CIA and the Condon UFO Project

Summary

In 1967, the CIA hosted a visit from Dr. Edward Condon's team, who were leading a study on UFO sightings funded by a $300,000 contract with the University of Colorado, supported by the U.S. Air Force. During the meeting, clear boundaries were set: the CIA would not be mentioned in reports or directly involved in the analysis. The team was shown photogrammetric techniques and specialized equipment, such as the isodensitometer, to aid in the investigation.

The goal was for Condon's team to understand the technical capabilities of the NPIC, with the CIA maintaining a strictly non-public role. Emphasis was placed on the need for precise data, like camera focal lengths, to ensure meaningful analysis. The meeting included equipment demonstrations and technical discussions, all under an unclassified framework.