 

not result in a compromise in CORONA. 

Mr. Mazza: Colonel Martin has indicated he would like the technicians 

affiliated with QUILL to meet with security representatives to discuss 

the matte r in depth. 

Mr. _. Mr. _should be back from his trip by Monday. I think 

it necessary that additional discussions be held prior to any 

position statements made by the Agency to the NRO with respect 

to "Q". 

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Mr. _ From a policy point of view I have been givin.g some 

consideration to a plan wherein all satellite programs would 

be under General Greer. This would mean that CIA would 

pull all of its security people out of the "skunk works'tin 

similar installations if CIA accepts total security responsibility 

for projects regarding which we lack complete ~zation. 

There is an excellent opportunity that security . ations might 

occur because of changes with which we are not in agreement. 

(At this point Mr. _left the meeting) 

Mr. _ There are definite political ramifications regarding QUJlLL. 

If the USSR would say they have proof that the U. S. is painting 

the USSR with radar, would we have a definitive position to 

counteract this charge? The major question for our office is 

whether the radar cajability of QUILL can be utilized without 

the USSR knowing ~ are doing it. If rea should 

be used to "read out" this radar there is no the 

USSR will be aware of the radar capability of this satellite. 

The question then is whether Security has an obligation to 

advise the Special Group of the security risks in QUILL because 

of this political question. 

Mr. __ Who has made the determination that radar pictures are 

war-like actions? 

Mr. Mazza: The Pentagon thinks so. They regard radar utilized in 

this manner as a military weapon and as a war time capability. 

Mr. _. This coun~ may be asked by the USSR why the satellite is 

. utilizing aae-'er south orbit if it is not intended to paint the USSR 

with radar. I believe that the Special Group should be advised of the 

QUILL Project. 

Mr. Mazza: I do not think that there is the serious political issue involved 

here as you have indicated. 

Mr. _. Could the radar capability of QUILL be "read out" elsewhere 

than on the East Coast? If this is not the case it would appear that 

the NBO Staff should be advised of our security conc81."!l:'r.!;garding 

the political ramifications inherent on the QUILL radar being 

read out by Soviet trawlers. Lou, Do you believe it advi~e to 

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advise the NRO of this concern on a verbal basis. 

Mr. Mazza: No, I think it would be most appropriate if a formal 

memorandum was forwarded to NRO. 

Mr. _ It is my opinion that the use of QUILL definitely involves 

a security problem inasmuch as there may be a serious 

political issue arising from the results of the program. 

Mr. Mazza: I would recommend that your position in this matter be 

discussed with Major Bradburn prior to a formal position 

statement being forwarded to the NRO. 

_to The meeting was terminated with Mr. _ requesting Mr. follow developments regarding the discussions of the 

representatives from Program A with the NRO Staff • 

. SE6ftET