[MRCG] Origins of the RS-6 and subsequent USAF usage

[Scott Johnson]

A story that was related to me by an acquaintance that knew Gen Curtis Lemay (K0GRL) in his later years said that Lemay was always on the lookout for gear that would suit his newly minted Strategic Air Command.  He was apparently briefed on almost everything, especially communications, and found the RS-6 to be just the thing for stranded aircrews that had to bail out over who know where, and establish communications with rescue forces.  He was, incidentally, after having seen a demonstration, the driving force behind the Adoption of Eugene Stoner's AR-15 (M-16), (to arm his newly created security police forces).

Scott V. Johnson W7SVJ
5111 E. Sharon Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254-3636
H (602) 953-5779
C (480) 550-2358
scottjohnson1 at cox.net
scott.johnson at ieee.org

-----Original Message-----
From: mrcg-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrcg-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Tim
Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2020 10:51 AM
To: MMRCG at groups.io; Military Surplus Mail List (milsurplus at mailman.qth.net) <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>; armyradios at groups.io; West Coast Military Radio Collectors Group <MRCG at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [MRCG] Origins of the RS-6 and subsequent USAF usage

Hi guys - I had heard the story that the RS-6 set was originally designed as an aircrew survival item, but later adopted by the CIA for agent use.
(They certainly were carried in go-bags on some USAF aircraft later on).
Those origins didn't make much sense to me so I researched the CIA Freedom of Information Act reading room site.
https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/home
(I summarized the findings on my website post regarding the RS-6.)

Interesting stuff had been released on the RS-6.  Notably:
CIA-RDP79-01578A000100110011-6.pdf
<https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP79-01578A000100110011-6.pdf>

It states " [REDACTED] reviewed the history of the RS-6 and the requirement for which it was designed and procured; circa 1949-1951. The set was designed as a manual keying, low cost replacement for the WWII SSTR-1.  At the time Agency plans called for large scale stay behind activities and strategic reserve/war planning programs...." etc.

When North Korea attacked South Korea on 25 June 1950 the CIA had 1225 RS-6 sets in inventory.  CIA-RDP84-00499R000700140016-8.pdf
<https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP84-00499R000700140016-8.pdf>

As to USAF usage, see:  CIA-RDP78-03424A002400020033-9.pdf
<https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78-03424A002400020033-9.pdf>

The last page states: "JUNE 1952 - About this time, the Air Force became interested in the RS-6 and asked the Agency to procure 1500 units for their use. In order to fulfill this requirement 100 RS-6X's currently in stock were shipped to the Air Force leaving 1400 units to be supplied from future production."

So I think the CIA has it the other way around; the set was designed for the CIA but later adopted by the USAF.  These documents were declassified and released by the CIA around 2010-2011 and I think they clear up the question about the origins of the RS-6. (there are a lot of other interesting documents on the site regarding the RS-6 and the other CIA sets like the RS-1 etc.)  Interesting reading!  Anyway, FYI.

Tim
N6CC