What did the declassified documents reveal?

Proposed U‑2R coverage of Chinese strategic missile targets, memorandum, February twenty‑four, nineteen‑seventy. This memorandum from the Central Intelligence Agency discusses two conceptual reconnaissance routes intended to photograph Chinese strategic missile installations. It is notable because it outlines how the United States planned to supplement satellite imagery with high‑altitude aircraft during a period of heightened tension over the Chinese missile program. The document was declassified by the Central Intelligence Agency on June thirteenth, two thousand five. It was released through the public archive known as The Black Vault, which hosts the full text of the memorandum under its standard declassification procedures. The memorandum reads as follows. “MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Special Activities SUBJECT: Proposed U‑2R Coverage of Chinese Strategic Missile Targets 1. This memorandum discusses two IDEALIST/TACKLE conceptual routes designed to provide photographic coverage of Chinese Communist strategic missile targets of high priority interest to the United States Intelligence Community. It is recommended that we forward these routes to the 303 Committee for approval should the Warsaw talks break down or should other unforeseen actions make submission appropriate. 2. For the past several years the development by the Chinese Communist Party of a strategic missile capability has been of great concern to the United States Intelligence Community and has enjoyed a relatively high collection priority. The data which is available is based primarily on CORONA satellite photography which, due to technical and environmental factors, is less than adequate for a firm understanding of the Chinese program. 3. Although it is technically feasible to alter the “normal” CORONA profiles to provide increased coverage, we believe that the U‑2R reconnaissance system can make a significant contribution to the assessment of the Chinese strategic missile program. The U‑2R would also have several distinct advantages over satellite photography: a. It can be programmed to fly when weather conditions are optimum. b. The U‑2R can be programmed to cover widely dispersed facilities such as those at the Shuang‑Cheng‑Tzu Missile Test Range, which are rarely observed in KEYHOLE photography. c. The U‑2R camera is technically capable of providing ground resolution of these areas with considerably greater coverage of unique target areas due to our capability to program the U‑2R. 4. The proposed conceptual routes are provided in Attachments A and B. Route A provides complete coverage of almost all of the known launch facilities, including Launch Complex B at the Shuang‑Cheng‑Tzu Missile Test Range together with the range‑head instrumentation facilities. In addition, the SAWRFs at Shuang‑Cheng‑Tzu and the Yumen Plutonium Production Plant are covered. Several airfields and military installations of COMIREX interest are also programmed. 5. Route B provides coverage of three…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

CIA Proposed U‑2r Coverage Of Chinese Strategic Missile Targets, Memorandum

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Proposed U‑2R coverage of Chinese strategic missile targets, memorandum, February twenty‑four, nineteen‑seventy. This memorandum from the Central Intelligence Agency discusses two conceptual reconnaissance routes intended to photograph Chinese strategic missile installations. It is notable because it outlines how the United States planned to supplement satellite imagery with high‑altitude aircraft during a period of heightened tension over the Chinese missile program.

Date: AUG 6 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was CIA Proposed U‑2r Coverage Of Chinese Strategic Missile Targets, Memorandum about?: Proposed U‑2R coverage of Chinese strategic missile targets, memorandum, February twenty‑four, nineteen‑seventy. This memorandum from the Central Intelligence Agency discusses two conceptual reconnaissance routes intended to photograph Chinese strategic missile installations. It is notable because it outlines how the United States planned to supplement satellite imagery with high‑altitude aircraft during a period of heightened tension over the Chinese missile program.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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CIA Proposed U‑2r Coverage Of Chinese Strategic Missile Targets, Memorandum

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