The Central Intelligence Agency and Overhead Reconnaissance; The U-2 and OXCART Programs, 1954-1974

Text

This text came with the file. It may have mistakes. When the text and the image disagree, the image is right.

6
Secret i'JOF'OfUd
Chapter 1
division in Baltimore, headed by Lt. Col. Joseph J. Pellegrini. had to
approve all new reconnaissance aircraft designs. Pellegrini·s unit
reviewed Leghorn's design and ordered extensive modifications.
According to Leghorn, Pellegrini was not interested in a special-pur­
pose aircraft that was only suitable for covert peacetime reconnais­
sance missions, for he believed that all Air Force reconnaissance
aircraft should be capable of operating under wartime conditions.
Pellegrini therefore insisted that Leghorn ·s design meet the specifica­
tions for combat aircraft, which required heavily stressed airframes,
armor plate. and other apparatus that made an aircraft too heavy to
reach the higher altitudes necessary for safe overflights of the Soviet
Bloc. The final result of Leghorn's concept after its alteration by
Pellegrini ·s staff was the RB-57D in I 955, whose maximum altitude
RAF Canberra Mark-PR3
Seeret