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

Key highlights

• The U-2 program began in 1954 under President Eisenhower's authorization.p.11

  “The Agency's manned overhead reconnaissance program lasted 20 years.”

• The document outlines the challenges faced by the CIA in conducting aerial reconnaissance.p.15

  “Tight security along the Soviet Bloc borders severely curtailed the movement of human intelligence sources.”

• The U-2's first flight over the USSR occurred in July 1956, marking a significant intelligence breakthrough.p.9

  “The U-2 was an enormous technological success: its first flight over the USSR in July 1956.”