CIA Project OXCART

<p>CIA Project OXCART Project Gusto produced the program code-named Oxcart to develop the stealthy A-12 Archangel as a new U-2 follow-on aircraft. Under CIA Project Oxcart the stealthy A-12 Archangel was flight-tested at Area 51 Nevada under a shroud of secrecy.<br>Flying at 95000 feet and 2221 mph or Mach 3.35 the A-12 was the fastest highest-flying jet-powered piloted aircraft ever faster than the Air Force's SR-71 who officially holds the speed record.<br>Selecting a place called Area 51 in Nevada and beneath a shroud of secrecy the Central Intelligence Agency first flew the U-2 the Angel knowing at the time that the Russians would most likely shoot it down within 18 months.<br>To replace the U-2 the CIA designed America's first stealth plane using the slide rule to produce what today remains the highest flying and fastest crewed air-breathing aircraft ever flown the A-12 Archangel.<br>The agency named it the Oxcart the first of a family of four Blackbird planes. Unknown for decades the A-12 flew 2850 sorties out of Area 51 some faster than a rifle bullet and up to 90000 feet. Now declassified Area 51 veteran TD Barnes can now tell the OXCART story.</p>