WORKING GROUP ON REMOTE SYSTEMS INPUT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01139A000200110026-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: July 13, 2005
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: November 28, 1963
• Content Type: NOTES

Approvec1r Release 2005/07/20 : CIA-RDP80BQi9A000200110026-2
S-E-C-R-E-T
CODIB-D-85/6
26 November 1963
Limited Distribution
UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE BOARD
COMMITTEE ON DOCUMENTATION
Working Group on Remote Sps tams Input
The attached WGRS1 report is transmitted for information; it reflects
most recent developments, Including selection of General Dynamics as
the contractor to produce the desired secure paper-tape typewriter, plus
the need for parallel development of a manual input-only device.
Secretary
GROUP I
S-E-C-R E-T Excluded from automatic
downgrading and
declassification
Approved For Release 2005/07/20 : CIA-RDP80B01139A000200110026-2
25X1
 Approved F`mrRelease 2005/07/20 : CIA-RDP80B01'1A000200110026-2
S.E C R E T
20 November 1963
MEMORANDM4 FOR : Chairman, Committee on Documentation, USIB
SUBJECT : Report of Working Group on Remote Systems Input
1. The Navy's request for price quotation to industry, based
on the joint USIB/USCSB requirements for a secure paper tape type-
writer, resulted in proposals from 9 companies. Two bidders--IE4
and General Dynamics-- were judged promisingfrom all points of'view,
and these companies were asked to present their proposals orally
to the Working Group.
2. On the basis of the written proposals and oral presentations.
the Working Group and the Navy Project Officers are unanimous in
their selection of General Dynamics as the contractor. The USSB
Technical Sub-Committee of the Special Committee on Compromising
Emanations (SCOCE) considers General Dynamics capable of addressing
itself to the security requirements. The basic differences of cost,
ability to meet Nag 1A/iI'SEC specifications and related considerations
leading to this decision are summarized in Tab A. The award will be
granted as soon as possible.
3. We must report, however, that the best choice is by no means
ideal. The General Dynamics device has not fret been built and tested;
development costs are estimated at $500,000; prototypes are to be
delivered to the Government for testing 18 months from date of con-
tract.(mid-165). Another 18 months from date of acceptance will be
required before units are available in production quantities, i.e.:
1967. The device will probably cost around $4000 when available; if
orders for 1,000 or more units each year are anticipated.
4. The basic purpose of this program--development. of -a secure,
economical, easily maintained device to be used in all jointly shared
installations overseas for source data automation and. input to tele-
communications--will not be realized. While the General Dynamics
machine, if succeasfuly-developed, promises great flexibility, security,
and relatively easy maintenance, the prospects of spending $4,000 per
typewriter, plus maintenance considerations, will probably bar its use,
in many of the smaller diplomatic posts.
GROUP I
Excluded from automallc
downgrading and
declassification
Approved For Release 2005/07/20 : CIA-RDP80B01139A000200110026-2
 Approved F+Release 2005/07/20 : CIA-RDP80B01+iA000200110026-2
S E C R E T
5. Because of this, the Working Group has requested the Navy
to accelerate development of the "manual input--only" device specified
as an alternate approach in the U838 statement of requirements and the
Navy Technical Development Plan. It may be possible to devise a
machine language recording device coupled with a normal manual type-
writer which will satisfy the intelligence reporting and telecommunications
needs of most small installations.
6. We see, then, a practical need to develop two devices. The
more so ihisticated will be used in a wide variety of applications which
e#~xtail?message formats, on-line as well as off-line communications,
code conversion, message reading, and other rather comprehensive features.
The manual device would be used by those services sharing small posts
for intelligence reporting through telecommunications channels by Ser-
vice Attaches, Foreign Service Officers, CIA personnel, as well as other
classified usage.
7. The Working Group on Remote Systems Input will meet periodically
to review progress on these developments and report its findings to
CODIB
25X1
Chairman, Working Group on
Remote Systems Input
Coordinated in draft with
Qwa,irman,
Technical Sub-Committee of the SCOCE
Approved For Release 2000/ :0 RC RDP80B01139A000200110026-2
 Approved Fiq elease 2005/W7/j?CL< ?I -l DP80B01` A0 A000200110026-2
TAB A
1 C*WARISON OF THE PROPOSED GE`N AL DYNAMICS AND
M24 TAPE PROWOING AND TAPE READING TYP'k
1. It - IIl4 offers a machine which is being developed for the
commercial market at about $3500. To meet NAG ]A/7'SEC specifications,
expensive modifications and additions are proposed, bring g the
$5 ice up to as-much as $6000 each for 100 machines per year or about
300 each for 1000 or more machines. The mechanical design (no relays
or contacts) of the basic equipment goes a long way toward making this
machine secure; however, acoustical and power line modulation problems
are yet to be solved. iai's approach to acoustics - special covers to
enclose the typewriter, reader and punch accounts for much of the
additional cost. Mean time between failure (Mw) is estimated at 400
hours - far below requirements of the specification. While the machine
will undoubtedly be easy to operate, it could present maintenance pro-
blems at small installations. Conversion from one code level to an-
other can be accomplished in the field but with less ease than might be
desired. In summary, Iffi+4 has a good machine far along in development
but it is too expensive and lacks the flexibility offered in the General
Dynamics equipment.
2. GENERAL DYNAMICS - The machine offered by General Dynamics is
not an entirely new product. It will incorporate into one package ideas
which, for the most part, have been tried and proven in other types of
equipment. The cost for 100 units will be about $6000 each, but is
estimated by General Dynamics at $3400 each for 1000 or more units yearly.
NAG-LA/ SEC and military specifications can be met in all respects. The
equipment will be easy to operate. Conversion from one code level to
another can be accomplished by the operator. Flexibility appears almost
unlimited with the options offered. Maintenance will be facilitated by
modular construction and the possible use of throw-away components.
M1'BF is estimated at 4800 hours for electronic components and about 1550
hours for mechanical portions of the machine. Problems could appear in
development, and delivery time for production is estimated at 18 months
from acceptance of prototypes.*
Conclusion: Although not ideal, the General Dynamics machine appears
to bthe-beat all around tape producing/reading typewriter proposed to
date at an acceptable unit cost.
SECRET
Approved For Release 2005/07/20 : CIA-RDP80B01139A000200110026-2
 Approved Flelease 2005/off /)p o Q t RJ P80B01V A000200110026-2
* In order to simplify and accelerate development and production, the
Navy bas agreed to waive the shock and vibration requirement in ~L E
i6-4oo.
Approved For Release 2005/0g/Z9 CC*kN- P80B01139A000200110026-2