<SANITIZED>AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Animal Partners
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06527547
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: September 6, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2019
• Publication Date: December 28, 1974

Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527547
3.3(h)(2)
Iono 008_1_7
AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM
FINAL REPORT
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Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527547
28 December 1974
AVAIN TRAINING PROGRAM
Contract Order No.
Final report (No. 7)
INTRODUCTION:
Chronologically, the 7 months which ended this con-
tract period was 5 months shorter than preceding contracts.
It did, llowever,' prdduce the most positive results with re-
lation to the TACANA operation to which it was devoted.
Experience and knowledge acquired during former con-
tract periods was a strong factor although it was during the
months just past when all the tight components came together
at the right time.
Additional training procedures were developed, such as
overflight of bird with camera in strange areas.- bird flying
from one building window to another up to distances of 1 mile.
- flying bird locating and flying into window of moving car
or to an operator who wears specific.items.of,a-pparel.
Feasibility tests were made in"package-orientation in
which the determination was made that a bird can orient a
compass, or other object, to a given direction.
There are, at the present time, a stable of trained
birds capable of performing a number of behaviors which
could readily be adapted to a variety of scenarios.
Following is a list of trained birds, comprised-of
4 different species. It is to be noted that these birds,
once trained, never lose acquired behaviors. It is necessary,
however, to recondition them again for a period of 2 to 3
weeks after they have been idle for any length of time.
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AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM
BIRDS ON HAND:
untrained trained
Red Tail Hawks 0 8
Harris Hawk 0 1
Ravens 5 5
Golden Eagles 0_ 2
Falcons 4 (partly) 1 (fully)
9 17
TOTAL 26
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3.
AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM
LOCATION CHANGE:
A decision between the Program Director and the Con-
tractor was reached early on in this contractual period
to change the base of operations from San Clemente Island,
California to Point Loma, California. Both of these locations
are Navy *Undersea Center Installations and the. proper:
clearance from them was first obtained before the move
was made. There were a number of reasons for this change.
We list the most important of these in the following:
SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND:
Objectional features:
a. Weather conditions, wind direction particularly,
was contrary to any existing condition which
might be expected at site of final task.
b. Weather severity, especially during winter months,
precluded working a full schedule. Due to geo-
graphical location and open sea exposure there
were several weeks when wind velocity was so
great it was impossible to work more than 1
or 2 days per week.
C. Isolation with regards to maintenance support
for vehicles,,both automobiles and boats, was
always a serious problem. When breakdowns occured
parts would have to be transported from the main-
land. This caused unreasonable delays due to the
erratic air service to and from the mainland.
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AVIAN TRAINING PROGRAM....
SAN CLEMENTE, CONT.
d. Further support for mechanical difficulties
was non-existant. Personnel who should have been
attending to training sbhedules were often, involved
in mechanical work they were not properly equipped
to perform.
POINT LOMA:
This location has resolved most of the afore-
mentioned problems. Progress in training has
been accelerated considerably. Weather conditions
have been favorable. North west winds have been the
rule. This would be the relative in-shore off-shore
direction to be expected within 10 miles of any
mainland.
TELEMETRY:
A number of telemetry, systems have been tested
on this project. None of them proved satisfactory
until the one presently
in use was acquired. Its
use immediately allowed the flight range of the
vehicles to be extended
Recounting the scenario
with a margin of safety.
in question, takes into
consideration the fact that the vehicles are in
sight of the operator for only a short time. This
poses a substantial risk during the initial training
during the period of time when the distance is
first being extended.
(CONT.).
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5.
AVAIN TRAINING PROGRAM....
TELEMETRY'.
The telemetry, system consists of 2 units - a small
beacon, weighing approximately 50 gms, and which is
attached to the vehicle. The other unit is a portable
direction finding receiver. Attached to the receiver
is a hand held antenna which produces a null and peak
mode in relation to the direction of the beacon.
The system is in use from the first when the vehicle
is started only a few yards to and from the boat.
Until the vehicle has flown several miles to and
from the boat it is still in the learning process. He
is still learning how to handle wind velocities
and how to gain sufficient pitch, or altitude, re-
quired for such a flight.
In the beginning he may make mistakes. If he
comes in too low from either direction he may be
attacked by resident birds. This can cause confusion
and panic. Although the vehicle eventually learns to
control these situations he is vulnerable in the
beginning and the telemetry, provides a means of
recovery under such conditions.
When the bird has acquired a range of 5 miles
he is considered to have the necessary, training to
go all the way. At this point it would be possible
to eliminate the telemetry. Its use, however, is
continued as a safeguard.
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6.
AVAIN TRAINING PROGRAM....
PROGRESS:
Of the.5 birds being used on the TACANA operation
1 has a physical handicap which eliminates it for further
training. Attempt are being made to trade it for another
bird suitable for this project.
3 additional falcons, acquired during this contract
time,have just recently been released from quarantine.
They are presently in training and show promise of
completing their training well within the limits of
this schedule.
The remaining bird is considered to be ready to
perform the scenario at this time. He is subject only
to additional training which includes a sail boat need-
ed for recognition purposes on the outflight. This
aspect will move forward as rapidly as the logistics
of acquiring a suitable boat and other related factors
are resolved.
CONCLUSION:
The conclusion of the Contractor is that the schedule
as it is presently proposed can be met if all the necessary
elements are available in time to allow for proper final
training.
RegoectfullY,
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