CIA-UAP-003, The Central Intelligence Agency and Overhead Reconnaissance; The U-2 and OXCART Programs, 1954-1974

This is a Secret History Staff monograph by Gregory W. Pedlow and Donald E. Welzenbach of the Central Intelligence Agency, published in 1992. It gives a history of the CIA's manned overhead reconnaissance program from 1954 to 1974, covering the development and operation of the U-2 and the A-12 OXCART aircraft. It covers overflights of the Soviet Union, the 1960 downing of Francis Gary Powers, and later operations. One section is titled "U-2s, UFOs, and Operation BLUE BOOK."

From the source:Release of 2026-06-12 This CIA History Staff document chronicles the complete history of the U-2 and OXCART (A-12) high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft programs from 1954 to 1974, detailing their development, operations over the Soviet Union and other targets worldwide, the famous downing of Francis Gary Powers in 1960, organizational reforms following that incident, and the eventual transfer of operations from CIA to Air Force control. A more redacted version of this document has been available on CIA's public website.

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Chapter 6
invention of synthetic lubricants. Lockheed also had to search long OXCART production facilities
and hard for a hydraulic fluid that would not vaporize at high speed
but would still be usable at low altitudes. Finding a suitable hydrau lic
pump was just as difficult. Kelly Johnson finally modified a pump
that was being developed for North American's B-70 bomber
. : 1
proJect.
Some of the greatest problems related to the high speeds and
high temperatures at which the OXCART operated resulted from
working with the material chosen for the airframe-titanium. After
evaluating many materials. Johnson had chosen an alloy of titanium
:, Johnson. --Devdopm.:nt ot Lockh.:.:<l SR-7 1." pp. I 1- I 2.