Sign-In
Cart
Aquiline: The CIA's Bird Drone Program
Hardcover
AviationInternational Relations
ISBN13: 9781934840931
Publisher: Nimble Books
Published: Nov 21 2023
Pages: 334
Weight: 2.33
Height: 0.75 Width: 8.50 Depth: 11.00
Language: English
In the late 1960s and early 1970s the CIA built unmanned drones disguised to resemble birds that were intended to fly missions over denied areas including in Cuba, the Barents Sea, China, and Vietnam. The Aquiline drones were based at Area 51. This collection of declassified memoranda gives a fascinating insiders' view of the program.
The document provides a comprehensive overview of the Aquiline project, which involves the development and operation of covert drone vehicles for intelligence collection purposes. It discusses various aspects of the project, including requirements, logistics, procurement procedures, security measures, personnel manning, operational procedures, budgeting, objectives, system development, payloads, operational costs, research and development studies, and program management. The document also mentions the involvement of different offices and departments within the CIA, as well as collaboration with external contractors. It emphasizes the need for secrecy and the use of advanced technologies for data analysis.
This annotated edition illustrates the capabilities of the AI Lab for Book-Lovers to add context and ease-of-use to manuscripts. It includes five types of abstracts, building from simplest to more complex: TLDR (one word), ELI5, TLDR (vanilla), Scientific Style, and Action Items; three essays to increase viewpoint diversity: Grounds for Dissent; Red Team Critique; and MAGA Perspective; and Nutshell Summaries for each page; and Notable Passages.
AQUILINE is a restrictive access involving a small powered glider capable of flying thousands of miles, emplacing devices, interrogating previously emplaced devices, and performing special reconnaissance or collection missions. It will present bird-like radar, acoustic and visual signatures designed to blend with the natural signal environment; Possessing a range in excess of 1000 miles, it will be capable in its advanced form of hovering-over-targets for as long as 120 days.
it is agreed that the program will be known (at Area 51) by the unclassified nickname Project M277. In this manner, the R50 prototype program name AQUILINE can be slowly phased out and the new operational program name AZAN5 established once the flight test phase is completed. ... Project AQUILINE will be known by the classified SECRET operational designator RECHARTER within OSA areas of responsibility... The objectives, state-of-art achievements, and mission purposes of Project RECHARTER will be controlled at the TOP SECRET level.
A major difficulty in the emplacement concept has been the need for the 'mother ship' to execute the penetration and drop at a high altitude in order to avoid detection and/or interception. Black box payloads designed for emplacement in this manner tended to be large and heavy -- a few hundred pounds not being unusual. Discussions by ORD with other offices within the Agency (OSA, OSP, FMSAC, OSI, OEL, and other potential users within the clandestine services) gave substance to the developing AQUILINE concept. It was agreed that low altitude drops of small, lightweight, low power solid state sensors would have a high probability of surviving the emplacement. Indeed, the same qualities could decrease the probability of detection of the black box once emplaced.
The initial AOC goal will be round-trip missions against coastal areas in Cuba, the Barents Sea, China, and Vietnam. Reconnaissance and ferret-type missions could provide low altitude imagery, ELINT and SIGINT. Feasibility of these objectives were studied in a simulated operational test against Tallinn.
Also from
Central Intelligence Agency
The Official CIA Interrogation & Manipulation Manual: The Cold War Kubark Files
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
The CIA and Dr. Zhivago: How America's Cold War Spies Played Book Publisher to Bring Hope to Millions
Central Intelligence Agency
Hardcover
The Soviet Bloc Role In International Terrorism And Revolutionary Violence
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
CIA Analysis of The Warsaw Pact Forces: The Importance of Clandestine Reporting
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
Warsaw Pact Forces Opposite NATO [Annotated]: National Intelligence Estimate
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
Graf Zeppelin Arctic Expedition 1931: CIA Report on Aeroarctic Scientific Mission: The Aeroarctic Expedition with Airship LZ 127 â " Franz Josef Land
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
The Missile Revolution: Soviet Naval Missile Systems and Nuclear Strike Capabilities
Rickover Ai
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
Psychological Warfare: Selected and Annotated Bibliography [Annotated]:
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
Arctic Supremacy: Northern Fleet Operations and Polar Warfare
Central Intelligence Agency
Rickover Ai
Paperback
Gorshkov's Revolution: Soviet Naval Transformation and the Missile/Nuclear Age
Rickover Ai
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
The Submarine Menace: Soviet Undersea Warfare Capabilities and SSBN Development
Rickover Ai
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
Gorshkov vs. The World: Global Naval Competition and Sea Control Doctrine
Rickover Ai
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
Surface Fleet Illusions: Soviet Carriers, Cruisers, and the Obsolescence of Conventional Warships
Rickover Ai
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
The Intelligence War: Soviet Naval Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Information Warfare
Central Intelligence Agency
Rickover Ai
Paperback
Naval Aviation - Expensive and Vulnerable: Soviet Naval Air Forces and Anti-Submarine Warfare
Rickover Ai
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
Technical Mastery: Soviet Naval Engineering, Propulsion, and Shipbuilding
Rickover Ai
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
Exercises, Readiness, and Reality: Soviet Naval Operations, Training, and Combat Effectiveness
Central Intelligence Agency
Rickover Ai
Paperback
Manuale di addestramento all'interrogatorio e allo sfruttamento delle fonti umane
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
Project ARGUS: Secret Nuclear Tests in Space: Seven Declassified Intelligence Documents with AI-Generated Scholarly Apparatus
Central Intelligence Agency
Paperback
Also in
Aviation
Shadow Before the Flame: The Hindenburg Disaster and the Prelude to War
Katz, Catherine Grace
Hardcover
Bird Men: The Rise of American Airpower and the Machine That Ended World War II
Baime, A. J.
Hardcover
Into Unknown Skies: An Unlikely Team, a Daring Race, and the First Flight Around the World
Randall, David K.
Paperback
Fbo Management: Operating, Marketing, and Managing as a Fixed-Base Operator
Prather, C. Daniel
Hardcover
Pocket Flyers Paper Airplane Book: 69 Mini Planes to Fold and Fly
Lammers, Jeff
Blackburn, Ken
Paperback
The Complete Book of Spacecraft: Rockets, Shuttles, Satellites, and Space Stations
Gorn, Michael H.
Sivolella, Davide
Hardcover
Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook--Powerplant (2026): Faa-H-8083-32b
U S Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Paperback
Far-Amt 2027: Federal Aviation Regulations for Aviation Maintenance Technicians
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/Aviation Supplies & Ac
Paperback
Cockpit Confidential: Everything You Need to Know about Air Travel: Questions, Answers, and Reflections
Smith, Patrick
Paperback
Airframe Mechanic Test Guide 2026: Study and Prepare for Your Aviation Mechanic FAA Knowledge Exam
ASA Test Prep Board
Paperback
Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook--General (2026): Faa-H-8083-30b
U S Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Paperback
Aircraft Inspection, Repair and Alterations (2026): Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices (AC 43.13-1b, AC 43.13-2b)
U S Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Paperback
His Majesty's Airship: The Life and Tragic Death of the World's Largest Flying Machine
Gwynne, S. C.
Paperback
The Women with Silver Wings: The Inspiring True Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II
Landdeck, Katherine Sharp
Paperback
General Mechanic Test Guide 2026: Study and Prepare for Your Aviation Mechanic FAA Knowledge Exam
ASA Test Prep Board
Paperback
Stone Age Astronaut: The Astonishing Adventures of America's Forgotten Flier
Callanan, Liam
Paperback
Glory Lost and Found: How Delta Climbed from Despair to Dominance in the Post-9/11 Era
Kaplan, Seth
Shabat, Jay
Paperback
Flying Creatures Paper Airplane Book: 69 Mini Planes to Fold and Fly
Lammers, Jeff
Blackburn, Ken
Paperback
The Alaska Bush Pilot Chronicles: More Adventures and Misadventures from the Big Empty
Mason, Mort D.
Paperback
Exploring Airline History with David H. Stringer, Volume Three, Subjects O-W: The Airways Magazine Articles
Stringer, David Hubert
Paperback
Modern Military Aircraft: Multi-Role Fighters * Interceptors * Bombers * Transports
Ward, Edward
Paperback
The Long Way Home - Revised Edition: A Journey Into History with Captain Robert Ford
Dover, Ed
Paperback
Let's Make a Race Of It!: The Story of Those Daring Women Who Flew The Powder Puff Derby, 1947-1977
Rickman, Sarah Byrn
Paperback
Instrument Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-15B (Color Print): IFR Pilot Flight Training Study Guide
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
U S Department of Transportation
Paperback
Black Pioneers in Aviation: A Multicultural History Book for Kids: Discover the Men and Women Who Broke Barriers in the Sky
Beautiful Voices
Paperback
Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook--Powerplant (Black & White): Faa-H-8083-32b
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
U S Department of Transportation
Paperback
Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters
Zaslow, Jeffrey
Sullenberger, Chesley B., III
Paperback
Exploring Airline History with David H. Stringer, Volume Two, Subjects D-N: The Airways Magazine Aarticles
Stringer, David H.
Paperback
Come Fly with Me: The Rise and Fall of Trans World Airlines
Rust, Daniel L.
Hoffman, Alan B.
Paperback
Essentials of Advanced Composite Fabrication and Repair
Dorworth, Louis C.
Gardiner, Ginger L.
Hardcover
Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook--Airframe (2026): Faa-H-8083-31b
U S Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Paperback
Secrets of the P-39 Aircobra Fighter Plane World War II: Royal Gifts of Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell of the Bell Aircraft Company
Long, Patricia E.
Paperback
Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook-Powerplant - Volume 2 (FAA-H-8083-32)
Administration, Federal Aviation
Transportation, U. S. Department of
Paperback
The Piasecki H-21 Helicopter: An Illustrated History of the H-21 Helicopter and Its Designer, Frank N. Piasecki
Brandt, Robert J.
Davies, William J.
Paperback
Fire Eaters: The People and Aircraft Combatting Wildfires Over the Last Century
Pigott, Peter
Paperback
The Crash of Delta Flight 723: The Worst Air Disaster in New England History
Houle, Paul D.
Paperback
Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook--Powerplant (Color): Faa-H-8083-32b
U S Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Paperback
Air Power: The Men, Machines, and Ideas That Revolutionized War, from Kitty Hawk to Iraq
Budiansky, Stephen
Paperback
Miracle on the Hudson: The Extraordinary Real-Life Story Behind Flight 1549, by the Survivors
Prochnau, William
Parker, Laura
The Survivors of Flight 1549
Paperback
Private Pilot Test Prep 2025-2026: The All-in-One Ground School and Test Prep for Student Pilots, Featuring Realistic Questions and Key Flight Maneuve
Mercer, Spencer Brooks
Paperback
Space Flyers Paper Airplane Book: 63 Mini Planes to Fold and Fly
Blackburn, Ken
Lammers, Jeff
Paperback
Nuts!: Southwest Airlines' Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success
Freiberg, Kevin
Freiberg, Jackie
Paperback
Military Aircrafts in the Sky: Air Combat from World War II Planes to Modern Fighter Jets That Changed History
Modern Daily Press
Paperback
Becoming A Pilot (Second Edition): What Every New Pilot Needs To Know To Navigate Flight School While Saving Time and Money
Kofford, James D.
Paperback
Judgment on Erebus: A Notorious Air Disaster on Antarctica's Mount Erebus Tests a Nation's Conscience
Sheehan, Joey
Hardcover
Birdmen: The Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, and the Battle to Control the Skies
Goldstone, Lawrence
Paperback
80 Years, a Tribute to the Pby Catalina: The Ultimate Color Photo Album of the Best Flying Boat Ever Made
Wiesman, Hans
Hardcover
Exploring Airline History with David H. Stringer, Volume One: The Airways Magazine Articles
Stringer, David H.
Paperback
The Pilot's Guide to Air Traffic Control: Who's Really in Control... Real Life ATC Stories
Watson, Andy
Hardcover
Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook-Powerplant - Volume 1 (FAA-H-8083-32)
Administration, Federal Aviation
Transportation, U. S. Department of
Paperback
Mavericks of the Sky: The First Daring Pilots of the U.S. Air Mail
Macaulay, Catherine
Rosenberg, Barry
Paperback
Boeing Versus Airbus: The Inside Story of the Greatest International Competition in Business
Newhouse, John
Paperback
Into Unknown Skies: An Unlikely Team, a Daring Race, and the First Flight Around the World
Randall, David K.
Hardcover
Disaster at 39,000 Feet: How Small-Town America Came Together at a Time of Crisis
McMurry, Enfys
Paperback
Being a Blue Angel: Every Kid's Guide to the Blue Angels, 2nd Edition
Sutherland, Amy C.
Sutherland, Mark I.
Paperback
McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions
Air Force, United States
Paperback
TM 9-230-289-20 CUCV Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle Unit Maintenance Manual January 1988
US Army
Paperback
Bound for the Backcountry II: A History of Airstrips in the Wallowas, Hells Canyon, and the Lower Salmon River
Holm, Richard H.
Paperback
Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C): Pilot Flight Training Study Guide (Color Print)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
U S Department of Transportation
Paperback