CIA technology: the origins and innovations of DS&T

Published by admin at 6 September 2024

The geopolitical context behind DS&T

After the Second World War, the growing rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, particularly in terms of nuclear weapons, prompted the United States to seek more advanced methods of gathering information efficiently and discreetly. The testing of the first Soviet atomic bomb in 1949, followed by their hydrogen bomb in 1953, reinforced the urgency of developing technological means of surveillance.

The United States then launched several programmes to monitor Soviet military technological progress. Gathering information on the Soviet nuclear programme and strategic missile capabilities became an absolute priority for Washington. However, traditional intelligence methods, such as human espionage (HUMINT), proved insufficient to meet these new challenges.

The early years of the CIA, created in 1947, were marked by bureaucratic infighting and a fragmentation of scientific efforts. The need to centralise technological research became obvious in order to meet strategic and technological requirements. In 1954, the Killian Report, written by a group of experts led by James R. Killian of MIT, called for the creation of a dedicated scientific development unit within the CIA. This report laid the foundations for the creation of the Directorate of Science and Technology (DS&T) in 1963.

The importance of the first technological successes: U-2 and CORONA

The U-2, a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft developed by the CIA and the US Air Force in the 1950s, marked the beginning of the technological revolution in intelligence gathering. Designed to fly at altitudes in excess of 21,000 metres, this aircraft could photograph Soviet military installations without the risk of being shot down by air defences. The success of the U-2 on reconnaissance missions, notably during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, reinforced the belief that technology would play a central role in the fight against the Soviet Union.

However, the limits of the U-2 became apparent when the Soviets succeeded in shooting down an aircraft in 1960, prompting the CIA to turn to more sophisticated and less vulnerable surveillance systems. The development of the CORONA programme is a direct consequence of this evolution. The CORONA, the first reconnaissance satellite in history, launched in 1960, overcame the weaknesses of the U-2 by collecting high-quality satellite images of Soviet installations, thus providing crucial strategic information.

The CORONA programme marked a decisive step forward in intelligence-gathering technology, enabling continuous surveillance at a time when the space race was in full swing. Thanks to this innovation, the CIA was able to observe thousands of kilometres of enemy territory and identify key military infrastructures. This project underlined the growing importance of space technology in intelligence and paved the way for other space-based reconnaissance systems.

Official creation of DS&T in 1963

Faced with the success of the U-2 and CORONA programmes, the CIA Director at the time, John McCone, felt it was necessary to create a department dedicated to technological innovation. This is how the Directorate of Science and Technology (DS&T) came into being in 1963 under the direction of Herbert ‘Peter’ Scoville, an experienced scientist who had worked on the American atomic bomb project at Los Alamos.

The main aim of DS&T was to centralise the CIA’s technological efforts, with the emphasis on developing advanced intelligence-gathering systems. This structure enabled better coordination between engineers, scientists and analysts to create technologies that could revolutionise the way the United States monitored its adversaries.

DS&T quickly developed partnerships with private sector companies, such as Polaroid and research institutes like MIT, to create innovative technologies in areas as diverse as aerial photography, signal analysis and nuclear weapons detection. These collaborations have enabled DS&T to benefit from innovations in the civilian sector while adapting them to military and intelligence needs.

One of the challenges faced by DS&T in its early years was to overcome the reluctance of other CIA departments, which feared losing their influence to this new directorate. However, the growing pressure exerted by the Soviet threat contributed to the acceptance of DS&T’s essential role in strengthening national security.

The role of major scientific figures in the development of DS&T

One of the main architects of DS&T’s success was Albert ‘Bud’ Wheelon, a physicist with a degree from MIT, who became the first director of this new structure in 1963. At just 34 years of age, Wheelon quickly demonstrated his ability to lead a multidisciplinary team while navigating the bureaucratic maze of the federal government. Under his leadership, DS&T made major advances, particularly in the field of aerial reconnaissance.

Among the notable projects of the time was the A-12 ‘Oxcart ’ aircraft, developed in secret as part of the OXCART project. Designed as the successor to the U-2, the A-12 could fly at speeds in excess of 3,500 km/h** and at altitudes of 27,000 metres**, making it virtually impossible for Soviet defences to intercept. This aircraft was one of DS&T’s greatest technological achievements and remains to this day an example of the importance of technology in intelligence gathering.

Wheelon also oversaw the deployment of the U-2 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, a key moment in US intelligence history. Photographs taken by the U-2 confirmed the presence of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, giving President John F. Kennedy the evidence he needed to justify intervention.

Although Wheelon only held the post until 1966, his impact on the CIA was significant. He created a culture of innovation within DS&T that lasted well beyond his tenure, inspiring future generations of scientists and engineers to push the boundaries of technology in the service of intelligence.

Major DS&T projects: from CORONA to AZORIAN

One of DS&T’s most ambitious projects was the AZORIAN project, launched in the 1970s under the leadership of Carl Duckett, who succeeded Wheelon as head of DS&T. This project aimed to recover a Soviet submarine sunk in the Pacific in 1968, an unprecedented feat of engineering.

The Soviet submarine, carrying nuclear ballistic missiles, sank to a depth of more than 4,900 metres. To recover the submarine, the CIA used the Hughes Glomar Explorer, a ship specially designed for the mission. This project enabled the United States to obtain crucial information about Soviet nuclear capabilities, although it was not possible to recover the submarine completely.

The AZORIAN project is often cited as an example of DS&T’s boldness and creativity. It illustrates the CIA’s ability to mobilise considerable technological and human resources to achieve intelligence objectives of strategic importance.

Beyond the importance of the data collected, this project also demonstrated the impact that cutting-edge technology can have on the Cold War. By combining technical ingenuity with significant financial resources, DS&T was able to carry out complex operations that strengthened the strategic position of the United States against the Soviet Union.

Consequences and future of DS&T

Since the end of the Cold War, DS&T has evolved to deal with new threats, such as terrorism and cyber attacks. While many of DS&T’s current projects remain classified, its role in intelligence gathering is more crucial than ever. The rise of drug states and transnational terrorist groups requires technologies that can provide real-time information, often in environments that are difficult to access.

Innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence, drones and continuous observation satellites show that DS&T is ready to meet these new challenges. Recent advances in quantum cryptography and cyber threat detection also point to a future in which technology will play an increasingly important role in global security.

DS&T embodies the fusion of science and intelligence, creating technical solutions to national security problems. Thanks to figures such as Bud Wheelon and Carl Duckett, and innovative projects such as CORONA and AZORIAN, the Directorate of Science and Technology has established itself as a key player in innovation for national security.