Memorandum to Belmont
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT REPORTED
ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1957; INTELLIGENCE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE - WATCH COMMITTEE
over the U.S. It is unlikely that a Soviet aircraft could conduct
a mission at this speed and altitude and return to Soviet territory.
The Soviets are given credit for the capability of a 'submarine
launched cruise-type missile of low supersonic performance' and a
range of about 500 nautical miles; however, there is no evidence
of the existence of such a missile by the Soviets.
The Watch Committee also examined possible Soviet motives
for launching a one way missile on an operation over the U.S., and
it was concluded that there would be little motivation at this time
except possibly a psychological or retaliatory motive. The Watch
Committee ruled out one way reconnaissance operations on the likelihood
that the results would be of small value and the risk of compromise
would be very great. (This possible retaliatory motive by the Soviets
could be in response to U.S. flights to a U.S. "Project Aquatone"
flight over the USSR which was detected on September 9, 1956, by
Soviet planes and mentioned in my memorandum of September 19, 1957.)
ACTION:
The above is submitted for information. Since the Air
Defense Command is still investigating this report, further information
will be reported as a more conclusive evaluation can be made.
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