Approved For Release at- IAC First Revision Final 5 March 1957 Priority National Scientific and Technical Intelligence Ob ctives 1 Pursuant to National Security Council Intelligence Directive No 4 paragraph 2 Director of Central Intelligence Directive No 4 6 DCID 4 6 established a list of priority national intelligence ob jectives as a guide for the coordination of intelligence collection and production in response to requirements relating to the formulation and execution of national security policy 2 The Scientific Estimates Committee the Joint Atomic Energy Intelligence Committee and the Guided Missile Intelligence Committee-neach in its own sphere of responsibility and with the concurrence of the Intelligence Advisory Committee-mhave derived the following scientific and technical intelligence objectives from 4 6 The statement of these objectives will be revised when required by revision of DCID 4 6 I 3 By definition all items in this listing are deemed to be critical national scientific and technical intelligence factors requiring priority attention and effort Distinction is made however between three levels of priority within the general priority category Order Approved For Release First Revision 5 March 1957 Approved For emit of listing within these three groups has no significance with respect to the relative priority of specific items within the group 1 Fit-st Priority I b jectives c A The capabilities of the USSR to conduct research on and develop weapons and other components of weapons systems requisite for nuclear attack on the United States or key US overseas installa- tions DCID 4 6 para Particular emphasis will be placed on the scientific and technological aspects of Soviet work on 1 Nuclear weapons nuclear warheads and special nuclear materials 2 Non-nuclear components of nuclear weapons and warheads 3 Bomber aircraft including nuclear propulsion therefor 4 Guided missiles including intercontinental ballistic long-range nonwballisticfcruise type air-to-surface submarine launched surface-to surface types and nuclear power for long-range guided missiles First Priority Intelligence Objectives are those which will permit the US 1 to anticipate and counter those policies or actions of foreign states which would occasion gravest consequences to the and to stimulate policies or actions of foreign state-Mo actions within them which could occasion greatest benefit to the US 336113 M6 para 3 Approved For Release 59% 56 1 Approved For Release First Revision 5 March 1957 Submarines includihg nuclear propulsion therefor capable of delivering nuclear weapons Electronic systems including blind-bombing long- range navigation defensive fire control of nuclear delivery vehicles and electronics including com- munications countermeasures systems B The capabilities of the USSR to conduct research on and develop weapons and other components of weapons systems requisite for defense against air including missiles attack DCID 4 6 para 1 Particular emphasis will be placed on the determination of scientific research and development on 1 Z 3 Nuclear warheads for anti-aircraft missiles rockets and artillery Piloted defense aircraft Both surface-tonair and sirwtouair guided missiles Defense against intercontinental ballistic missiles Anti-aircraft rockets and artillery ii Letitia Approved For Release Approved For Release i First Revision 5 March 195 6 Electronic systems including early warning ground control intercept airborne intercept IFF and missile guidance radars air defense filter centers and communications networks and electronics including cotnmunications countermeasure systems 7 Peasive defensive measui es C Soviet capabilities plans and intentions for the clandestine delivery of nuclear biological or chemical weapons against the US or key US overseas installations DCID 4 6 pare 1gp Particular reference is made to detection of specific scientific and technological accomplishments such as the development of specialized weapons and the solution of the peculiar problems in packaging transporting and storing that will make such delivery feasible 11 Second Priority Objectivesae A Sino Soviet Bloc scientific and technical and weaknesses substantially affecting their military economic and Second Priority Intelligence Objectives are those which will permit the US to anticipate and counter those policies or actions of foreign states which would have serious consequences for the and 2 to stimulate policies or actions of foreign states or actions within them which could occasion great benefit to the US DCID 4 6 para 3 Approved For Approved For First Revision 5 March 1957 political capabilities including the possibility of major technological breakthroughs DCID 4 6p para 11 3 and is The priority assigned to these and weaknesses applies in the first instance to the detection of scientific and technological developments which could give the Siam-Soviet Bloc a technological advantage When such developments are detected the priority of the subsequent intelligence effort will be determined by the extent to which the development af- fects US national security In addition second priority coverage will be given to the scientific and technological which are basic elements in Soviet economic and military capabilities and to those technological weaknesses which may reflect grave Soviet vulu ner'abilitieso Therefore partieular emphasis will be placed on 1 Esearch and development which are most likely to lead to significant technological advances a Basic scientific research undertaken without specific focus on any particular application for examples research in solid state physics cosmic rays radio astronomy low temperature physio-s upper-atmosphere enzymology and catalysis 5 i Approved For Release Approved For Release -RDP61-00549R000100100011-2 5 First Revision 5 March 1957 b Development of new applications of existing scientific knowledge for example earth satellites weather control long-range trans- mission of useful or deetructive energy means of influencing human behavior and advanced communications systems lechnOIOgical developments which can affect eig- nii icantly the economic potent t of the Sino Soviet Bloc For example automation methods of increasing food supply and solar and nuclear power Technological developments which can affect gignificantly the military potential of the Sine- Soviet Bloc For example biological and chemical warfare armored vehicles naval vessels etc Theorganieation control and status of science The-quality and quantity of Soviet scientific and technical manpo we sw Approved For Approved For Release Cg Li I I First Revision 5 March 1957 6 Fieids in which technological weaknesses rnay reflect grave Sine-Soviet Bloc vulnerabilities Fer example biological and agricultural sciences related to improved food supply automatic data processing system for air defense and inter- continental ballistic missile defense 13 Scientific and technological developments in Japan which would have a material bearing on its stability and orientation DCID 4 6 para 113 111 Third Priority Objectives In addition to the priority objectives outlines in paras I and 11 above it is recognized that scientific and technological developments may occur outside those areas discussed which will have such sigw nificance as to affect US security For that reason certain third priority objectives 1336113 4 6 para are stated below Third Priority Intelligence Objectives are those which will permit the US to anticipate and counter those policies or actions of foreign states which would have harmful consequences to the and 2 to stimulate policies or actions of foreign states or actions within them which could occasiozi substantial benefits to the US 13cm 4 6 para 3 -7- Approved For -00549R000100100011-2 Approved For Release a First Revision 5 March 1957 A Non SinonSoviet Bloc nuclear energy research and development the production of fissionabie materials and the use of such materials for weapons or other purposes B Significant scientific and technological developments in Western Europe which affect directly the military and economic potential Approved For                     National Security Archive    Suite 701  Gelman Library  The George Washington University    2130 H Street  NW  Washington  D C  20037    Phone  202 994‐7000  Fax  202 994‐7005  nsarchiv@gwu edu