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

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298
Sect et NOP'ORN
Chapter 6
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A-12s at Area 51
Defense McNamara told DCI McCone that he doubted that the
OXCART would ever be used and suggested that improvements in
satellite reconnaissance would very likely eliminate the need for the
expensive OXCART program. Strongly disagreeing, McCone told
McNamara that he had every intention of using OXCART aircraft to
fly over the Soviet Union.
McCone raised this issue with President Kennedy in April 1963.
at a time when the nation's photosatellites were experiencing a great
number of failures and the intelligence community was clamoring for
better photography to confirm or disprove allegations of the existence
of an antiballistic missile system at Leningrad. Unconvinced by
McCone·s arguments for OXCART overflights. President Kennedy
expressed the hope that some mean:, might be devised for improving
satellite imagery instead.
50
'" John A. McCone. i\,kmorandum fur the Rccord. " Summary of meeting wi1h Secre1ary
McNamara and Secretary Gilpa1ric. Gencr.11 Career and Mr. McCone on 5 July 1962.''
6 July 1962. DCI records (S): McCone. Memorandum for the File. "Meeting wi1h 1he
President-5:30-1 5 Apr 1963 in Palm Beach. Florida:· DCI records (SJ.