The Archangels: Book Two - CIA Area 51 Chronicles (The CIA Area 51 Chronicles 2) by TD Barnes

Author:TD Barnes [Barnes, TD]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2017-06-06T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8 - Targeting the OX

After the unhappy end of U-2 flights over the Soviet Union, US political authorities became understandably cautious about committing themselves to further manned reconnaissance over unfriendly territory. No one expressed any serious intention of using the A-12 over Russia. Save for some unforeseeable emergency; no one felt it was necessary to do so. What then, should they do with this vehicle?

The first interest was in Cuba. By early 1964, project headquarters began planning for the contingency of flights over that island under a program designated SKYLARK. Bill Park’s accident at the beginning of July held this program up for a time. However, on 5 August Acting, DCI Marshall S. Carter directed that SKYLARK achieve emergency operational readiness by 5 November. At Area 51, the CIA prepared a small detachment to overfly Cuba, though at something less than the full design capability of the A-12. The goal was to operate at Mach 2.8 and 80,000 feet altitude.

Meeting the deadline set by General Carter required the CIA validating the A-12’s camera performance, qualifying pilots for Mach 2.8 flight, and coordination with arranging supporting elements. Only one of several types of equipment for electronic countermeasures (ECM) was ready by November.

A senior intragovernmental group, including representation from the president’s Scientific Advisory Committee, examined the problem of operating over Cuba without the full complement of defensive systems. This panel decided the first few overflights could safely occur without them, however, felt the ECM necessary after that. The delivery schedule of ECM equipment was compatible with this course of action.

After considerable modifications to aircraft, the detachment simulated Cuban missions on training flights and announced a limited emergency SKYLARK capability on the date General Carter had set. With two weeks’ notice, the A-12 detachment could carry out a Cuban overflight, though with fewer ready planes and pilots than planned.

During the following weeks, the detachment concentrated on developing SKYLARK into a sustained capability, with five ready pilots and five operational aircraft. They needed to figure out aircraft range and fuel consumption, reach repeatable, reliable operation, and finish pilot training. They prepared a family of SKYLARK missions, and coordinate routes with North American Air Defense, Continental Air Defense, and the Federal Aviation Authority. They did this without hindering the primary task of working up OXCART to full design capability. One may expect the story, however, by remarking that despite all this preparation, the U-2s proved adequate, ending the need to fly an A-12 reconnaissance mission over Cuba. The CIA reserved the A-12 for more critical situations.

Even before Poteat finished his PALLADIUM project, it became apparent that, if the A-12 Project OXCART could not fly stealthily. Nonetheless, it could operate safely, relying on its superior performance to outfly the SA-2 missiles.

The CIA realized the need for a stable of effective electronic countermeasures systems in the future. Poteat’s small group had already spun off two other groups. One took on the job of developing electronic jammers and warning receivers for the A-12 Project OXCART and the U-2s still flying, albeit over China rather than the Soviet Union.

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