TACANA TCT MEETING - 16 JANUARY 1976

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Animal Partners
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06527476
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: September 6, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2019
• Publication Date: February 11, 1976

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1 FE.B. �i�J16
6.2(d)
3.3(h)(2)
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. Barry D. Kelly, NIO/SA
SUBJECT : TACANA TCT Meeting - 16 January 1976
1. A. meeting of the TACANA Technical Collection
Team was convened on Friday, 16 January, at 10:00 a.m.
in Room 716, Ames Building with the following present:
,-OTS - Chairman
SE/USSR - Vice Chairman
LSR/ORD - Executive Secretary
OTS
Dr. Charles W. Adkins, OT/ORD
OT/ORD
Recording Secretary
2. The following subjects were discussed at this
meeting:
a. Documentary Films
Two documentary motion picture films were.
viewed by the TCT. The first was 27 minutes in
duration and provided comprehensive coverage of the
various demonstrations on 7-9
October 1973. The other was a short moon picture
depicting a 30 minute training session atcomplished-
with a raven. The film showed a raven learning a
new response (picking up a water sample in a tin cup)
and extending its flight distance with the water
sample from approximately three feet to 60-75 yards.
h. Operational Test Scenario
(1)
scenario for the TACANA test
the Washington, D.C. area:
DEFINITIONS:
rA) cvpi711AvFm.
to be
presented the following
accomplished in
Thr, qf�rpi-lqvi,n will siillulato
CC) untry.
It will consist of Room 222 East
E2 IMPDET CL BY
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Building, which will simulate
East Building is circa
from the target:
(b) RELEASE. POINT: The release point
will simulate an actual operational release
point as nearly as possible. It will consist
of either the church parking lot located oii
directly opposite the church (on the South �
side of the road) just inside the sparse wood
line.
(c) TARGET: The target will simulate an
actual target. It will consist of the
radome
which is
2.95 miles almost due west of the release
point. The radome is spherical, with a
truncated bottom for the.base. The radome is
light. or white-colored..
(d) SHIPPING: The TACANA assets should be
shipped from the rnntrnrtnr'c hnldina nnint to
Wnchinatnn n r
OTS Prior to
the arrival of the assets, all suppprt equip-
ment should have been shipped and be on hand at
the Safehaven. The OTS reps will take the cargo
directly to the �Safehaven and open it in Room 222.
The assets should then exit and enter the Safe-
haven only in concealment or through a special
exit.
(e) ACCLIMATIZATION: Per contractor instructions..
(f) DEPLOYMENT: The assets should be taken
from the Safehaven concealed in a container no
larger in size than an L.L. Bean Canvas bag.
They should be taken. directly to an auto which
will be parked close to the Safehaven Building.
(g) RELEASE: At the release point, the auto
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should pull into a turnoff from the road. The
person making the release should step from the
auto into a covered position for actual release
as quickly as is consonant with natural movement.
The assets should depart the area quickly.
(h) RETURN: The assets, equipped with cameras
should proceed directly to the target, circle
over it for two to three minutes, then return
directly to Room 222 East Building, entering it
via the special entrance.
Camera Equipment Status
(1) A special high-resolution thin-based film
designated as 3400. or 3414 has been received from
Kodak. A film slicer has been obtained from OTS
and a $5,000 work order has been established
for the purpose of using their photographic laboratory
The laboratory will be used to slice film and
process initial photographic test samples for
determining camera resolution capabilities and
calibrating blurring due to linear motion of the
camera.
(2) During the week of 5 January several :rolls of
film were sliced to 1f . mm form.qt to be taken tc
during the following week for test
in the initial prototype camera, '
(3) Flight tests of new camera configurations are
scheduled to take place during the latter part of
January. At this time the probable resolution on
the ground is estimated to be about one and one half
to two inches per 100 feet of altitude. It is
estimated that the birds will fly at an altitude
of approximately 100 feet.
(4) A thin Mylar film harness weighing approximately
one half gram 'which is about three - four grams
lighter than the pigskin harness currently in use
was fabricated and tested for fit and utility on two
locally owned pigeons. The harnesses were sent to
the contraCtor for test. After a. number of flights
with the new harness the contractor decided not to
use it because he felt it was not flexible enough
when fully tightened-.
(5) Dimensions for the radome target to be used
...rahnh
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W1,1.11.41
for the ultimate tests at
be as follows:
a) Target sphere is
were found to
in diameter.
The sphere sits on a truncated base
in diameter.
(c) The height between the base and the
top of the sphere is
(6) A portable test target was mailed to the
contractor on 26 December 1975. It was supposed to
be inflatable to a diameter of 20 feet. However,
it was only possible to inflate it to a diameter of
approximately eight feet. This target .is being
retained for possible use later in the program even
though the contractor does not expect to use. it and
is fabricating several simulated targets which he
thinks will be more realistic and easier to use.
d. Contractor Project Status
(1) The contractor has trained two flocks of
pigeons to home 30 miles with a payload. One of.
these flocks was relocated to
area from San Diego. The contractor is procuring
new birds from pigeon racers in California. and is
also, attempting to selectively breed soRe strong
flyers and good homers.
(2) On the basis of experience gained to date
the contractor considers the following project.
Schedule to be possible.
(a) January - February
1. Complete training of pigeon to
home 50 miles with a payload.
2. Determine effect of 35 gram payload
on homing performance.
3. Train pigeons to execute dog leg
and return to home loft.
4. Fly cameras for tes-L purposes.
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(d)
(b) March - April
Preliminary full scale test in California.
(c) April to May
Dress rehearsal in Oklahoma.
May - June
Full scale test in Washington, D.C.
The conctractor conSiders this schedule to
be very pessimistic and intends to be
constantly working toward being ahead of
this schedule wherever possible.
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