Origins and Context
Project RHEINBERRY originated in 1965 as a CIA Office of Special Activities initiative to develop an advanced reconnaissance aircraft.1 The program emerged after determining General Dynamics' Project ISINGLASS Mach 5-6 concept remained vulnerable to Soviet air defenses.2
Program Structure
McDonnell Aircraft led development, leveraging experience from ASSET, MERCURY, GEMINI, and M122 programs.3 The design incorporated advanced thermal protection systems and high-temperature metals tested in previous aerospace projects.4
Technical Capabilities
The proposed aircraft featured revolutionary performance specifications:
- Mach 20 maximum velocity
- 200,000 feet operational altitude
- 6,700 nautical mile reconnaissance range
- 40-50 nautical mile imaging swath
- One-foot ground resolution
- B-52 air-launch capability
Development Status
McDonnell Aircraft conducted preliminary design work through 1965-1966. The program required a Pratt & Whitney advanced rocket engine using liquid hydrogen/oxygen propellants.5 Total mission duration was projected at 1 hour 15 minutes from launch to landing.6
Legacy
While never reaching production, RHEINBERRY advanced concepts for near-orbital reconnaissance platforms and influenced subsequent aerospace programs.7 The project demonstrated potential for rapid-response intelligence collection capabilities beyond existing satellite systems.8