MEMO TO THE PRESIDENT FROM W. F. RABORN RE A-12 AIRCRAFT FLEW NONSTOP FROM ITS

Created: 8/20/1965

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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WASHINGTON 2B, O. C

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FOR THE PRESIDENT

On2 aircraft flew nonstop from its secret

Orlando, Florida, back to the

then to Kansas City and return to its base. The flight was accomplished exactly as planned, simulating an operational mission with two air refuelings and three cruise legs. On each leg of the mission the aircraft cruised at its designed operational speed of Macht altitudeseet. The flightotal distance0 nautical milesours andinutes, including air refueling times. otal timeours andinutes was flown at cruise speed of Mach. The aircraft landed in excellent condition with only three minor malfunctions.

The significant aspects of this flight are:

There were no air-flow disturbance conditionsin the engine air inlets--not even minor roughness. (This is the classic problem that plagues supersonic speed turbojet aircraft).

There were no electrical system problems.

There were no heat problems to the aircraft engines,

or pilot due to the prolonged high speed, high temperature flight.

flight is an important milestone and increasesthat we shouldeliable, operational aircraftfuture.onths for further validation.)

f. r. Robom W. F. RABORN

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