geno

c : Nov 6 1998
SUBJECT: (U) Priority of WS 117L Program fer Early Warning
TO: Chief of Stat, URAF

Headquarters UBAF

Washington 25, D.C.

1 A status report by the AFBMD te the 21 October 1988
Ws 117L Weapen System Phasing Group revesied a serious program
deficiency. The infrared effort was found to exist cn a minimum
custaining basis with possible Program termination by [$ December
3958. Since thie program offers the greatest ingle potential fer
waraing, extracrdinary meaas to Preserve it are considered justified. (s)

2. This Command has indorsed the military exploitation of epace
and recognises the Contribution ef the Momedical program now a part of

the WS 117L development effort, However, aa earlier, more significant,
military contribution may be realised by adjustment of prierities te

3. This correspondence classified Secret te protect information
regarding future missile Programs, (U)

THOMAS 8, POWER

DWL (GAC MIKE) 56-46

C5-0019K
— SECRET Aah 2.


* tetby

Excerpts {rom "Final Report of the

Systems," dated 15 January 59, Scientific Advisory Beard 652 =

Ad Hoe Committee on Air Defense

Recommendation 7: Infra-red Satellite Agack Alarm System,

The development of the balli,

etie-mi setle-attack-elaym syotem

Prepesed ac & part of the USAF Sentry (WS-117L) sytem cheuld be

in giving Umely warning of a barrage attack. The attack-alarm program
a8 proposed by AFBMD should be approved, funded, and given the highest
Priority in the 117L program. We believe that the USAF should urge the
defense department and ether government departments te seek inter-

Discussion.
‘The attack-alarm system pr:

‘eposed es part of the Seatry program

uses infra-red detection equipment which appears te be feasible fer
viewing the flame of high-thrust rocket engines, and instantaneous
direct Une-ef-sight readout of detected signale to receiving stations on

friendly tarritery. The mission of

the attack-alarm eystem-- that of

detecting and giving warning of a massive ICBM attack--is of the utmost

importance,

Under these cireumstances,

the Committes recommends that the

development of the attack-alarm system should be given the highest
priority in the 117L program. seeeee

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"CH DOIY

—SEGRET- Lye


SERRET

REPORT OF THE AD HOC TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD

te the

EVALUATION OF TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY
OF INFRARED MISSILE DEFENSE ALARM
FROM SATELLITE VEHICLES


= ge

. Headquarters
North American Air Defense Commaad
Ent Air Force Base
Colorado Springs, Colorado

16 December 1958
SUBJECT: W8-117L Infrared Satellite Program (8)

TO: Joint Chiefs of Staff
Washington 25, D. C.

1. On 30 April 1958, CINCNORAD wrete the Chief of Staff USAF,
ae Executive Ageat for NORAD, recommenting the secelerated develop-
ment of an alteraate means of detection for ICBM sad suggested that
a possible solution might be available in the infrared versien of the
WS-117L Project.

2. Since that time we have been briefed on this subject by the
staff of the Ballistics Missiles Division of the Air Force and have alse
discussed it with Mr. Roy W. Johnsen aad his staff from the Advanced
Research Project Agency. Asa resuit of these discussions, it seems
evident that the development of the WS-117L infrared tracking system
is a feasible and practical possibility.

3. It should be emphasised that recent developments in protective
Coatings, reduction in cross-sectional srea of nose-cones, susceptibility
to electronic warfare, the sorting problem to eliminate decoys and other
space objects and restrictions imposed by site selections may significantly
reduce the effectiveness of any system based upon radar. It is esseatial
that an alternate means of early warning of approaching ballistic missiles,
complementary te radar, be developed. If the infrared version of WB-117L
lives up to its design specifications, it will meet our requirements ia
providing en independent system of high accuracy, reliability aad imrmsalty
to known countermeasures.

4. It is strongly recommended that the development of the WE-117L
infrared tracking system be treated as a matter of the highest ‘ergeney.

Copy Furntehed: E. X. PARTRIDGE
C/8 USAF as Exec. General, USAF
Agent for NORAD | Commander ~in-Chief
Cc
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SECRET Lnek F


act

~SEORET

ia parallel. For example, should the eignal to bechground problem appear
tee dffieuls, » way cut appears possible through the mecheniera of relying
entizely en over -the-horizon Scanning. In fact, it appeare werthwhile te
carefelly consider this Possibility new. ,

CG-001G ¥

4.0. 4?


a Rae __ 15 September 1959

seep mes

ogee
HEADQUARTERS . : ‘a
AIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMAND a

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Andrews Ait Pores Bese

7

Washington 25, D. C.

General Thom.s D: White
Chief of Staff :°
United States Air Force :
Washington 25, D. C.

Dear General White:

The gravity of recent decisions placing severe administrative aan
and funding restrictions on the MIDAS development program compels
me to bring my views to your personal attention. These restrictions
will, with certainty, delay the attainment of an operating system -
capable of warning the nation of a ballistic missile attack. I regard.
the problem of adequate warning of a ballistic missile attack as a matter
of the greatest national urgency requiring the strongest combined efferts . P
of our military and industrial base to achieve the earliest possible ryt ky
operational capabitity. The attached memorandum for the Secretary .
of Defense from Under Secretary of the Air Force Macintyre, and letters
to you from General Power and to the Joint Chiefs from General Partridge
fully support this view. .

It appears that the best means of detecting ballistic missiles is
at the initial stage ot-their launch, using infra-red equipped satellites.
The relative immunity of MIDAS to known countermeasures suggests ite
joint employment with radar systems in a mutual support role to provide
effective and reliable warning and defense for national survival.

There have been many technical evaluations of MIDAS during the
past year. The attached reports of two formally constituted ad hoc groups
composed of outstanding scientific persons confirm the technical feasibility
of the MIDAS development and recommend that it be pursued with the
highest priority.

The urgency and importance of achieving national defense require-

ments and the reasonable certainty of technical feasibility strongly justifies
that the concurrent development approach with which you are familiar be

TTERET-ayg C9000


on erin of bf ae
mesic Pe ons We regard thie geacral approach to
ratosile on 86 one of the moot importast enes te bank on beesase
of the (aherent high emision of missile propulsive systems. Essentially
we are dealing here with & simple method based cc & few physion! laws

and one that oan net readily be circumvented. W.
strongly that development und test fights ef ine mite east to tieas
be pursued with top priority

The catellite infrared detection system supplements the BMEWS
radar system {7 many ways, principally by alerting it. it relies on
different characteristics of the attacking missiles. In addition, the radar
systers gives later but confirmstery informs tien on the date from the
attack alarm system. The deception and countermeasure problems for
the two eystems are very different. Together, the two fystems enn give
more reliable warning of berrage etteck.

The review beard has confined iteclf easentially to the question of
the technical feasibility of long range detection of ICBM lauachings from
& satellite vebicle.

lL, The detectibility of missiles when they are shove the horison has
been convincingly demonstrated by the LOW CARD observations and by
Other data. The signal strength and ranges involved are such that there
is Little doubt that detection by the satellite at the required ranges (out to
ebout 3,000 miles) can be achieved in the absence of beckgroend, namely
when locking abeve the horisen or at aight.

c


achedules. The Air Force considers this project te be of the highest
priority aad that, So faz as the Air Fores ie concerned, ABRPA's request
for Emergency Funds fer thie project ie to be considered « peice elaim
to amy Air Focee requests fer Emergency Funds.

Signed
Distribetion : Malcelm A. Macintyre
Mr. Roy Jehasoa : Under
Gea Roacee Wilson
Gen McCorkle
Chief of Staff
Gen Friedman
Mz. Raymer
Mz. Garlock
sare
Ole of sig
. ABAMT-19
OBAF file
0 :
CF 0019
2 WDGEU-63-59, Series A

ET 1.6 ,*


Aer te
Teer Fete

Re-writtes by Mr. Maelatyre,
12 Feb 59/be ,

12 Feb 59
MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARY OF DEFEWE

Aa you knew, the Air Force and ARPA have been carrying on
& ovstaining development Program in the field of infra-red detection
satellites. Tate modest program has been contioned in ender to sestain

In the past months, the Air Ferce, in Conjunction with ARPA,
definitized the MIDAS Program which would initiate fell senle accelerated
development to attain ac early capability im this field,

Tt 1s my understanding that the Direster of ARPA hae requested
your approval aad augmentation of funding fee this program. In addition,
the Air Ferce will sary eeram available funds in order te precsed with
the complete FY 1989 program.

clopeaeet at Syreriaenasioe the Al Force position jo to the ergency
werning ve mone hit sTsiamn and ite capability te sehieve the vory Ceory
‘nrning 00 necocsazy to alr defence end our retaliatory copantiony

si 1s requested that expeditions ction be taken te approve the

ARPA 1 wera and fond sugmentation a9 requnsted by te Dive nny of
AAPA in order tw attain the proseatiy planed ight wet vod canst tectaigat

cory


|

-SEGRET—

followed on the MIDAS program. This method of management requires
adequate funding and streamlined administrative procedures at all levels
in order that the potential offered by this system will be exploited fully
and expeditiously. However, the program is presently inadequately funded
to permit concurrent development. The FY '60 estimate to properly fund
the program ia $109.7 M, yet only $46.9 M has been approved. Even if
thia deficiency was overcome in FY '61, I estimate that the program

will ship about one year behind schedule.

Recently the Air Staff has expressed the willingness to, fund the

j Program as presented by AF BMD to the Air Council and ARPA. There is

an understandable reluctance however to accomplish internal Air Force

reprogramming for a space development program which is not fully
approved by the Defense Department.

With the present Department of Defense and Air Force administrative
and management arrangements, it has become virtually impossible to get
approva! for, and implement, a development plan without experiencing
undesirable delays and severe program readjustments. Waste of money
and loss of valuable time are the inevitable result.

1 strongly recommend, therefore, that you obtain from Dr. York
a positive decision to proceed with MIDAS as an operational system in
order that the Air Force can continue concurrently with research and
development and with the operational support aspects of the program, In
this way, we can assure the earliest possible availability of a missile de-
tection and alarm weapon system.

5 Incle: Yt ER
1, Memo Sec'y Def Lieutenant General, USAF
12 Feb 59 (S) Commander
2. Ltr to CofS (USAF)
8. Nov 58 (S)

3. Ltr to JCOS
16 Dec 59 (S)°

4, Repad hoc TAB
26 Feb 59 (S)

5. Excerpte ad hoc ADS
15 Jan SS)

—SEGRET

C9-00/9f

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