Joint U.S.-Canadian Aviation Projects and UFO Sighting Reports, 1954-1955

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given to brief the engineering personnel of the Los Angeles Air Force Development Office.

7. An "Air Force Only" restriction was dropped in June 1954 and the following have been briefed since: Chief of Naval Operations and Staff, Chief of Staff U.S. Army and Staff, Commandant of the Marine Corps and Staff, Key Personnel of CIA-OSI, Mr. Eiselstein of ATIC, Intelligence personnel of SAC, TAC, ADC, ARDC, AFSS, AFSSOP, NSA, and Requirements Officer of the Air War College. A copy of the briefing is attached as TAB A.

8. On 15 June 1954, Bollum and Wainwright visited the A.V. Roe Limited, Toronto, Canada. One day was spent discussing Project "Y" and information of German and/or Soviet interest in such unconventional aircraft. Mr. Frost, the Chief Engineer on the project and designer of the radial flow jet engine, demonstrated by use of laboratory models all the principles of the Coanda Effect, the air bearings, and the control system contemplated. Such demonstrations left little doubt in the minds of anyone present that the project would be a success. Mr. Frost had previously gone to Europe to interrogate George Klein and in addition had access to many flying saucer reports from Europe. He firmly stated that there was no doubt in his mind that the Soviets are ahead of the Western Nations in the development of a true vertical take-off aircraft.

9. Recent news articles indicate that both the U.S. and U.K. have other projects in being which are in the field of Vertical Take-Off Aircraft (VTO).

CONCLUSIONS:

10. In conclusion, it appears that the chances of success are good for Project "Y" or Project "Ladybird" as it is known in the USAF. If this is the case a breakthrough in the aeronautical "State of the Art" has occurred which will revolutionize aircraft design and air warfare. If we accept the possibilities of such designs then we must also conclude that the Soviets must at the least have the capability to have such aircraft almost as soon as the Western Nations. At the other end of the possibilities, we must consider the chance that the Soviets are several years ahead of the U.S. at this time. Perhaps one of the most important results of this investigation has been that such unconventional aircraft are not considered as fantastic as previous, and the emphasis will shift from disproving flying saucer reports to proving such reports. The effect of a successful flight will be far reaching. A new look will have to be taken at the design of many categories of military equipment; i.e. radars, guided missiles, armament, antiaircraft artillery, etc. It is possible that such capabilities could very radically change estimates for the period of 1960-65.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

11. In the last part of the briefing (Tab A) certain recommendations have been made. It was felt at the time that the various offices of the Directorate of Intelligence would take some action as a result of the briefing. As of this date Mr. Bollum is unaware of any action being taken by any other office to

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