LETTER TO LT. GENERAL A. W. BETTS FROM W. F. RABORN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000300140006-0
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 26
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 1, 2003
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: June 10, 1966
• Content Type: LETTER

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1001966
Executive Registry
May I express the appreciation of the A
own Personal gratitude for the g~Yand my
Laboratory today, splendid trip to the wick Reaction
I was greatly impressed with the com
attitude of all your people, and it certain Pete and wide.awake
fine Job. Y seems they are doing a
I was also happy to lead that considerable liais
for some time betwep our boys and on has existed
time, however, I noted that my lads yours at the lab. At the same
possible interest because they were ' COPIOUS 0008 of items of
to these items, for the first time
being introduced
We certainly want to contirae
be of any help we can
in collateral to work closely with you and
know we will benefit in matters of our sa ec f A t the same
time we
responsibilities. pacific interest and
A s you know, It is a pleasure to do business with you.
Warmest best wishes.
Sincerely,
Army review(s) completed.
Lt. General A. [y
c I, w. k'. Raborn
Chief of Research and ~~ USA
Department of the Army vrriopment Headquarters
Washington, D. C. 20310
WFR:mcm_ ~i
Fil
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 U. S. ARMY LI M ITED WAR LABORATORY
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 The U. S. Army Limited War Laboratory
Headquarters building has been dedicated
YORK HALL in recognition of Captain
Don J. York-Graduated from USMA,
1954. Killed in action July 14, 1962, while
serving as U. S. Advisor to the 3rd Air-
borne Battalion Vietnamese Army.
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Introduction
The deterring effect of the nuclear capability of both the United States and the U.S.S.R. changed
the philosophy of war during the 1950's. Any aggressive power with ideas of expanding its sphere
of influence was no longer willing to use military force openly and risk starting a war that could
eventually end in the use of nuclear weapons. So, while the nuclear deterrent discouraged open
warfare, it also brought about an increase of subversive insurgency.
With the increase of the number of widespread incidents of subversive insurgency, most of which
occur in underdeveloped countries, the U. S. Army found that its forces, equipped with the most
modern materiel of war, required additional, specialized equipment in order to effectively combat
the subversive insurgency in a geographic and political environment where a man and a rifle are
the most important ingredients in the expansion of the sphere of influence.
This situation caused the Defense Department to study these changed conditions and determine
what was needed to combat this type of warfare. One of the recommendations was for the estab-
lishment of a R&D laboratory with a "quick reaction" capability of producing items of materiel
expressly designed for use in combating subversive insurgency in underdeveloped countries. From
this recommendation, the U. S. Army Limited War Laboratory evolved. It was activated on 15
June, 1962, as a Class II activity under the command of the Chief of Research and Development
with station at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Staff responsibility has been delegated to
the Chief, Special Warfare Division, Office of the Chief of Research and Development.
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Mission
To provide a centralized Research and Development activity with a quick reaction capability for
meeting Army operational requirements relating to limited war, particularly to war of low inten-
sity in underdeveloped or remote areas of the world. This includes specifically the provision of
a quick-reaction facility for accomplishing short-range development of specialized limited warfare
items. It is responsible for the generation of new ideas for materiel items to improve the effec-
tiveness of military personnel committed to limited warfare actions.
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Personnel
The present personnel of the Laboratory total 146. Civilians account for 134 spaces and military,
12 spaces. The civilians were selected not only because of their specialized expertise but also for
the depth and variety of research experience and the quality of their imaginative and creative
thinking. These project engineers when given a problem, conceive the solution, develop the item,
take it through complete testing and may accompany it to Vietnam for demonstration or training
of the first troops in its use. The 12 military spaces are primarily staffed by combat arms officers
who have completed recent assignments in counterinsurgency environments. It is their knowl-
edge of the environment and conditions that guides the engineers in developing materiel that will
meet the requirements of a specific area. It also is their responsibility to maintain close liaison
with the Special Warfare Agency and the Special Warfare and Civil Affairs Group of the Combat
Developments Command.
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Telephone Extension
Commanding Officer
Colonel R. W. McEvoy------------------------------------------ 3094
Technical Director
Edward K. Kaprelian ............................................ 3998
Executive for Administration
Peter M. Anderson ................................................ 4473
Chief, Operations & Analysis Division
Lt. Colonel J. F. Matteson-------------------------------- 4191
Chief, Development Engineering Division
John C. Ackerman ................................................ 5104
Chief, Applied Research Division
Milton Cutler -------------------------------------------------------- 4272
Chief, Technical Support Division
Peter B. Ferrara---------------------------------------------------- 5105
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Organization
The straight forward organizational structure of the Laboratory provides direct communication
so that work can move at a rapid pace. The personnel are few in number but each is competent
in two or more technical areas or scientific disciplines thereby achieving the flexibility necessary
for "quick reaction" in the development of urgently required materiel for the forces engaged in
limited warfare.
The Laboratory is in constant contact with the troops through a liaison man in the field who
keeps the Laboratory informed of the needs of the troops and demonstrates new items from the
Laboratory to the users in the field. The liaison man is one of the more important single factors
in determining user needs and in assuring the items developed fulfill a legitimate need and meet
the conditions of the user and his environment. As the organization chart shows, the Laboratory
has a branch which is the counterpart of each major Army R&D Laboratory. These are, of course,
only tiny miniatures of the principal labs and are concerned only with short range development
of materiel items needed immediately by troops committed to limited war. The basic philosophy
of the Laboratory is not to find the ultimate solution to a problem but to develop the best solution
possible in the time frame of 18 months or less. Assisting the troops in fighting today's battles is
the prime mission of the Laboratory; the optimum item of materiel will be developed by the major
R&D laboratory responsible for the field of interest.
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U S ARMY LIMITED WAR LABORATORY
COMMANDING
OFFICER
TECHNICAL
DIRECTOR
OPERATIONS ?&
ANALYSIS
DIVISION
DEVELOPMENT
ENGINEERING
DIVISION
APPLIED
RESEARCH
DIVISION
Evaluation &
Analysis
Branch
Operations
Branch
Comm. & Elect.
Branch
Munitions
Branch
Mobility
Branch
Environment
& Survival
Branch
Chemical &
Explosives
Branch
Applied
Physics
Branch
Biological
Sciences
Branch
EXECUTIVE
OFFICE
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
DIVISION
Experimental
Shop
Test
Liaison
Office
Technical
Library
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While the organization chart shows sharp lines of demarcation of responsibility, in practice the
Laboratory has an unusual flexibility. Because of the smallness of the organization and the wide
diversity of scientific and technological disciplines, several branches of both the Development
Engineering and Applied Research Divisions will work together on a complex problem. The
housing of so many disciplines under one roof greatly contributes to the efficiency of the Labora-
tory and is a significant factor in quick-reaction. Both the Operations and Analysis and Technical
Support Divisions back up the work of all branches; the Evaluation and Analysis Branch pro-
viding an assessment of the merits of an idea, the Operations Branch contributing knowledge from
first-hand experience in the field, and the Experimental Shop designing and fabricating mock-ups,
models or prototypes of hardware for tests or feasibility. No person is involved in just one job;
he is helping others with theirs while being helped by others. This cross-fertilization approach
brings deep involvement in the work and tends to breed an unusual dedication of effort.
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Some Representative Developments
On the following pages are pictured and described a few representative items developed by the
Laboratory.
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Cargo/Personnel Lowering System
The cargo/personnel lowering system consists of a governor which resembles a miniature alu-
minum ladder, 150 feet of i/s" nylon rope, a personnel harness and a carrying case.
The system was developed for the purpose of lowering personnel or up to 500 pounds of cargo
from a hovering helicopter in areas where the helicopter is unable to land or to lower a para-
chutist to the ground quickly after a tree landing.
The system works on the principle of rope friction. One end of the rope is laced through the
governor-the number of lacings depends on the amount of weight being lowered-the end of
the rope is then fastened to an anchoring point in the helicopter, or in the case of a parachutist,
to his parachute risers or to the tree. The governor is next hooked to the ring in the personnel
harness and the soldier allows the rope to feed out of the carrying case, through his hand and
through the governor. He can slow his descent or stop at any time merely by applying a slight
pressure with his thumb and forefinger. The complete system, including harness, weighs only 71/4
pounds.
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Signal, Ground Smoke
The signal, ground smoke, was developed to provide
personnel engaged in counterinsurgency and limited
war operations with a small, short duration smoke
signal.
While the Army inventory contains the standard M8
white and M18 colored smoke grenades which could be
used for signaling, these were deemed too heavy and
sometimes produced more smoke than was needed for
a particular operation.
The signal, ground smoke, consists of a pyrotechnic
smoke pellet wrapped in aluminum foil and packaged
in an aluminum container with a screw cap. It is
ignited by a simple scratch block and igniter pellet.
The cartridge burns for approximately 18 seconds and
produces a smoke cloud which is visible to aerial ob-
servers at an altitude of 1000 feet and a slant range of
about one mile. Because of its small size and light
weight (1.1 oz), a soldier can carry 16 of these cart-
ridges and still not have the weight of one M8 smoke
grenade.
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Position Locator
The position locator is a compact device for use by
both conventional and counterinsurgency forces in any
type of terrain to locate themselves geographically
with respect to other known locations. The device is
self-contained and is independent of any base station.
The system is based upon the repeated determination
of an individual's stridge length. This distance is
resolved into east-west and north-south components
with the aid of heading information derived from a
magnetic compass. These coordinates are then con-
tinuously added to present position, expressed in grid
coordinates, to provide a continuous display.
The final configuration will weigh no more than 10 lbs
and will be worn by foot soldiers without impairment
of normal functions. It will operate continuously for
40 hours before battery recharging. The packaging is
designed to survive parachute drop or rough handling.
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Lightweight Water Purification Unit
The lightweight water purification unit was developed to provide troops a supply of pure water
in areas where water is polluted, brackish or mineral laden. The unit consists of a tubular boiler
and tubular condenser of pliable plastic film materials. The boiler is four inches in diameter and
five feet long, made of silicone rubber-coated fiberglass fabric. The boiler is provided with a sili-
cone rubber fiberglass fabric connecting tube which has a quick-connect coupling to which the con-
denser is connected. The condenser is a length of thin film clear plastic tubing (sausage casing)
five inches in diameter and 20 feet or more in length. The distiller operates from the heat of any
small fire built directly beneath the water filled boiler. Incorporated in the boiler is a filling valve
through which raw water may be added during operation to maintain the water level within the
boiler. As distillate collects in the condenser, convenient lengths for carrying may be cut off and
tied for transport or storage.
The unit produces 1/2 gallon of distilled water per hour and weighs 11/2 pounds.
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Jungle Canopy Platform
The jungle has always been an asset to the native guerrillas since they are familar with it and it
impairs our modern mobility. After much thought on how to overcome this advantage, it was
decided that since the jungle could not be gotten rid of, the only thing to do was to make it work
for us.
The Laboratory devised a canopy platform system consisting of two steel nets, 200 feet long and
20 feet wide, which are laid, by helicopter, across the tops of the trees in the form of a cross and
an 18 foot hexagonal platform which is placed on the intersection of the nets. The nets can be
laid on the canopy in five minutes ready for troops to off-load from a helicopter.
The platform, which can be put in place in another 5 to 10 minutes, contains an integral power
hoist that is used to lower supplies and equipment to the jungle floor and raise casualties to the
platform for quick evacuation. The platform can also be used for an observation post or a radio
relay station.
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 .0" q~- ~- p';w
71~ 18~jpw, ig 1*
ME , t~
w""'n"A
A WO OMM
pf~ "PRIM",
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Smoke Screen Troop Landing
The smoke screen troop landing system was developed for the purpose of concealing heliborne
troops being landed in areas occupied by the enemy.
The system consists of two XM3 2.75" rocket launchers fitted with an easily mounted adaptor
which permits the controlled release of a total of 288 standard AN-M8 smoke grenades. The
adaptor is a ;/s" thick aluminum plate with holes to match each launcher tube and is attached
to the launcher by four clamp fittings. A trip gate, opened by a solenoid actuated release mech-
anism, is mounted on the plate across the ejection end of each tube.
An intervalometer control box in the pilot's compartment regulates the release of the grenades
for various aircraft speeds. At an altitude of 200 to 300 feet and a speed of 50 to 90 knots, the
system will lay a smoke screen more than 3000 feet long.
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HF Radio for Jungle Use
The AN/PRC-64 is a lightweight HF radio, designed to provide communications for long range
infantry patrols engaged in jungle warfare or counterinsurgency operations.
It gives the best results while operating to a high power base station. The radio weighs only 101/2
pounds which includes a 21/2 pound spare battery, a carrying case and other accessories. The radio
communicates by voice and CW with reliable ranges of 150 miles voice and 300 miles CW. How-
ever, as with any HF radio vertical incident sky wave does not always provide good communica-
tions at short ranges. It has four crystal controlled channels in the 2.2 to 6 megacycle frequency
range. Other desirable characteristics include burst transmission, whisper voice, a battery condi-
tion indicator and just recently a narrow bandwidth receiver addition has resulted in a decided
improvement in the radio. The transmitter power output for the PRC-64 is 1.5 watts on AM
voice and 5 watts on CW. A miniature microphone and two earphones are supplied with each set.
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Other Items Developed During the Past Two rears
Grenade Dispenser
A device for dispensing standard M26 grenades from
the H-21 helicopter to supress small arms ground
fire.
M113 Searchlight
A searchlight adapted to the M113 armored person-
nel carrier to give it a night time illumination capa-
bility.
Mobility Augmentation of M113
The M113 cannot climb the steep banks of canals and
rice paddies. A sea anchor was substituted for the
earth auger and deadman which were previously
being used with the capstan and cable system. The
anchor sinks itself into the ground and reduces the
time for getting an M113 out of a canal from about
1 hour to about 5 minutes.
Shotshell Adaptor
An adaptor for the M79 grenade launcher which
allows shotgun shells to be fired thereby giving the
M79 a close-in kill capability.
Individual Aid & Survival Kit
Compact, lightweight survival kit for hot-wet en-
vironment.
Balloon-Borne Communication System
A balloon raises the radio antenna above the terrain
to increase the normal 2 to 3 mile range of the PRC-
10 radio to a minimum distance of 30 miles over
adverse terrain and foliage.
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Load Carrier
The load carrier is a man-propelled, one wheel cart
operated by two men. It is designed to traverse
adverse terrain such as swamps, rice paddies, heavy
IAv & Wff ~ 0 ~ abls It has a 250-lb
pay oa capaci y.
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Fuel Transfer Unit
A lightweight system consisting of a pump and a 3/4,
HP gasoline engine was developed to rapidly trans-
fer fuel from 55 gallon drums to aircraft.
Utility Shelter
A lightweight, air transportable, easily erected shel-
ter designed to provide protection from heat, rain
and insects for personnel performing duties in the
shelter.
Aircraft Released Smoke Marker
A long burning smoke marker for marking targets
of opportunity, drop zones and landing zones.
Leech Repellent
An effective leech repellent that withstands wash-off,
from clothes or skin, for periods up to twelve hours.
Free-Drop Water Container
A three gallon water container made of eight ply
plastic tubing which can be free-dropped from air-
craft at 500 feet for supplying troops with drinking
water.
Scout Armor Kit
An armor kit for the International Harvester Model
80 Scout Vehicle that can be installed in the field.
Packet Subsistence, Long Range Patrol
A lightweight food packet (10 oz.) which needs only
a canteen cup of hot water and 20 minutes (30 min-
utes for cold water) to prepare a 1,000 calorie meal.
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