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BRIEFING NOTE FOR THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
SUBJECT: OXCART Utilization Over Cuba
In response to your recent comments exploring the useeconnaissance vehicle other thanver Cuba we must disqualify ourselves regarding Air Force aircraft such ass's without time consuming research. ogical successor to, we have examined the OXCART vehicle as to its availability and probability of survival. The review considers two speed regimes, mach5 and mach. Related considerations are briefly outlined below.
Mach5 Capability:
a. imited capability has been demonstrated at this speed regime. Performance data has been validated which would provideon-refueled range of0 NM and an average penetration altitudeeet.
Hardware: Five aircraft presently availabl possess this capability. Eight Project
this speed regime. Payload systems have been qualified, c. Restrictions:
(1) Unacceptable performance of theendezvous system. Qualification is expected by Theof air tactics and training for the Project pilots and tanker aircraft crews should be completed byerial refuelings could be accomplished using ground control vectoring and radio navigation aids with attendent increase in operational risk.
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d. Vulnerability:
n essential element of OXCART vulnerability estimates are computer simulations of the vehicle against theeapon system. Intelligence information recently acquired from the
Ihas brought forth two major differences in the
guidance equations for GUIDELINE as contrasted to earlier estimates. These two terms give theystem improved capability and modify previously recommended operational procedures.
n order to guarantee survivability with the OXCART vehicle at mach5 It is necessary toath no closer than aboutM to anyite, to use launch detection equipment to determine GUIDELINE launch, and to turn away from the siteg level. If, however, theM offset or the maneuver fails.the vehicle is very susceptible. Miss distances become of the order ofeet under these conditions. When noise jammers become available iniss distances increase but notafe level. In any event, launch must be detected. Either the signal intercept package or the Red Dog System (both available inillaunch signal even thoughisk of false alarms. The missile launch indicator radar which should drastically reduce the false alarm rate is scheduled for use by The Fan Song RF Direction Finder, which is to be available ins also necessary for determining the proper.turn direction. However, If the locations of all theites are known.and with appropriate mission planning, the correct turn direction can be determined without the Direction Finder.
3. Machapability:
a. Status: All assigned Detachment aircraft are presentlyariable bypass modification which will permit sustained flight to machnd above. The estimated non-refueled range at this speed regime should be approximatelyM; average penetration altitude should0 feet. An operational capability at this speed regime without aerial refuelings should be attained
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during the period fromctober
Priority for the variable bypassbeen established for four Detachment aircraft and shouldduring Project pilot training in thisshould be completed during Thecapability, though not expected toroblem, willduring this period.
In order to guarantee survivability with the machehicle it is necessary toath no closeroM to anyite, to use launch detection equipment to detect GUIDELINE launch, and to turn away from the siteg level.
IfoM path ia not maintained or no turn is taken, the miss distance becomes very low without noise jamming. Whan the noise jammer becomesn January he combination of jamming and velocity increase (over the mach5 vehicle) will appreciably increase the miss distance but not, in all cases,ompletely safe level.
4. Concept of Operation:
Until an aerial refueling capability has beenwould launch and recoverlorida base,Air Force Base.
Once an aerial refueling capability hasmissions would launch and
would be planned, directed and controlled byand executed in the field by Agency personnel.
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5. Recommendation:
a. Overflight missions against Cuba at mach5 are not recommended because of the following reasons:
The machapability should be attained almost simultaneously with the availability of minimum necessary defensive systems.
The one-third increase in range at machould provide more operational flexibility and greater target coverage.
The reducedvoidance path would permit higher photographic quality.
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Distribution:
- DCI
- DCI
- DDCI
-
-usrt
A/OSA
ech/OSA
XC/OSA
S/OSA
- RB/OSA
- Holdback
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ARC-50
Signal Intercept Package
Refueling Rendezvous Equipment
Intercept and record signals of interest to determinelight the extent to which it was tracked
OF TEST
4
4
DATE'
4 all aircraft equipped
4 with four units and ground processing gear
DOG
missile lift-off indicator using missile guid ance commands as the indication. Also optional active transmission of false commands to the missile
-4
ith two units using flight test gear.
SONG RF Direction Finder
F signal. Locate and position radar site in range and azimuth within vulnerable zone. Also provides reference signals for correlation with RED DOG
-4
ith two unite using flight test gear
and C- Band Noise Jammer
Missile Launch Indicator Radar
target range from FAN-4
to force missile into three-point guidance mode.
Detect missile approximately-5
seconds after launch while
missile io In boost phase.
Identify by doppler frequency
shift.
ith two units using flight test gear
5 with two units using flight test gear
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Original document.
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