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

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TAB "A"

BRIEF ON AN UNCONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT POSSIBLE
BY 1960

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this briefing is two-fold. First, I will attempt to tell you of a project being financed by the U.S. Air Force and as a result thereof to dispel to the greatest extent possible any doubt in your minds that such a project is feasible and desirable. Second, I will attempt to show that there is a very good possibility that we may not be the first nation to successfully fly such an aircraft. In order not to take up your time with uninteresting technical considerations and information, I will make the first part very brief. However, if anyone desires more information on the design, performance, operation, etc., I am prepared to go into a more detailed discussion complete with slides at the end of the regular briefing.

The "State of the Art" being one of the most important considerations in a technical estimate, we have attempted to ascertain what effort is being made in this field. Through various sources it was determined that the foremost authority on the theories surrounding such an aircraft was a Mr. Jack Frost, an aeronautical engineer presently employed by the A.V. Roe Limited of Canada. Some indication of Mr. Frost's capability may be derived from the fact that he was project engineer on the CF-100 in Canada. The principal sources of information covered in this brief were ARDC, Baltimore; AFDRD, Washington; DAI, Ottawa; and A. V. Roe Limited of Canada. Before going any further, I wish to emphasize that the interest of the HQ, USAF D/I in this subject is solely from the foreign aspect and particularly as it concerns the Soviet capabilities. Any emphasis that we may give to the Research and Development program in this country is a bonus and not intentional.

The project of which I am about to speak is known as Project "Y2" in Canada and as Project "Ladybird" by the USAF. This vehicle is designated as a "Flat Vertical Take-Off Supersonic Gyroplane" by the A.V.Roe Company. In appearance it is similar to the normal conception most people have of a flying saucer. This is probably the best reason for not calling this vehicle a flying saucer. This unconventional aircraft is not strictly a new idea. This particular idea has been in existence for several years and during the last four years attempts have been made in Great Britain, Canada, and the U.S.A. to interest someone in financing the development of the gyroplane. In January of 1954 the Canadian government agreed to finance the project to the extent of $2,000,000. However, due to some belief that Canada might be somewhat limited in facilities and finances to complete the development in the least possible time, and the

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