Just Cause - 1986 09 - No 09 - New Series

Magazine Overview

Title: JUST CAUSE
Issue: 9
Volume: NEW SERIES
Date: September 1986
Publisher: Lawrence Fawcett
Editor: Barry Greenwood
Address: P.O. Box 218, Coventry, Conn. 06238
Subscription: 4 issues for $10 ($15 foreign)

UFOS AND STEALTH: A LINK?

This article investigates the possibility that early UFO incidents, particularly those involving crashed discs, may have directly inspired the development of modern stealth technology. The author posits that if even some of the crashed disc stories are true, then human technological history might have been altered in the 1950s.

Military Interest in Early UFO Characteristics

The article references Air Intelligence Division Study No. 203, dated December 10, 1948, which outlined key characteristics of UFOs observed in the early modern UFO era. These included:

• Shape: Thin discs, round on top and flat on the bottom.
• Performance: High rate of climb and the ability to remain motionless for extended periods.
• Size: Ranging from a quarter to 250 feet.
• Speed: From motionless to supersonic.

These capabilities were far beyond contemporary aircraft. The fact that these objects were often detected on radar suggested a solid, metallic structure. However, the author notes that a significant, yet often ignored, aspect was reports of objects seen visually at close range but not detectable by radar. This radar invisibility was a crucial point of interest for the military.

Case Studies of Radar Invisibility

While radar detection is often seen as proof of a UFO's reality, the article highlights cases where objects were seen visually but not by radar. An example is the Adickes case on April 27, 1950, where a TWA DC-3 crew and passengers observed a disc-shaped object over Goshen, Indiana, which Air Traffic Control had no record of being in the area. Another contemporary example is the 1978 Valentich case over the Bass Strait in Australia, where pilot Fred Valentich reported a UFO near his aircraft before vanishing; radar could not detect the object.

The 'Constraints' Report and Technological Inspiration

The article credits researcher Robert Todd with uncovering a potential link through documents obtained from the Air Force Intelligence's Special Study Group (SSG), later known as the SAG. A key document is an undated report titled "Constraints." This report, likely from the 1948-1953 period, explored possibilities for avoiding radar detection. It concluded that the most effective way to confuse radar would be a vehicle shaped like a "flying saucer or a flying sphere." The report also noted that radar-absorbing materials could not be used in conventional aircraft without sacrificing aerodynamic qualities.

This finding is presented as a direct connection between the concept of a UFO and the development of stealth technology in modern aircraft.

The AVRO Project and Air Force Interest

The article then discusses the AVRO project, specifically the AVRO car, a flying saucer-shaped aircraft. In 1953, Air Force Intelligence showed a renewed interest in this Canadian project. Initially, the Air Technical Intelligence Center reported no information on "flying saucer" development in Canada. However, a memo from Major General John Samford, A.F. Director of Intelligence, to Colonel G.L. Wertenbaker in December 1953, indicated a strong interest in the Canadian "Flying Saucer" program, seeking an analysis of its potential and the time factor for foreign development.

The author suggests this sudden interest stemmed from the "Constraints" report, which identified the radar-proof, disc-shaped design as a potential breakthrough. While the AVRO car, with its air cushion principle, could not replicate the extreme flight capabilities of reported UFOs (like instant right-angle turns or supersonic speeds), it was designed to demonstrate some degree of radar-proofing. A 1963 NASA Technical Note is cited, indicating that such a vehicle would require an automatic stabilization system to be flyable.

Despite its ultimate discontinuation, the AVRO car is presented as a significant early attempt at creating a radar-proof vehicle, potentially serving as a precursor to the F-19 Stealth fighter.

Further Evidence and Government Candor

Two other SSG studies from the 1950-56 period are mentioned as potentially supporting the article's thesis: "1952 Flying Saucers" and "1954 Canadian 'Flying Disc' Aircraft." The author notes that these studies are not publicly available and their concealment suggests a lack of government candor on the subject.

The article concludes by suggesting that technological advances may stem not only from crashed-disc materials but also from the careful study of UFO behavior and data. The slim releases of Air Force Intelligence documents offer a more acceptable alternative explanation for technological inspiration until a definitive case like "Roswell" is proven.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of UFO phenomena, government secrecy, and the potential influence of unexplained aerial phenomena on technological development. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking to connect seemingly disparate events and official documents to uncover a hidden narrative about UFOs and their impact on military and technological advancements. The publication advocates for greater transparency from the government regarding UFO research.