D&E ROLE IN AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Animal Partners
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06527479
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: September 6, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2019
• Publication Date: October 7, 1975

Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527471
3.3(h)(2) 6.2(d)
/Pell &LAT--
OTS/CB Memo #75-123
7 October 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: OTS/COP
SUBJECT DU Role in Avian Training Program
REFERENCE : "Avian Demonstrations" Memo dated
27 August 1975 - ORD-3603- 75 �
1. In the event that the reference demonstrations
illicit a favorable response from the DDO operating
divisions and some practical targets can be identified,
OTS/CB will in all probability be responsible for the
final development of the system. At this time, no FY-76
funds are budgeted for work in this area, although it
was mentioned as a possible budgetary item in OTS/CB's
planning paper if the ORD program was successful and if
operational requirements justified OTS participation.
2. The avain training program involves the use of
trained birds to perform some act, e.g. photography, sensor
package emplacement, of operational significance in loca-
tions inaccessible to human agents. The present ORD Pro-
gram is based on a requirement to photograph a specific
portion of a Soviet SA-5 radar antenna. (This is a highly
ambitious undertaking in that the bird would be required
to fly a round-trip of about 30 miles i.e. 15 miles to
the target, perch in a location which would permit collec-
tion of significant photographs and return to the launch
point.) To my knowlege, the distance traveled by a trained
bird to date is about 16 miles round-trip.
3. I have visited both of the ORD contractor's
during the
past year for a first hand briefing on the state of the
avian development. From these briefings and past experi-
ence, there is no doubt, in my opinion, that birds can
be trained to perform emplacement, retrieval, and photo-
graphy missions under a variety of scenarios. A survey
E2 IMPDET CL BY
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Ek,AP r.74::t
low
of possible DDO operational use of trained birds was
made about two years ago. Although some interest was
expressed, the only requirement surfaced at that time
was the above mentioned photography. In my opinion some
worthwhile targets, which are more reasonably within the
birds capabilities and easier to lay on operationally,
need to be identified. Also in my opinion, OTS should
be ready to take advantage of ORD developments and work
toward one or more specific targets, if they are identi-
fied.
4. OTS/CB is attending the referenced
demonstration for DED. The main purpose of his partici-
pation is for technical briefing since he would be a
prospective project engineer if OTS/CB got involved in
this area.
M. David Boston
Chief, OTS/CB
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527479