Project GUSTO

  Origins and Context

Project GUSTO began in 1957 to evaluate designs for a U-2 successor capable of evading improving Soviet air defenses.¹ The CIA-led competition assessed proposals from Lockheed, Convair, and North American Aviation.²

  Program Structure

The program evaluated three main design concepts: Lockheed's A-12, Convair's FISH, and North American's KINGFISH.³ Each proposal underwent rigorous technical and operational analysis by a joint CIA-Air Force team.⁴

  Technical Capabilities

The competing designs all aimed to achieve sustained flight above Mach 3 at altitudes over 90,000 feet.⁵ Radar cross-section reduction became a key requirement, leading to early stealth technology development.⁶

  Legacy

Project GUSTO concluded in 1959 with the selection of Lockheed's A-12 design, which became the OXCART program.⁷ The competition advanced aerospace technology in areas like propulsion, materials, and radar signature reduction.⁸

  References

1. cia.gov ↩

2. lockheedmartin.com ↩

3. nro.gov ↩

4. afhra.af.mil ↩

5. airandspace.si.edu ↩

6. ntrs.nasa.gov ↩

7. cia.gov ↩

8. apps.dtic.mil ↩