PROTOTYPE, Q-445 SEAT PACK (ECP-266)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89B00739R000400160005-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 7, 2006
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: September 26, 1966
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2006/08/10: CIA-RDP89B00739R000400160005-7
SECRET
IDEALIST
IDEA-3351-66
Copy .?of
26 September 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy for Materiel, Special Activities
SUBJECT Prototype, Q-445 beat Pack (ECP-266)
REFERENCE (1) Memorandum froze DIM/USA dated
25 August 1966; Subject: Same
As Above (IDEA-3300-66).
(2) Memorandum from C/IDEA/OSA dated
8 September 1966; Subject: Same
As Above, (IDEA-3246-66).
1. I realize this memo is somewhat late but that is
only because it has taken this long to get all the infor-
mation requires: for a reply. For the record, there are
several aspects of the LAC ECP-266 and reference #2 that
shoulc be clarified as follows:
a. The LAC ECP-266 was poorly written in that
it stressed only that improvements in testing and
maintenance would be realized, which in fact had
little to do with the inal desires of the Life
Support Section at and my predecessor. LAC
seems reluctant to ca a spade a spade in this
E(P in that the customer number 2 pack-to-ship
disconnect was requested to replace a poorly
designed and fabricated item that presently con-
stitutes a danger to flight safety, while LAC
indicated this item would only improve mainten-
ance and testing. In every ejection made since
the Q-445 seat kit was put into service this part
has fai.leo.
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b. The man-to-pack cisconnect redesign was
not requested primarily to preclude oxygen flow
after separation of the two halves as indicated
in the LAC ECP. This was a minor consideration
only. The primary reason for the redesign was to
again replace a poorly designed and fabricated
item with an improved item that would preclude
an inadvertant disconnect; something which can
easily occur with the present system.
c. Reworking and redesigning the oxygen
system was requested for the purpose of increasing
the volume of the seat kit available for packing
of survival items. The present oxygen system
design is very inefficient in this respect.
d. In reference to paragraph 1. of reference
#2, I can only say that 20-20 foresight is a desireable
attribute seldom realized. The Q-445 kit replaced
a system that was totally inadequate and the weak
points of the Q-445 could only be ascertained with
time an" use.
2. I must agree in essence with paragraph 3 of
reference #2, however with respect to the disconnects
described above, flying safety has been jeopardized
and accidents and/or incidents have only been avoided
by a combination of extreMply cient and capable
Life Support Personnel at nd a great deal of
good luck.
3. I do not concur with the LAC proposal because
of the high cost, long lead time and, in view of the U--2R,
because many of the proposed items are not absolute
requirements. However, immediate action should be taken
to replace the disconnects of the present kit with more
reliable and safer items.
ASD/R&D/OSA
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IDEALIST
ASD/R&D/OSAI gp (26 September 1966)
Distributio .
Cy I - D/M/OSA
2 - D/R&D/OSA
3 - ASD/R&D/OSA
4 - IDEA/OSA
5 - chrono
6 - RB/OSA
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