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

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Chapter 6
In-flight refueling of the OXCART
projects belonged to the Office of Special Activities, headed by
Col. Jack C. Ledford, who now had the title of Assistant Director for
Special Activities. These project management changes in the ClA
had no immediate impact on the OXCART project because the air­
craft was still in the development stage, handled mainly by the con­
tractors. Moreover, a good deal of continuity was provided by
officers who had served for a numbe:r of years with the U-2 program
and were now involved with OXCART: James Cunningham, the
Deputy Assistant Director for Special Activities: Col. Leo Geary, the
Air Force's project officer for the two aircraft; and John Parangosky,
who oversaw the day-to-day affairs ,of the OXCART project.
OXCART'S FIRST FLIGHTS
With new sealant in its fuel tanks, the prototype OXCART was ready
to take to the air. On 25 April 1962, test pilot Louis Schalk took "ar­
ticle 121" for an unofficial, unannounced tlight. which was an old
Lockheed tradition. He flew the cratft less than two miles at an alti­
tude of about 20 feet and encountered considerable problems
because of the improper hookup c,f several controls. These were
promptly repaired and on the next day, 26 April, Schalk made the
official 40-minute maiden flight. After a beautiful takeoff, the air­
craft began shedding the triangular fillets that covered the frame­
work of the chines along the edge: of the aircraft body. The lost
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