DEAR AL:

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP67B00511R000100110028-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 20, 2002
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: October 3, 1963
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved ? Release 2003/01/24: CIA-RDP67B0.1 R0001 0b110028-9
OSA-5255-63
3 October 1963
As a result of the 26 September meeting on personal and life
support equipment, several problem areas were clarified and responsibilities
of contractors defined. Following is a recap of the conclusions of
the meeting as they effect the Firewel Co.
Problem: Oxygen consumption vs. ships supply.
Discussion and action: It was agreed that 25 liters per minute
be accepted as a base line from which to compute duration vs. supply.,,
Cockpit pressurization at 26,000 ft. will remain the same. A failure
of one system at mission mid-point is possible and sufficient oxygen
must be available for safe return on the remaining system.
By the end of November of this year the larger oxygen bottles,
3.100 cu. in. vs. the present 875 cu. in., will be installed. These
bottles will be charged to 2800 PSI vs. the present 2000 PSI.
Problem: Readability of ships oxygen pressure gauge.
Action: A top priority item for Firewel Co. to provide a gauge
that can be read quickly and accurately. LAC may have to relocate the
gauge to eliminate paralax error.
Problem: Oxygen Equalizer Valve
Discussion: This device is required to insure that both ships
oxygen systems bleed down together. To date, Firewel Co. has not
been able to produce an acceptable valve.
Action: Firewel will continue working on the problem and LAC
will try their own approach.
Problem: Vent flow back pressure In full pressure suit.
Action: Firewel will investigate change of flow at different detent
positions on the flow controller. They will also investigate the bigger
problem of why so much volume is required for adequate cooling. This
problem has not been encountered in chamber runs.
Problem: Manual press to test.
Action: Item has met with pilot approval however, a more coarse
control is desired - Firewel will provide.
Problem: Vent hose disconnecting.
Action: Firewel procuring hoses that . are. tiro inches longer.
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Problem: Floating position of pilot in full pressure suit.
Discussion and Action: In a pool demonstration the subject was
able to float in face down position. However, the parachute harness
did not include the emergency oxygen pan or the automatic timer pan.
Firevel to provide harness with these features plus a survival kit
for future tests. Previous jump tests indicated proper floating
-position.
Problem: Release of emergency oxygen hose connection at suit-
controller.
Action: Firewel recently modified this connection which is being.
evaluated by the pilots.
It is hoped the above recap will serve as a guideline for your
future effort.
Regards,
$arry Ca
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OBA-5254-63
4 October 1953
As a result of the 26 Bapteaber meeting on personal and life
support equipment, actions to be taken by several contractors were
defined. The problems, discussion, end action as related to LAC
are as follows:
Problem;
amen consumption vs. d2ips supply.
ft~
Discussion and action- It waa agreed that 25 liters per minute
be accepted as a base line from ithich to compute duration vs. supply.
Cockpit pressurization at 26,000 ft. will, remain the same. A failure
of one system at mission mid-poi, is possible and sufficient oxygen
must be available for safe return on the remaining system.
By the end of November of this yew the larger oxygen bottles,
1100 Cu. in. vs. the present 875 cu. in.,, will be instaalled. These
bottles will be charged to FBI vs. the present 2000 PSI.
When the larger bottles, charged to the higher pressure, are
installed, a mission of eight ham and fifteen minutes is possible
with failure of one systemm at mission mid-point. This assumes a
consumption rate of 25 liters peer minute.
The possibility of charging the bottles to 3000 PBX will be
pursued by Firewel. Co.
Problem: Readability of ships oxygen pressure gauge.
Action: A top priority item for Firew el Co. to provide a gauge
that can be read quickly and accurately. LAG may have to relocate the
gauge to eliminate parelax error.
Problem; oxygen Equalizer Valve
Discussion- This device is required to insure that both ships
oxygen systems bleed down together. Tb data, Fireswel Co. has not
been able to produce an acceptable valve.
Action: Firewel will continue working on the problem and LAO
will try their own approach.
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X11-525 13
Palms I
Problem: Neck Beal vs. teem Seal in full pressure suit helmet.
Discussion: Two LAC pig and two of our pilots have suits
with the neck seal. "lights vin,_0ontinue with these garments to
gather additional information reg fiag oxygen consumption and comfort.
Ejection Seat D Ring.
Discussion: A new D ring configuration was mocked up and checked
with subject pressurized. Sbe subject was able to reach the D ring
under pressure, however, the back up system D ring vas barely reachable.
Action: LAC will it ro back up "ton D ring.
Proms: Location of visor heat control.
Action: Although this contrat has been moved fbrward four inches,
the subject could not reach it t o the suit was pressurized. LAC Will
attempt to make the control more accessible.
Problan> Leg stretch
Action: .AC will provide new rudder configuration that will allow
full leg stretch then desired.
Problem: Lap belt failure.
Discussion: A lap belt failure in an ejection seat test at
El Centro prevented dummy and seat separation. LAC investigated the
problem and found that the force required to sheer the pin varied
from 450 PSI to 850 PSI. This was caused by pin heat treat thich
ranged from 55,E PSI UTS to 110,000 PSI UT IL
Actions LAC is replacing the presently installed shear pin with
one which has a controlled heat treat of 55,000 PSI UN to 66,000 PSI
UTS maximum.
Problem: Oxygen pressure wing light.
Discussion: Pilots desire an oxygen pressure warning light to
indicate low breathing pressure or possibly both low and high oxygen
pressure.
Action: LAC will investigate.
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OBA-525"3
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A meetinG of headquarters representatives wM be held early
next week regarding the present parachute and the integrated harness.
I will keel you informed on the decisions reached.
Regards:
Harry C.
Approved For Release 2003/01/24: CIA-RDP67BOO511 R000100110028-9