•

NIADQVAIITINS

AIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMAND

5515 WARS AM Ma

Anirms Alt Pews

Widdeffwi It C.

15 September 1959

it)

wines OP

TIPS CONINANDOlt,

•

0/12 has no

General Thomas D. White

Chief of Staff

United States Air Force

Washington 25, D. C.

Dear General White:

I am deeply concerned over the events which are besetting

the SAMOS Program. These events have jeopardised the Air Force

objective to achieve the capability of performing satellite reconnaissance in the visual and ferret areas in satisfaction of stated

national intelligence requirements.

Of major concern to me are the problem areas that follow:

ARPA directed in June of this year a deferment of the

recoverable capsule planned for the SAMOS Program and withdrew

all FY '60 program support for this portion of the system. On

4 September ARPA authorised us to proceed on an extremely limited

basis with certain long lead time items, but as yet have not clarified

the funding status. Instead, we are required to again reexamine this

portion and provide a detailed technical and funding breakdown item by

item against projected monthly expenditure rates. The Air Force has

reacted to ARPA's action by indecision and has not capitalised on the

opportunity to place this vital element of the program under firm Air

Force control. In this particular case I strongly reaffirm the facts

and recommendation" made to you in my letter of 1 August 1959. and

again emphatically urge immediate positive Air Force support of the

program.

ARPA funding support of the SAMOS R&D program has been

marked by changing decision where we are forced into a dav-to-day

type planning for conduct of the program. Establishment of a logical

plan and execution of that plan in terms of procurement. scheduling,

production, test and operation of SAMOS has been rendered essentially

impossible. I discussed this matter also in my letter to you of 1 August.

" * .•

• • •
B. A. SCHRIEVER

Lieutenant General, USAF

Commander

e cf- --ceee"

recognise the deleterious effect the changing ARPA fiscal plans have

on the Air Force R&D program. The currently recognised and accepted

definition of funding responsibilities of ARPA and the Air Force make

it appropriate that the Air Force fund and support the operational

aspect of SAMOS. Funding authorisation from the Air Force is required

immediately to permit initiation of procurement actions necessary in

the planned operational program if we are to retain October 1961 as the

date we are to realise operational capabilit y . To date, I have not

received official notification of an Air Force decision regarding the

extent of funding support planned for either the R&D or operational

programs of SAMOS.

A state of indecision exists within the Air Force as to the

planned availability of the Vandenberg Launch Complex 65-1 for use in

the operating portion of the SAMOS Program. Although this has been

a much discussed point by members of both the Air Weapons Board and

the Air Council. the Hq USAF message AFOOP-R RS74d0e to Hq SAC

stating that Launch Complex 65-I will not be made available to the

SAMOS- Program is the latest official position of which I have knowledge.

Considerable augmentation of both FY '60 and l e l 'el Air Force fund

requirernents•for the operational SAMOS Program i • needed immediately

if SAMOS is deprived the use of 65-1.

There is growing concern that the problems associated with

construction and use of the PMR - Point Argue:io complex for the SAMOS

R&D launches are increasing and threaten to slip the planned SAMOS

launch schedule. Definitisatior. of inter-service roles and responsibilities

at Pt. Arguello for SAMOS will be required, particularly when it is

becoming clear that operational launches should also be considered at

that site.

In view of the national importance Of the SAMOS Program and the

grave impact delayed decisions can have on the Air Force capability to

satisfy national intelligence requirements. I strongly urge that a firm

Air Force position be established regarding the SAMOS Program, that

funding actions he taken to permit irnpI e mentat:on of the program activities

required in support of that position, and that action be taken at the highest

levels to resolve the AF /Navy positions xggarding the Pt. Arguello

problem.