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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secret NOFORN
Chapter 6
Delivery of OXCART aircraft to
Area 51
OXCART aircraft took to the air. He resigned from the Agency in
February 1962, and his departure brought a major reorganization of
the reconnaissance program. The Development Projects Division of
the Directorate of Plans. with its two aircraft (OXCART and U-2)
and its satellite project. were transferred to the new Directorate of
Research headed by Herbert (Pete) Scoville. The following year
Scoville resigned and this Directorate was reorganized and its name
changed to the Directorate of Science and Technology, with A lbert
(Bud) Wheelon. Jr. as its first head. The overhead reconnaissance
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