PROGRESS REPORT: WORKING GROUP ON REMOTE SYSTEMS INPUT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01139A000200110027-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: July 13, 2005
• Sequence Number: 27
• Publication Date: September 19, 1962
• Content Type: REPORT

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S-E-C-R-E-T
CornB -D-85`4
19 September 1962
Limited Distribution
UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE BOARD
s'o r ~~ Yte~Crrt: orr coup oar i3emote S~r?~tem ft s
Attached progreaa report is distributed for information Status of funding
for R&D on a secure typewriter, under Nay's executive direction, will be
a agenda Item for the 4 October CODID meeting0
F
Secretary
GROUP I
Excluded from automatic
-E-C-R-E-T downgrading and
declassification
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23 August 1962
Mt;MORANDUM FOR : Chairman, USIB Committee on Documentation
SUBJECT Working Group on Remote Systems Input -- Progress
Report
Reference ICI letter to Secretary of Defense, 29 July 1961,
:>ubject: USID Equipment Requirements for Remote
Systems Input Device
1. Since the formulation of intelligence community needs for a
remote systems input device culminating in reference, the Working Group
ha.t..s made technical modifications to these requirements in light of
further exi?lorn.1 i.on and requests for clarification from the DOD executive
agency (B . se L pr~ .
Lt summary, the Working Group has determined:
7L. That the requirement to carry upper and lower case letters
of the alth abet from typing through standard telecommunications systems
to computer storage and printout should be dropped as uneconomical.
U. That a manual, "input only" typewriter be developed in
pay"ailel with an electric "input-output" device in view of the technical
le~_L:i.bility of such an approach combined with attractive security and
cost posc-i1)Llities.
c. That the device developed should be inherently adaptable
to the 5 ()1- 8 level coding requirements of each agency, but that the
5 and 8 level code structures used be standard with allowable variations
of special characters within each standard.
;. The background details concerning these developments have been
made available to the responsible officers in BuShips, and to the CODIB
Secretary.
i+. DOD has now received an outline of the Navy's proposed approach
and. request for funding (copy attached). As you know, positive manpower
savings and communications improvements are being deferred pending the
development of an acceptable device, and the basic problems which gave
* ~ ~ ' iron auta'n tip ~
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rise to the USD3 requirements remain unsolved. Furthermore, the USIB has
recently endorsed a policy (USIB-D 39.5/111, 25 June 1962) urging member
agencies to begin generating a machine language data base promptly, using
special -typewriters or keypunche~c, in anticipation of mechanization. I
recommend, therefore, that DOD be requested to give a status report at the
next CODIB meeting so that measures can be taken to accelerate the program
if such action is indicated.
Chaff
Memo fr Asst. Secy of Navy, R&D to DD-HE, dtd
1.0 Aug f_>2, subj: Machine Language Producing
`Cy;?ewriters for Overseas Installations
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THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF. THE NAVY
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON
t
SECRET
Ser 002032
AUG
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF DEFENSE RESEARCH AND
ENGINEERING
Subj: .Machine Langu e Producing Typewriters for Overseas
Installations (U)
Ref: (a) DD-RE Secret memo of 16 Feb 1962
Reference (a) appointed the Secretary of the Navy
executive agent and authorized him to proceed with the
development of an acceptable standardized Machine Language
Producing Typewriter.
The United States Intelligence Board has determined
that a capability of utilizing either 5-level Baudot and
8-level American Standard Code for Information Exchange should
be provided but that the requirement for direct built-in
conversion capability from one to the other should be abandoned
as excessively costly.
Two possible approaches appear feasible. The first
utilizes an electric typewriter capable of producing machine
processable tapes as a by-product of keyboard operation. It
would be engineered to include a basic typewriter and machine
language producing and reading modules. Agencies employing
5-level Baudot code would use one set of modules; those
employing 8-level American Standard Code, another. Conversion
from one code to the other would be accomplished by purchase
of the alternative modular set and physical substitution of
one for the other. The estimated production cost is .j,4,000
each in quantities of 1,000. The second approach would employ
a standard mechanical typewriter and would provide only tape
output. This unit would be relatively inexpensive and have
few maintenance problems. There have been indications,
however, that this machine is not sufficiently versatilQ to
meet the requirements of some agencies. Estimated product.idn
costs are $1,000 per unit in lots of 1,000.
ASN (R&D) Cont.
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In view of the importance of a solution to the problem,
it Is proposed to pursue both approaches. Should both units
prove acceptable, it appear:; that there will be customers for
each. The Bureau of Ships has held exploratory discussions
with several potential contractors and has indicated that
development could be completed by late 1964 or 1965, with
production'in late 1965 or 1966.
Eotimates at this time are that the development program
will cot about $2,000,000 of which $150,000 represents the
cost of the mechanical typewriter development. In view of the
interdepartmental nature of the potential users of this
development, it is recommended that the full development be
funded from Department of Defense Emergency Funds. The
Technical Development Plan is being initiated and is expected
to be ready for DD-RE review and approval prior'to the end of
the year.. The Navy will consult with the United States
Communications Security Board in the preparation of the TDP.
Copy to:
USINTBD
JAMES H. WAKELIN, JR.
PATA. 110, .- 41
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U SCOMMSECBD
CIA
Department of State
Secretary of the Army
Secretary of the Air Force
KAI