SOPOXCART
I. BACKGROUND2 DEVELOPMENT
HISTORICAL:
The OXCART program concept began in7reliminary design study effort involving Lockheed and Convair focusingollow-on toircraft. In9 this study phase was completedreliminary contract award to Lockheed. Inontract was awarded tohitney for the development of8 engine. In2 the first aircraft was rolled out and in2 the first flight was completed.light was attained in Inimited operational contingency capability at Machas established for overflight of Cuba. Much5 has been spent in aircraftwhich were based on lessons learned from flight test experience. Recent flight experience indicates substantial systems improvement and hasapability to repeatedly fly ator prolonged durations and at altitudes0 feet. With additional systems refinement and simulated mission demonstration now underway, an operational capability should be attained by December of this year.
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RADAR cross SECTION:
Though2 aircraft radar cross-section has been reduced considerably, the aircraft can be detected by Soviet radar. Defensive electronic countermeasures equipments have been developed, tested and installed to considerably reduce the risk to the aircraftostile environment. Further efforts to reduce radar cross-section are under consideration and development of second generation countermeasures equipment is underway.
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implemented concurrently with manufacturerial and error method as experience was gained. Flight demonstration has substantiated these techniques.
Air inlet and controls. Approximately two years of flight test were expended prior to the demonstration of acceptable reliability permitting repetitivelight. The fast reaction times required and repeatable accuracy demanded bypeeds and temperatures coupled with rapid airflow transients lead to additional controlwhich in themselves required development, refinement, and confi rmation.
Fuel tank acalant life at high Mach temperatures. Development of sealants to continuously withstandtemperatures has come hard and is nol now delaying the program. Development is continuing for higher temperature capabilities.
Durability and maintenance of high temperature electrical wiring and connectors. This program has had to spearhead the state-of-the-art improvement in this area where this equipment must remain durable in
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the face of repetitive sustained high Mach flights coupled with making and breaking connections during routine maintenance. This condition has contributed to current problems involving communicationsreliability.
Turbine inlet temperature profile, Flight demonstration has substantiated ground engine qualification testing in this area at rated temperature of
Controls accuracy development. Engine power control accuracy is critical atpeeds and must exhibit extremely tight tolerances from sub-zero toenvironmental temperatures with widely varying fuel flows. Flight demonstration is now substantiating this required accuracy.
Engine life at high Mach flight. While acceptable engine durability has been demonstrated over many flights, inspections must be made after every ten hours ato Insure acceptability of the combustion section. Flight and ground test development is continuing for the purpose of increasing these inspection intervals.
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PRESENT STATUS STATISTICS:
Number of
Total number of
,
MaximumFt.
Maximum time at MACHHours
Longest SupersonicHours ours above
ircraftrainer)
Number of flights and total hours above certain MACH numbers (thru
MACH
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AIRCRAFT MODIFICATION PROGRAM:
Aa flight testing of2 aircraft proceeded various problems emerged which required modification to the basic design. These modifications were primarily in the areas of propulsion, electrical and communication systems. As of this date, four aircraft have been modified. Throe are currently undergoing modification; three are assigned as flight test aircraft; and onewo-place trainer.
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OXCART
RELIABILITY:
Flying accomplished subsequent to the recent aircraft
modification program has demonstrated considerable
improvement in aircraft performance and ancillary systems.
Specifically, the air inlets, the camera, navigation and flight control systems have demonstrated repeatability of performance. However, secondary problems remain in such areas as cockpit instrumentation and oil pressure transducers but an intensive program is underway to solve them.
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VULNERABILITY AND ECM STATUS:
All electronic countermcaiurea equipments scheduled for current use in2 are on hand. These systems have been flown and operated successfully2 aircraft.
These systems in combination with the operational speed and altitude of the aircraft and tbe unique anti-radar plastic panels on the airframe, give2 an acceptable level of invulnerability to unfriendly environments.
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III. OPERATION BLACK SHIELD
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of BLACK SHIELD is to employ2 to provide photographic coverage of critical targets in China and Southeast Asia. This capability will be formed by2 aircraft and necessary resources to Kadena AB, Okinawa.
With the increased CH1COM defensesissiles andircraft) certain areas in China have been denied toircraft. It is anticipated that the number of such areas will Increase with time. While the satellite reconnaissance program can satisfy long-range requirements, it does notuick reaction capability to meet Community requirements. 2 aircraft, operationally ready and pre-positioned, can maintain an on-call quick reaction capability to crisis situations.
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PLAN OF ACTION:
A detachment comprised ofeople with2 aircraft and necessary support equipment will be deployed to Kadena AB, Okinawa. The Strategic Airrd Air Refueling Squadron from Beale AFB, California, will deploy to Kadena AB and provide necessary tanker support for air refueling.
Necessary temporary facilities required to support2 detachment at Kadena have been furnished by DOD and are essentially ready for use.
Operational missions will be planned, directed, and controlled by CIA hcudquarters as approved by higher authority against targets of Community interest. The lnttial operational period will bedays duration during which time approximately eightmissions can be flown. Mission pilots will be American civilians under contract to CIA.
The ope rational mission profile will be flownpeed ofith range extension provided by aerial refuelings, which will be accomplished enroute outside the enemy Early Warning net. The minimum penetration altitude will0 feet. With aerialhe majority of critical targets in China and Southeast Asia can be photographed by
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During late December it is planned to conduct an operational
readiness test of2 detachment and supporting forces prior to deployment. This will include simulated operational mission generation and actual launch and flight of2 within the Zone of Interior.
2 willearly January with an
enroute stop at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. The2 aircraft should be in place at Kadena AB, Okinawa, by mid-January. The aircraft and detachment will be readied to conduct the firstmission on
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DECISION DATES: (See Attached Chart)
In order to meet the BLACK SHIELD operational date ofhere are four major preparatory actions which
Movement of advance party and
airlift of materiel. Decision by this date will provide necessary
time for the coordination of airlift) preparation of materiel and
actual movement during the last week of November.ounds of materiel will be airlifted.
2. By Personnel airlift. The majority
of2 detachment personnel are scheduled for deployment to Kadena AB during the first week of
Deployment of Thistime for the deployment of aircraft to Kadena AB andof the aircraft into an operationally readyto the6 target date.
First operational mission approval.
If the first operational mission is to be executed onhe approval decision must be made by6 to provide time for necessary planning and coordination within the government and with the operating detachment. This will require approval from the highest authority.
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Decision Date
NOV
"X
AIRLIFT I
IA
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15 DEC
AIRCRAFT MOVEMENT
OMMITTEE
AN
FIRST MSN APPROVAL
OMMITTEE fc PRESIDENT
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IV. COVER AND SECURITY
The possible political consequences of what might be construedilitary mission necessitate operations in an essentially civilian and covert atmosphere.
The aircraft will operate without military markings. The operating detachment willilitary designation, but will be predominantly civilian, with the bulk of personnel representing Lockheed andhitney. The detachment commander and senior staff, however, will be Air Force officers or CIA civilians under Air Force cover.
Since the unique vehicle and nature of the operation will provoke many questions that cannot be answeredlausible cover story, preliminary thinking is that emphasis will be on security rather than cover. Maximum physical controls will be in effect. The unit will create the illusion, at least, that some sort of environmental or technical testing is involved. As necessary, the operation will be described as classified, with no details to be released.
In the event of an operational loss over hostile territory, the pilot will be instructed to admit CIA affiliation.
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Original document.
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