The CIA and Overhead Reconnaissance; The U-2 and OXCART Programs, 1954-1974
According to the releasing source, 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. It details their development, operations over the Soviet Union and other worldwide targets, the 1960 downing of Francis Gary Powers, organizational reforms following that incident, and the eventual transfer of operations from CIA to Air Force control. The page notes a more redacted version has been available on CIA's public website. The file itself is the report cover image; no extractable text was available beyond the source page context, which associates the document with a Department of War UAP data release.
Description
A CIA History Staff report documenting the U-2 and OXCART (A-12) high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft programs from 1954 to 1974, released as part of a U.S. Department of War UAP records disclosure. This archive item is the cover image of the report.
Claims
The document chronicles the complete history of the U-2 and OXCART (A-12) high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft programs from 1954 to 1974.
85%Francis Gary Powers' U-2 was famously downed in 1960, prompting organizational reforms.
85%Operations were eventually transferred from CIA to Air Force control.
80%A more redacted version of this document has been available on CIA's public website.
80%
Events
Dec 31, 1959
Downing of Francis Gary Powers
U-2 reconnaissance aircraft piloted by Francis Gary Powers shot down over the Soviet Union.
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U-2 and OXCART programs
Development and operation of high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft programs.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Related files
Connected through the network
SF-2026-000133
1953 ATIC Project Status on UFOBs
SF-2026-000164