REQUEST FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL DEVICES TO BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH AERIAL DELIVERY OF PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03153A001800030039-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 12, 2014
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: June 18, 1951
• Content Type: MEMO

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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/05/14: CIA-RDP78-03153A001800030039-0
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O. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
FORM NO. 51-10 SECRET
FEB 1950
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/05/14: CIA-RDP78-03153A001800030039-0 /2:
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved forRelease2014/05/14 : CIA-RDP78-03153A001800030039-0
(4) SECRET
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MEMORANDUM FOR: CHIEF, LD/RD
SUBJECT
18 June 1951
: Request for Development of Special Devices to
be Used in Connection With Aerial Delivery of
Personnel and Equipment.
NOTE: Preliminary discussion concerning the practicability of
using the follyming devices has been discussed with R&D staff II.
1. Aerial delivery of personnel and equipment in the FE
area of responsibility will become increasingly dangerous due
to increasing enemy air activity. Before long, all air
deliveries will, of necessity, be made at night.
2. The successful completion of a "night delivery" mission
will demand the use of trained air crews and electronic aids.
This request deals with the special devices believed necessary
to insure adequate air support for OPC.
3. The two major problems are (1) adequate pathfinder
equipment that may be operated by DZ (Drop Zone) personnel to
insure location of the DZ at night, and (2) a means of rapidly
locating equipment dropped in and around the DZ area.
4. To overcome the two major problems, the following
equipment. is required:
a. Pathfinder equipment
(1) URC-4 (or URC-5) radio transmitter and
receiver
(2) ARA-8 homing adapter
(3) Ultraviolet floodlight installed on
aircraft
(4)
personnel
Fluorescent reflectors to be used by DZ
b. Locator equipment
(1) Fluorescent,tape reflectors
(2) Ultraviolet flashlight
SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/05/14: CIA-RDP78-03153A001800030039-0
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/05/14: CIA-RDP78-03153A001800030039-0
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5. The URC-4 radio and the ARA-8 homing adapter is now
standard Air Force equipment and may be obtained by requisition.
The ultraviolet floodlight for installation on the airplane may
not be available but could be fabricated from existing equip-
ment on the market. The fluorescent reflector to be used to
mark the DZ may be available. If not, it can probably be
developed.
6. The fluorescent tape reflector also may be available.
If not, it can probably be developed also. The ultraviolet
flashlight is probably not available on the market and would
have to be designed and manufactured.
7. A general description of the operational use of the
above equipment is as follows:
a. The ground crew at the DZ (Drop Zone) would be
furnished one or two URC-4 radio transmitter--receivers
and the necessary fluorescent reflectors to adequately
mark the DZ.
b. The airplane used for delivery of personnel
and equipment would be equipped with an ultraviolet
floodlight powerful enough to pick up the fluorescent
reflectors from a minimum distance of two miles.
c. The following procedure would be followed by
D2 personnel in furnishing adequate pathfinder techniques:
the URC -4 radio operator would go on the air approximately
15 minutes prior to ETA of aircraft over DZ. Two-way
radio contact can be made by voice or code for distances
ranging up to 90 miles. The URC -4 would put out a signal
which is used as a homer station. The aircraft will
track-in on this homer station by using the AIA-
adapter installed in the aircraft.
d. The DZ personnel would mark the DZ by positioning
the fluorescent reflectors. As the aircraft approaches
the cone of silence over the URC-4 transmitter, it will
receive instructions concerning the track-in and the wind
direction and velocity. Immediately upon leaving the
cone of silence, the pilot would turn on the ultraviolet
floodlight and pick up the reflectors located at the DZ.
These reflectors would be so designed as to reflect the
ultraviolet light only in the direction of the light
source. It is believed that with an experienced crew,
the entire operation could be accomplished in one pass
over the DZ and no circling would be required.
SECHEI
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/05/14: CIA-RDP78-03153A001800030039-0
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/05/14 : CIA-RDP78-03153A001800030039-0
anonr,
8. The fluorescent tape reflectors would be attached to the
packages or equipment that is dropped at the DZ. The DZ
personnel would be equipped with an ultraviolet flashlight with
sufficient power to pick up the fluorescent tape reflectors at
distances of at least 50 yards. The fluorescent tape reflectors
could be so constructed as to not only reflect ultraviolet
light but-also to reflect white light. It is believed that the
use of this locator equipment would greatly facilitate the finding
of equipment which is dropped inadvertently outside the DZ.
9. Operational requirements.
a. Actual tests using the subject devices should be
accomplished and if proven satisfactory, it is contemplated
that it will be used in all FE areas of responsibility.
b. The ultraviolet flashlight should be made into a
water-proof case and should be so constructed that it can
easily be carried in a man's pocket.
c. Camouflage will not be required other than
insuring that all equipment is sterile.
d. The individuals who will be required to use these
devices may be easily taught how to operate them. It is
contemplated that our indigenous personnel will be
operating this equipment in the DZ.
e. This equipment should be so constructed as to
stand the rough treatment it would receive being carried
about over rough terrain and to stand up under the
landing shocks of paratroop jumps.
10. It is believed that the Air Force, at the present time,
is experimenting in the use of the ultraviolet light and fluores-
cent reflecting tape. The Air Force is using this equipment
to experiment with night landings. The United States Air Force
is conducting these tests at Colorado Springs. Another source
of information is Professor' Brian O'Brian, Professor of Optics
at the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York. He may
have information concerning the construction of these devices.
FE RDRB Voting Member
SECRET
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/05/14: CIA-RDP78-03153A001800030039-0