PROJECT OXYGAS

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Animal Partners
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06639865
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: September 6, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2019
• Publication Date: November 2, 1964

Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06639865.
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3.3(h)(2)
6.2(d)
2 November 1964'
UEMODANDUM 110P.:. Chief, Special Operations Division
L1UDJECT:
Project MaGAf;
1. This report is submittod for information only. Per
attachments 1 and 2, the nature of tho Project and its prog-
ress to date are such that broad spectrum attention to it may �
be indicated at a later date.
.2. Project =GAS was conceived for the purpose of
exploring feasibility of utilizing the bottlo-nose dolphin
(Tursioos truncatus) in undorvater attacks against enemy ship-
J5117:lis anu .U2D/L3 (DD;) ae co-sponsoring ONYCAS with
r/T3 having contracted (;07,370) through
."or the exploration plus providing technical guidance and
SOD ;a1'.. Providing the necessary operational input.
3. At the outset, therOXYGAS concept and the modest
investment were cOnsidored more than justifiable providing
feasibility ccu/d be demonstrated to deliver a simulated
weapons packago over an open sea distanco to a propellor of
a moored PT boat. Cbviously, if to PT boat attack system
can he developed, many spill-over areas of interest will then
appear feasible such as: attacks on varieties of ship types;
harbor and coastal reconnaissance through photographic means;
specializod LILINT funotioas: certain tyoos of resupply opera-
tions; placement of sonar, acoustic, and seismic buoys; place-
rent of rocket detection units, and RP, UV, LW, CW sensors
and trace element collectors.
4. As is known, the Agency and the Navy have spent Con-
siderable time and money developing swimmer delivery systems
to accmplish these came purposes with the end-product being
of marginal effectiveaess at best.
.5. As a matter of interest, it is estimated that the
combined Agoncy/Vavy annual costs in maintaining marginally
effective swimmer attack Eystcms run in excess of five million
dollars for the swimmers and specialized equipment alone.
This o3timato does not includo support shipping or outfitting
cots.. Not an inconsiderable factor in a manned system is
.the physical diliK:er to the man in ()nosing himself to an
unnatural environment with or without the, additional hazard
. of enemy action.
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Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06639865
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06639865
6. Progress to date with OXYCAS has been so encouraging
that it is now deemed appropriate to invite high level atten-
tion to the project. IX, as expected by both 03D/LS and
sop/m, feasibility of the use of dolphins in this fashion
cm be demonstrated, guidance and support ol moderate magni-
tude will be required if the concept is to be .transformed
from a technical feasibility stage to an operational system.
7. Assuming feasibility is demonstrated, COD/MB feels
the OXYCAS concept should be developad into an operational
system. In this contest it should bp understood that the
dolphin cannot be expected to corpletely replace the man in
the water. The dolphin should, however, he ezpocted to
obviate the need for a major portion of our man-effort with
n resultant considerable short and long-range dollar saving
and many other advantages..
stERO
IP/Z"7
Attachments:
: 1. Memo
2. Look
Distribution:
1-3 - C/SOD
, 4E15 - MB/SOD
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Chief, Maritime Eranch
Spacial Operations Division
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Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06639865