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

[ANDREW MILLER]

Was there a stated reason for the USAF to be interested in the RS6? It still doesn’t make sense that it would be a bail out radio unless they anticipated landing near some batteries or an intact power grid. 

Sent from my SCR 506

> On Mar 1, 2020, at 9:51 AM, Tim <timsamm at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 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
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