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DEPARTMENT OF THE MR FORCE 

WASHINGTON 20330 

r. Flax: 

Attached (Tab A) is a summary chart of MOL Program 

options (content/costs/schedules) at the $530 and $500 million 

levels in FY 69, and approximately $600 million in FY 70. 

Options A-1 and A-2 represent stretch-outs of the 

present program. Options B-1 and B-2 are "manned-only" 

programs, in that they include the completion of Phase 1B 

for the unmanned system in FY 69, add a fourth manned launch 

for planning purposes to fill in the future gap, but defer' 

further unmanned-unique development until FY 70 or later. 

Although all four program options show $600 million in FY 70 

cost estimates varied up to t$10 million from that figure 

(for example, option A-2 was $607 million; option B-1 was 

$592 million); however,' our in-house estimating process is ; 

not all that precise until we work the problem with the, 

contractors. Finally, all options contemplate the same 

manageable variance (e.g., so-called "exposure") at end-FY 

as at end FY-68. 

We very much need to provide General Bleymaier some 

program content/funding level infoplation to-day or tomorrow 

so that appropriate consultation/direction actions with the 

Associate Contractors can be taken. He, is scheduling a 

meeting with them early next week. With regard to funding/ 

content options, I believe we could start at a $530 million 

level for either the baseline or "manned-only" options and 

adjust back, if necessary, to $500 million in 2-3 months 

without undue disruption. Likewise, I believe we could start 

on the realigned program and revert back to the baseline 

program in a 'few months at the same funding level without too 

much disruption. However, ,I do not feel we could start the 

fiscal year at the $530 million level on the realigned program, 

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proceed several months, and then adjust back both to 

$500 million and the baseline program without considerable 

disruption. 

For the reasons set forth in the draft letter to Sedief 

prepared earlier this month (Tab B), I still favor the 

"manned-only" approach, completing Phase 1B on schedule by 

the end of this calendar year, and then deferring further 

unmanned-unique effort until some time in FY 70 or later. 

Also, since the Phase 1B effort will be underway for the next 

six months, the final confirmation of the decision to realign 

the program will not be made until the FY 70 budget level is.. 

established. 

With your and/or Dr. Brown's concurrence, I would like 

to send the attached message (Tab C) to General Bleymaier 

not later than tomorrow. Mr. Palley has seen this package. 

and concurs. 

S T. STEWART 

General, USAF 

Nicel)itector,;MOL Program: 

P.S. I will explore further with the possibility 

of funding a future portion of the MOL,Program in the Procure- , 

ment Appropriation. For example, we probably could substantiate.. 

funding the T-IIIM's (after the first two) and the Gemini B's 

(after the unmanned qualification launch) in that account --

and perhaps one or more of the laboratory vehicles if desired. 

This would not impact on FY 69, but could impact on FY 70 (the 

total MOL requirements would not change, but the RDT&E load 

could be lessened in FY 70 and beyond). and I will discuss 

our thoughts with you prior to my initiating any action with the 

budget people. 

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ND tFY, -770 :TO .INSURE THE 

"NMAPPROVEI:707" I 4-1"4"7"7— 

. ^ ,1:2ptASf1.1; 2015c7 

Originator: 

SAFSL 

Date: 27 June 1968 

Precedence 

EMAN CONTROL CHANNELS 

Classification 

DOR,±AN 

.• 

FO' GENERAL BLEYMAIER .FROM ;GENERAL STEWART 

DR:'FLAX HAS:DIRECTED . THAT THEMOL:TROGRAMBE REALIGNED AND 

• • ., 

AS NECESSARY:: IN ACCORD' WI*: THE i 

1. PLAN. ON . $530 MILLION:1 . NOS $600 .MILLION NOit• IN 

FY 

2. PLAN ON CONTINUING: THE PRES T 'FISCAL —MANAGEMthsir UNDERSTANDING 

WITH THE ASSOCIATE CONTRACTOR$1114PP 

BEST POSSIBLE UTILIZATION OBLIGATING AUTHORITY : THOSE . YEARS. 

• .• . • -.. : 

37. REALIGN THE. PRigEk BASELINE.PROGRAM ;TOWARD: A-SIX IlUNCH 

, . •. . 

MANNED-ONLY PROGRAM. HOWEVER,, COMPLETE PHASE 1B FOR .M.E.UNMANNED SYSTEM 

AS PRESENTLY SCHEDULED IN FY 69, BUT DEFER ALL OTHER DEVELOPMENT AND/OR 

• • • 

I

Officer BYBMANCONTROL CHANNELS ONLY 

• %. 

Releasing &rim; , 
NRO ApPR R tiv/EiDasoR 

• a Sheet E .16" "M 

BYEMAN CO.7■73.01 (., cklANNA 

• 

PROCUREMENT UNIQUE TO UNMANNED SYSTEMS UNLESS DIRECTED OTHERWISE. 

4. IN THE REALIGNED SIX LAUNCH PROGRAM: RESCHEDULE 

IPRESENTLY PLANNED TWO UNMANNED' QUALIFICATION. LAUNCHES AS NECESSARY . . . 

SCHEDULE THE FIRST MANNED. LAUNCH (FV-3) NOT LATER' THAN DECEMBER. 1971"....,t 

10VEMBER, IF POSSIBLE, AND ESTABLISH A:4-5 MONTH LAUNWINTERVAL F 

SUBSEQUENT MANNED LAUNCHES. 

5. DO NOT EXPECT GUIDANCE BEFORE DECEMBER, WHEN THE FY 70 

',.BUDGET.ESTIMATE FOR MOL IS OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED, AS TO POSSIBLE . 

REINITIATION OF THE UNMANNED DEVELOPMENT EFFORT IN FY•70... IN THAT REGARD, 

THE FY 69 AND FY 70 NOA.PLANNING FIGURES GIVEN.IN PARA 1 ABOVE PERTAIN ONL 

TO THE SIX-LAUNCH REALIGNED. PROGRAM:(WHICH,INCLUDES COMPLETION OF PHASE 1B 

IN FY 69). IF THE UNMANNED'EFFORT IS REINITIATED IN 'FY 70; AN APPROPRIATE 

BUDGET.ADJUSTMENT WILL:BE MADE. 

6. INSURE THAT THEASSOCIATECONTRACTORS. CLEARLY UNDERSTAND .• ), • • . . • . .• . 

THAT, AT THIS POINT IN TIME,.:

. 

 EXCEPTJOR':CbMPLEIW. PHASE 1B IN FY 69, WE 

HAVE ONLY DEFERRED LATER TOWARD AN 

UNMANNED MOL. THE SYSTEMS. OFFICE AND THEASSOCIATECONTRACTORS MUST.INSURE1' 

THAT NO CONFIGURATIONT.CHANGE$ ARE MADE:OR±:OTHRiACTIONS TAXEN*HICH WOULD 

MAKE UNDULY DIFFICULT RE INITIATION OF.THE UNMANNED EFFORT :AT . A LATER DATE 

SO DIRECTED. 

riginating Officer: 

Ma Gen JAMES T STEWART GER. JAMES 

STEWART.: