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

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280
Secret NOF8RN
Chapter 6
OXCART pilot suit
(B-120) characterized by great strength. relatively light weight. and
good resistance to high temperatures. bur high in cost As strong as
stainless steel, titanium weighed slightly more than half as much.
Obtaining sufficient quantities of titanium of a quality suitable for
fabricating aircraft components proved very difficult because me1thods
for maintaining good quality control during the milling of titanium
were not fully developed. Up to 80 percent of the early deliveries
from Titanium Metals Corporation had to be rejected. It was not until
1961 . when company officials were informed of the objectives and
high priority of the OXCART program, that problems with the tita­
nium supply ended. Even after sufficient high-quality titanium was
received, Lockheed·s difficulties with the metal were not over.
Titanium was so hard that tools normally used in aircraft fabrication
broke; new ones therefore had to be devised. Assembly line produc­
tion was not possible, and the cost of the program mounted well
above original estimates.!~
The high temperatures that the OXCART would encounter also
necessitated planning for the pilot's safety and comfort becaus,e the
inside of the aircraft would be like a moderately hot oven. To save
"Minnich. ··OXCART Story:· p. 5 (S): OSA Hiswn-. chap. :!O. p. 3J (TS Co<l.:wu,rd).