A PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING HIGH-RESOLUTION OBLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY OVER DENIED AREAS

Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 A PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING HIGH�RESOLUTION OBLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY - OVER DENIED AREAS Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 ABSTRACT The Office of Research and Development with support from the Office of Technical Service and the National Photographic Interpretation Center has demonstrated the ability of homing pigeons to carry a small 16mm camera.capable of obtaining high-resolution photography from over-flights. Furthermore, homing-pigeons have-successfully been taught_to relocate to a new home. It is,,therefore, feasible to-relocate'homing pigeons for subsequent use, to obtain_timely-photography of denied-areas� The effort described here provides a program for the selection of birds, performance documentation, user training and involvement, and the demonstration of a simulated mission in the Washington, D.C., area in-,April of 1971. 41.1113311113111Ernalenems6M PROGRAM OUTLINE It is well known that homing pigeons will fly many hundreds of miles, often under adverse weather conditions, to return to their home lofts. Recent research by ORD has demonstrated the homing pigeon's ability to carry a sophis- ticated 16mm camera capable of taking high-resolution oblique photography. The purpose of the effort described here is to provide a scientific program for: a. Selection of high-quality pigeons; b. Training and documentation; c. Testing of performance and flight path prediction accuracy; ��'-'`"1" Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 d. Involvement and training of potential user; e. Simulated missions in the Washington, D.C., area. As seen in Figure 1, suppliers will provide birds to These will be high-quality birds selected for homing and weight- carrying ability. extenslve training and flight.path-accurac be sent to the OTS facility tests will- be-conducted with user involvement and evaluation,- Selected birds will then be by the, user to Mashingto4, D.C. o undergo simulated,mission-:tests,prior to being taken to operational sites. It is also seen in Figure 1 that amMOOD Alaska, is planned.in_order to measure changes test at Anchorage, in performance that may occur in transport to extreme northern. latitudes, (i.e., the Soviet Union). As seen in Figure 2, there are three basic suppliers with controlled lofts in The suppliers will obtain birds from various locations from Florida to Alaska, and some relocation testing will be conducted by trading birds between the controlled lofts prior to shipment of miles Figure 3 shows the scale Overflight accuracy tests will be conducted, using small DF transmitters on the birds and DF receivers located at various points along the flight path home. A light aircraft will also be fitted with a DF Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Figure 1: Program Outline Sept.-Nov. Bird Suppliers I Sept.-Jan. Homing Trapping Oct.-Feb. wimmgmannmma Weights Feb..-March Alaska � Relocation Culling/Data Flight Path Accuracy Launch Point Experiments Accuracy/Launch Point Adjustments Washington, DC Feb.-April V Relocation/Culling Overflight Accuracy Tests Operational Sites Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Figure 2: Suppliers Sept.-Nov. 1------ Alaska Sept.-Nov. West Coast Sept.-Nov. Florida Relocation Culling *Controlled Lofts Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 receiver to assist in flight path measurements. Bird- carried cameras will also be used to establish flight paths in some cases. Figure 4 shows the loft location A command post on top of the lab tower will provide communication for coordinating the field tests. Table 1 shows the expected transitional quarter costs ($108,000), and Table 2 shows the expected costs for FY-77 as $135,000 of which $70,000 is for ORD and 4$65,000 is for , OTS. Neither office has currently budgeted for these FY-77 MWMMA .costs. �Ensinansansia 4 OTS SUPPORT During the T.Q. two basic activities will take place: A pigeon loft and facilities will be constructed -0 12. riJ ($3,0,00)Y and place in arrive basic training for handlers will take For FY-77, the first birds will in early October and will continue to arrive through February 1977. will provide feeding and exercising of the birds twice daily on a seven- day-a--week basis plus homi � � ii � ht training at least three times a week. Complete records will also be kept. It is felt that the number of birds at any one time could be as ,Y .�\ o' r7J large as 100, and that- two tull-ti*handlers will be required') � .sosinwomesisoguriammar to perform this service and-ta-as-Sist in flight path accuracy tests to measure performance. FY-77 costs, including'the salary for two hired handlers, is estimated at $25,000.. 4monsimoms. Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 ilk -1 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 SE TABLE ] ORD T.Q. CONTRACT COSTS CONTRACTOR ITEM COST $ SUB RUNNING TOTAL TOTAL Materials & Supplies ,(Biru Lofts/Training) Purchase of Birds Aircraft Rental $15/hr (100 hrs.) Labor Travel 500 3,000 1,500 .3,000 2,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 3,000 7,000 5,000 25,000 35,000 '5 Cameras at $2,000 each Purchase of Birds Labor and Repair Travel and Field Support 3,300 ; 400 200 3,000 1,600 4,500 3,000 16,000 51,000 4 DF Receivers at $825 each Eight 1=gr. Transmitters at $50 each Three 6-gr. Transmitters at $65 each Commo Equipment for Field Tests Refit of Aircraft Labor Travel (continued) ,.1 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 I TABLE 1 (CONTINUED) ORD T.Q. CONTRACT COSTS CONTRACTOR I , ITEM SUB COST $ TOTAL RUNNING TOTAL Drawings & Doc. Purchase Birds Coast) Labor Travel (New Camera) & West 4,000 4,000 i ! 7,000 5,000 20,000 . 71,000 QRC Support ! 4,000 4,000 4,000 Building Supplies Labor 2,300 t 700 3,000 : .s.iffezingiss 78,000 Specialized Relocation Training ( 108,000 L A pproved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 TABLE 2 A ORD FY-77 CONTRACT COSTS CONTRACTOR ITEM SUB RUNNING COST $, TOTAL TOTAL Buildng Supplies yeed Two Bird Handlers Transport, Shipping, Misc. Labor. Boat Rental 500 500 21,000 1,000 1,009 1,000 25,000 25,000 miummmoom QRC Support i38,000 38,000 63,000 ELMENDORF AFB (ALASKA) Building Supplies Labor Gen. Support 1,000 4,000 2,000 7,000 70,000 tnort U. Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 TABLE 2 B , OTS FY-77 ESTIMATED COSTS CONTRACTOR ITEM SUB RUNNING COST $ TOTAL TOTAL 30 Cameras ($2,000 each) Construction of Lofts and D.C. Test Support Y-7.\5t 60,000 60,000 60,000 5,000 5,000 65,000 TOTAL. FY-77 COSTS $ 135,000 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 01-kj Four OTS ersonnel, capable of conducting operational missions, will be given preliminary training dossonsalo (about one week) and participate in (or direct) at least three or four simulated mission tests These personnel will also require training in handling and loading of the camera equipment. Five prototype cameras will be provided by ORD for design verification and initial tests OTS should provide a total of 30 cameras (at an estimated cost of $60,000) to , support the ma orit of tests a and Washington, D.C., "ossmonlanz==asia OTS will assess the operational quality of tests at and provide "IsommIliNeasfILMNOszca:ma to the Washington, D.C., area. OTS will be-responsihia_Lar_awasaucting all tests in , _ the Washin ton D C. area as well as the h ndlin of birds and the maintenance of cameras. ORD will provide assistance, Iskaismipppummampapseamm consultation, and analysis during the entire program. OTS �poormsz. may participate in (or direct) the test at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage,. Alaska, to verify performance at extreme northern. latitudes. Two OTS officers- now at 411131=93$111116110121Mnewillir have been identified as having previous experience in handling birds. and Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT . During the previous feasibility stage of this program, the voluntary involvement of NPIC provided technical evaluation and experimental direction which considerably improved the photographic product. It is strongly felt that this final phase of development will require the involvement of OSI, OWI, and SE as well as that of OTS, ORD, and NPIC in order to ensure a product of maximum intelligence value. It.is recommended that the Technical Collection Team.(TCT TACANA)-be continued, and include (NPIC), to properly advise and assess the efforts of the .vogram manager (Dr. Charles Adkins)- and the OTS team member during the course of this program. Figure 5 shows the recommended program management structure. As a matter of policy, humane disposition of all culled birds will be observed at each of the controlled lofts. Hpwever, for the bird loft and the use of birds in the tests at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska. It is expected that some assistance will be required for the initial contact, and arrangements with Elmendorf AFB. Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Figure 5: Program Management Structure TCT OTS - ORD - NPIC OSI - OWI - SE TCT/ORD Program Manager (Adkins) Bird Suppliers TCT/OTS (Kerr) Ops Tech Officers Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 OSR SUPPORT A computer search was performed by the personnel office to locate Agency employees familiar was found who Branch of OSR. His supervisor is Publications Staff. with homing pigeons. A works in the Publications Chief, was interviewed, with s permission, and was found to be quite knowledge- able in the raising and training of homing pigeons. A summary of his experience is enclosed. . was quite enthusiastic about participating in the program on a full-time basis. I suggest that Mr. Noel E. Firth, Director, OSR, be approached to consider the temporary reassignment of to this program for the period of one year. be responsible for the loft designs, the training of bird handlers and operational� personnel, selection and training of birds. to this program will be invaluable. and could supervise the contribution Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441 Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06408441