APPENDIX D DETAILED ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85-00988R000400060049-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 26, 1999
• Sequence Number: 49
• Content Type: REQ

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NOMMEMEM
Detailed Advantages
and Disadvantag- es
4-T--
11-12-
ILLEGIB
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Advantages Expected During Transition. The following advantages are those that are
culiar to the transition period. In addition, all of the long-term advantages would be
;, It in an increasing fashion as transition progresses.
There will be an opportunity to establish standards based on preferred metric sizes.
The need to convert to SI units will give industry and government an unprecedented
,-Pportunity to review, correct, and update their documents.
Disadvantages During Transition. During transition the natural problems which evolve
kith change will occur. Many will subside with familiarity with the particular change.
i e following are examples of anticipated problem areas:
The psychological resistance of personnel to change could present a formidable
._bstacle. Few personnel, even engineers and scientists who are well versed in metric
:rifts, have the intuitive understanding or "feel" for metric sizes that they have for inch-
uund sizes. _
Capabilities and readiness will be decreased during the transitional period due to
confusion associated with having to operate systems/ equipments built to either one
measurement system or the other or both. This condition will persist until complete
conversion is effected. Conversions should be scheduled by operating unit, so far as
possible, rather than by availability of component equipments. Where mixed systems are
used, procedures must be developed to minimize error and maintain proficiency.
Exercises and drills in making the operationally required conversions must be made a
part of the personnel readiness training.
A most significant difficulty will be training and indoctrination of personnel. This
:s extremely critical in many areas where incomplete indoctrination can have fatal con-
sequences such as safety in operations. From a "training" point of view, the greatest
disadvantages will occur during the early stages of transition and require the expenditure
of resources (manpower, money, time, and materials) to achieve the same degree of
proficiency in the use of metric weights and measures as is now possessed in the use of
the inch-pound system. At least three broad categories of training can be identified. A
familiarization training program will be presented to all employees through formal
training. The second category will be an intensive formal program involving production
as well as service group personnel, facility and weapon engineers, laboratory technicians,
material personnel and quality assurance personnel. The third will be on-the-job training.
The category of training will be based on individual job requirements.
Personnel working with both metric and customary tools and equipment with different
measurements will contribute to increased errors.
Technical data will be an impact area because of the need to accommodate the metric
system. All manuals, regulations, technical orders, monitors, readouts, meters, maps,
blueprints, plans, plant-in-place records, drawings, and other publications and specifications
*+sll have to be inspected and changes made on an as required basis.
Within the R&D area, decisions to determine when and how to change over new
systems will greatly affect both the cost and time to develop each project. It is anticipated
at a development program that was initiated during the middle transition period, 1974-
1978, will experience difficulties in both the cost and schedule areas. During this period,
":e designer will find it difficult to determine the optimum mix of metric and inch-pound
specifications required to permit procurement of his design at the minimum cost. During
'he period 1977-1982, these factors will no doubt increase in complexity. The increasing
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 number of SI standards will present the designer with a constantly changing basis for hipnts dims. .vne
ILLEGIB designs. He will encounter situations where items specified to an SI standard are not ing equ:,r:.. z.:.
available. These problems will result in many design changes and deviations during thEPion of t::c :~.~.
development. Significant additional design effort is anticipated for redesign of certain could be
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existing parts, components, and subassemblies that would have been suitable for use in p1ace tie
system design in inch-pound system, but are not suitable for use in a metrically designeThe alter:..,?.V&
system. An interface will have to be established and maintained by design personnel arrwr one er ravrd
designers, shops, and suppliers so that the designs developed can be produced by availali
machine tools and from stock materials whose specifications and availability will also beiThere ,.I! k-
undergoing change.
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The transportation of cargo is based on conventional measurements. Palletizat4.. There x.11
containerization, and standard loading systems are all interfaced and must be maintainejrate comr.;c>n i
compatible. Further, the air cargo operation directly interfaces with surface and sea i
systems and compatibility must also be maintained. Widespread adoption of the metric Metrication '
system will require metric orientation guides, guidance, and instructions for use of re quotatiur:x
shipping and transport personnel. The movement of materials is controlled by the volun required s; rL
shape, and weight of the item to be transported. Conversion tables and modified compone::t
measuring equipment (scales, etc.) will be required. Rapid response containerized ily due to gat!
distribution envisions the interaction of containers, materials handling equipment, trans ions. Fur:klt?
portation equipment and documentation. Trends and efforts toward standardization of van+al documer:ta
type containers will require consideration of compatibility with carrier equipment and 4f off-the-steel
distribution methodology. A variety of specialized types of containers are already in
existence. However, conversion of current or future containers to new dimensions to cork The majorit'
ply with a new metric system standard is not considered technically or economically justiU Cost to Ma'n'
at this time. For example, freight van containers are built in the United States to confor
to standards adopted by the USASI (United States of America Standards Institute), with abort to cost, ti;
seventy percent of the member bodies of the ISO (International Standards Organization)
approved During the I
having
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taken to prevent mixing of common hardware and tools. It can be anticipated that there i;:ontrol rada
will be some increase in damage caused by maintenance technicians due to inadvertent tents of the f
mixing of inch and metric parts and tools. In some cases additional shop space will be :rated in oth'
required for maintaining equipment in both systems especially when separate metric and )g fire Conti:
nonmetric operations must be maintained.
u:
to xity of in
juously updat`
Depot maintenance operations will require more time and material during the periods of r
transition period. Field maintenance organizations must solve the problem of transportin roduction
the extra equipment and material which the metrication process will impose. The main- t p
tenance section of an armored cavalry squadron, for example, currently has a prescribedkility is assur
load list (PLL) of 466' line items. When the squadron goes to the field, the maintenance 1
section must carry the PLL plus all of its other equipment and tools in organic transportatl Computer
This transport is already overcrowded and the addition of 25-50% more to the PLL due to jal data systi
dual part stockage and dual tool sets will further compound this problem. if they are
t
if the analog
There will be a need for dual common tools and special precautions will have to be hro data tray
Metalworking equipment (machine tools) for the most part has a long life span.
Some of the items in use today are over 35 years old and still operating. The Defense
Industrial Plant Equipment Center reports that the DOD has 144, 122 machine tools in the
DIPEC inventory which had an original acquisition cost of approximately $2. 4 billion.
Studies indicate that modification of the inventory would cost approximately $115 million.
Gauges, markings, and dials on 95 percent of this equipment are graduated in the inch-
pound system. Inch-pound and metric machine tools are generally capable of producing
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other equi
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;,ponents dimensioned in either system of units provided th?operator has the necessary
,suring equipment. The major exceptions are screw threads, gears, and splines.
:.:,version of the feed mechanisms to enable a machine tool to be used under the metric
-;tern could be achieved in two ways. The first, and usually more expensive method would
to replace the feed screw and nut assemblies of the machine with units having metric
jell. The alternative method would be to replace or add to the inch-pound reading
dicator one engraved in metric units.
There will be an increase in Federal Stock numbers due to dual part stockage.
:stimates for this increase range from a peak of 18% to 50%. Parts interchangeability and
:;ortages of metric material, particularly in the early conversion period, will be a
s oblem. There will be some requirements for more storage space, and perhaps a need
separate common items.
Metrication will, in the early phases, result in considerable confusion when attempting
,o secure quotations for supply, services, and equipment. Additional management effort
sill be required specifically for planning and phasing the production and procurement of
metric components. There will be some increase in acquisition and development time,
Primarily due to gathering metric information, and preparing drawings with metric or dual
timensions. Further, there will be a requirement for dual specifications, a need to update
technical documentation and an increase in the number of engineering changes. The procure-
ment of off-the-shelf bits and pieces poses a peculiar conversion problem.
The majority of the dollar costs previously discussed in the report under Sec IV A. ,
Added Cost to Maintain Constant Mission Capability, will occur during this period. In
addition to cost, time delays will also be encountered in the system acquisition area.
During the transition period, conversion to SI will result in a major increase in
complexity of industrial readiness planning. Industrial readiness planning will have to be
continuously updated as the conversion to SI proceeds. To maintain industrial readiness
during periods of hostilities or other military commitments, plans will have to be developed
so that production capability under the present system will not be lost until adequate
capability is assured under the metric system.
Computer programs for data systems will have tobe revised. For example,
tactical data systems operating as an entity will require simultaneous conversion of all
units if they are to retain their usefulness. Present gun and missile fire control computers
are of the analog type, except for some very recent systems which are digital. Analog
synchro data transmission systems are used with the analog computers. Sensors such as
fire-control radars and optical rangefinders provide analog data readouts. All of these
elements of the fire control systems (computers, transmission systems, and sensors) are
calibrated in other than SI units. There is no simple and inexpensive way to convert
analog fire control systems to SI units.
New equipment will be designed and constructed using SI units of measurement
while other equipments which were designed and constructed using inch-pound units of
measurement are still in service. This means that the DOD will be operating mixed
equipment for an indefinite period. Under these circumstances, the possibility of
maintenance errors will increase through greater exposure to unintentional use of
improper tools, parts, instruments, and calibrations. It will be necessary to train
maintenance personnel in the use of both measurement systems to counteract possible
confusion and a greater possibility of error. Once the change to the metric system of
measurements is accomplished, the international cross servicing and maintenance of
systems will be less susceptible to error.
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 ILLEGFB Installed and support equipment in operational systems may require modifications# Metrics
to maintain system compatibility during the conversion process. L:!,anics, en!
Communications procedures pertaining to weather, navigation, and takeoff/ landing
instructions will have to be revised to accommodate the change.
Observations and weather reports will have to be changed to reflect metric
for ceilings, visibilities, altitudes, and windspeeds.
Long-term Advantages.
s
Saving
The establishment of a worldwide standard of weights and measures will facilitate aversions ar
the interchange of ideas, technology, data, etc. Acceptance of the International System of
Units (SI) will contribute to the establishment of a worldwide standard for measurements. ', Loner m
This will allow elimination of multiple systems of units and will eliminate the necessity fo:
the time-consuming conversion required to transfer from one system of units to another. The co'.
Several of the advantages which will accrue to the DOD are listed below. occur dea'
:isition. Ti
There will be the potential advantage of worldwide compatibility in every phase o
operations.
Commonality of items and systems between U. S. and foreign nations will expedite
repairs on inoperative equipment, thus providing possible support in areas where support
at, and shol
There
ntenance,
.:ilitie s .
is now nonexistent. ( Dual (i
maintained
An increased potential for international standardization will result in the necessity
to procure, handle, stock, distribute, operate, and maintain fewer systems/equipments Due to
and thus reduce the expenditure of resources. aerial prod
iivation of
Metrication will make our measurement system more compatible with that of our
Allies worldwide. This will provide for easier and better interface between our weapons
systems and those of our allies. Exchange of information will also be expedited by
simplifying the understanding of all data including design, operations, and training.
Acceptance of the metric units will provide a simplicity not inherent in the inch-
pound system or similar systems of units which do not have a base of 10. It will eliminate
the current hybrid mix of units now used throughout the various technologies. There is
only one definition and one name for each unit (in the inch-pound system, for example,
there are different sized "ounces" and "pounds" depending upon whether Troy weight or
Avoirdupois weight is being utilized); the units in other systems have a mixed relationship
to each other (e.g., inches - feet - yards - rods - miles) but the SI units are related by
factors of 10. As a result, complex conversion factors are not required for calculations.
Calculations will be in the simplest form possible (e.g., no complex conversion factor will
be needed to convert meters to millimeters, which is not the case, for example, in convert
rods to inches and will be performed with ease and less error).
Favorable results from standardization on metric units of measurement can provide
impetus for standardization of hardware.
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The chz
eni is fully
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iViBtrication will re ce the total training time required toach and indoctrinate
;hanics, engineers, and others.
aiding The chance for error in computations will be greatly reduced when the metric
stem is fully implemented. Compatibility will be achieved among range instrumentation,
,ientific measuring devices, and engineering units.
t A general modernization and updating of individual plant equipment, ground equip-
:.ent, and shop nand tools can be expected upon converting to the metric system.
Savings will be realized in automatic data processing time as a result of fewer
ilitate t,.wersions and simpler programming.
stem of
cnents. Long-term Disadvantages.
ssity for
ether. The completion of metrication will leave some long-term disadvantages. Those that
ill occur deal with long life items which will remain in inventory well after the programmed
transition. These include:
There will be difficulty experienced in retaining material and manpower for the
maintenance, modification or activation of existing long-life systems, equipments and
expedite facilities.
support
i Dual (inch-pound and metric) ranges of material and support equipment will have to
be maintained in inventory in varying quantities for a period approaching thirty years.
necessity
pments Due to smaller production runs, there will be an increasingly greater cost of
;material produced under the inch-pound system for the maintenance, modification or
activation of systems, equipments and facilities.
.t of our
weapons There will be a continuing need for the training of personnel in the use of inch-pound
by systems.
ng.
I There could be a forced obsolescence of productive, useful and otherwise satisfactory
ie inch- material.
1 eliminate!
'here is There could be a loss of skilled manpower due to the inability to train existing
ample, !killed technicians to an equal degree of proficiency in the use of the metric system.
eight or
alationship Prepositioned equipment may need conversion before being activated.
Slated by
iculations.
r factor will-
in convey:
t can provide;
Idwide
)cal purchase".
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 functions of the U.S. Coast Guard with respect to shipbuilding (verification
of compliance with safety and other standards), and the area of automobile
safety. In the latter case the influx of metric-dimensioned foreign vehicles
and components is requiring special tools for servicing and special blueprints
for safety standards. Slightly over one-third of the 57 agency responses4 in
the "area of national responsibility" part of the Survey expect increasing
measurement-related problems, which, in the absence of a concerted na-
tional metrication effort, will range up to substantial or serious with regard
to their area of responsibility.
Of these 57 agency respondents, 28 see U.S. metrication facilitating the
activities within their areas of responsibility and their interactions therewith,
31 favor increased U.S. metrication (most endorsing a coordinated national
program), and only one opposes any national program.
Thus, the Survey of Federal Government Agencies found substantial ex-
pectation of increasing problems in the Federal Establishment with con-
tinuation of a laissez faire policy toward metrication, and widespread feeling
that a coordinated national effort to increase the use of SI measurement
units and engineering standards in the U.S. is desirable. A broad consensus
of the Federal agencies and responding subunits expect that the long-term
advantages of such a move would clearly outweigh any short-term disad-
vantages, even including the substantial costs that would be involved during
the conversion period.
4 Some agencies were asked.for responses on several "areas of national responsibility" and
some agencies were not asked for responses. Thus, the number of inputs to this part of the sur-
vey does not equate to the overall number of agencies covered.
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