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

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24
Sec, et NOFOAP~
Chapter 1
Allen F. Donovan
Baker also chaired the next meeting of the Air Force's
Intelligence Systems Panel in late April 1954 but could not tell its
members about the British overflight of Kap~stin Yar because they
were not cleared for this information. The panel did. however. discuss
the modifications for high-alti tude flight being made to the US
Canberra, the B-57."
The Intelligence Systems Panel and the CL-282
The next Intelligence Systems Panel meeting took place on 24 and 25
May at Boston University and the Polaroid Corporation. Panel mem­
ber Allen F. Donovan from the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory eval­
uated the changes bei ng made to the B-57 by the Martin Aircraft
Company. Even wichout Martin's specifications or drawings,
Donovan had been able to estimate what could be done to the 8-57 by
lengthening the wings and lightening the fuselage. He had determined
that alterations to the B-57 airframe would not sol ve the reconnais­
sance needs ex.pressed in the BEACON HILL Report. Theoretically,
he explained to the panel. any multiengine aircraft built accordiing to
military specifications. including the B-57. would be too heavy to fly
above 65,000 feet and hence would be vulnerable to Soviet intercep­
tion. To be safe, Donovan explained, penetrating aircraft would need
10 fly above 70,000 feet for the entire mission.':
Development of such an aircraft was already under way.
Donovan continued. for Philip Strong of the CIA had told him that the
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation had designed a lightweight, high-fly­
ing aircraft. ISP chairman Baker then urged Donovan to travel t9
southern California to evaluate the Lockheed design and gather ideas
on high-altitude aircraft from other aircraft manufacturers.
When he was finally able to make this trip in late summer,
Donovan found the plane that he and the other ISP members had. been
seeking. On the afternoon of 2 August 1954. Donovan met wiith L.
Eugene Root. an old Air Force acquaintance who was n,ow a
Lockheed vice-president. and learned about the Air Force's competi­
tion for a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. Kelly Johnson then
showed Donovan the plans for Lockheed's unsuccessful entry. A life­
long sailplane enthusiast. Donovan immediately recognized that the
.,: Donovan interview (S); Baker interview (S).
Geeret