EVALUATION OF PRESSURE SUITS BEING USED OXCART

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81B00879R001000130081-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 13, 2002
• Sequence Number: 81
• Publication Date: February 14, 1964
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release 2003/02/27 : CIA-RDP81B0Q879R001000130081-2
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
OXC-6454-64
Copy, of 14
14 February 1964
SUBJECT : Evaluation of Pressure Suits Being Used
OXCART
Prob.em:
Complaint of discomfort by a majority of pilots.
Analysis:
The problem of comfor~,as associated with partial
and full pressure suits, has been of primary concern since
the first garment was fabricated for the Air Force years
ago. Real this, every effort has been made to
Insure that the OXCART pilots were properly fitted. This
was accomplished by detailed body measurements of each
individual, followed by a preliminary fitting of a
partially completed suit and finally a fitting of the
completed garment. Each-pilot was then indoctrinated in
an altitude chamber where the mission profile, and
emergency situations were simulated. After each chamber
run the pilot was interviewed regarding the experience
and encouraged to register any complaints that-he might
have. In some cases it was necessary to return the
pressure sift to the manufacturer for modification. the
garment was then considered qualified for flight. A
second suit was fabricated from the final patterns.
During the past few months an increasing number
of complaints have been registered regarding suit comfort.
~sult, D. Clark Co. sent an experienced man to
for a two week period to determine precisely the
reasons for the complaints. Pilots were remeasured and
where possible on the spot modifications were made. It
was decided that several suits would have to be returned
to the factory. The estimated cost of the changes will
be approximately
David Clark Co. is making pressure suits for
project GEMINI which incorporate a routing of the zipper
different than the OXCART suits. This appears to offer
a more comfortable overall configuration and could be
adapted to our suits. David Clark Co. estimates the cost
of this conversion to be between per
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/02/27 : CIA-RDP81B00879R001000130081-2
 Approved For Release 2003/02/27 : CIA-RDP81B00879R001000130081-2
OXC-6454-64
Conclusions
It is presently indicated that some OXCART suits
need rather major modification and will have to be returned
to D. Clark.
The GEMINI zipper appears to be a promising
innovation for overall comfort improvement.
Recommendat9,ons
Those OXCART Suits that are most uncomfortable
be returned to D. Clark for the GEMINI modification. If,
as a result of pilot evaluation of the change, it is
concluded that it is a malor improvement then one of the
two suits in possession o each OXCART and LAC pilots
be so modified.
25X1A
APD/OSA
Distribution!
Cy 1 - APD/OSA
2 w AD/OSA
3 DAD/OSA
4 - D/TECH/OSA
5 - D/FA/OSA
6 - OXC/FA/OSA
7 - CD/OSA
8 - PS/OSA
9 .- MD/1 SA
1Q" - SS/USA
11. - INTEL/OSA
12 > APD/OSA
13 - chrono
14 - RB/OSA
Aircraft ystems v son
pecial Activities
jlf (14 February 1964)
Approved For Release 2003/02/27 : CIA-R'bP81B00879R001000130081-2