Doc 0000173689

.. • ( ... . .. . 7 September 1971 NEr-IOru\NDlll-1 FOR THE RECORD SUBJECT: Trip Report -· ···-----~---···\ Personnel Incapacitation Contract Status 1. This contract was scheduled to terminate 31 October 1971. Hol.7ever, as of 31 July only 25% of the funds had been expended as compared with a projected 75% expenditure. The Project Officer had been made a\vare of this situation as it was a consequence of assigned personnel being engaged in the completion of other high priority Agency tasks. In as much as the Division had no funds for extending the project or initiating follow-on tasks, it did not seem appropriate to insist that the contractor maintain his planned schedule. A no cost extension until 30 April 1972 has been requested and approved. 2. The essential purpose of tpc visit was to str'ucture definitive plans for continuation of the project. The principal investigator and his collegues had outlined several alternative approaches for discussion with the Project Officer. These included, but \17ere not limited to: a. Extensive library search along l-1ith consultant assistance to provide an extensive annotated bibliography in the area of personnel incapacitation. - b. Establishment of Consultant lvorkshops and Ad Hoc Com mittees to evaluate present and hopefully generate ne\-1 concepts of personnel incapacitation. c. On the basis of available information, to structure psychological and physiological continua of incapacitation from alertness to death. The concept is similar to that of the anesthesiologi~t's "planes of consciousrtess.11 d. A detailed study of a single family of incapacitation methods, i.e., Impact, Chemical, Sensory Overload, etc. - •. --- .· ----- ' SUBJECT: Trip Report - -~--~---. ·-. ~- ~ Incnpncitation Contract Status Per~onncl 3. On the baois of extended discussions, mutual agreement was reached on the follm-1ing plan of action; minilnum effort (10%) \-1ill be devoted to continuing aquisition and revie\-7 of ne\-7 documents. The contractor \-lill continue to remain .alert to new concepts of personnel incapacitation. To date the only ne\-.7 possibilities not previously considered by others in this area are: ---------7 a. Use of as a tasteless, odorless, incapacitatingJLaS not requiring an antidote or leaving body traces:.. ··· lperson~_!_ arc co::1pletely familiar \-lith the use of J data from submarine and space habitability studies, industrial medicine and other sources. -l lloHever, has not been considered in terms of our personnel incapacitation requirements. Recognizing the necessity for closed space application, the scenarios for which controlled concentrations of-- The provided image is a digitally rendered graphic, not a declassified document page. It features an illustration of a large, circular bank vault door on the left side. The right side displays large, stylized white text that reads "THE BLACK VAULT" against a dark background with a blue glow. Below this title, there is informational text in white, explaining that the document was obtained from "The Black Vault," an online database of declassified government documents related to the MKULTRA/Mind Control Collection. It also mentions that the collection contains over 20,000 pages declassified by the CIA and provides a URL for download. There are no photographs, handwritten annotations, official stamps, forms, diagrams, tables, redactions, or visual evidence of experimental procedures present. The document is a typed memorandum with handwritten annotations. A horizontal line divides the page, with a date "7 September 1971" appearing in the upper right corner. The main body of the text describes a contract's status and the purpose of a visit. In the bottom right corner, there is a handwritten circled number "201". The document appears to be from a formal setting, indicated by the typed memorandum format and official header information. traces:.. ··· lperson~_!_ arc co::1pletely familiar \-lith the use of J data from submarine and space habitability studies, industrial medicine and other sources. -l lloHever, has not been considered in terms of our personnel incapacitation requirements. Recognizing the necessity for closed space application, the scenarios for which controlled concentrations of-- \would be applicable are quite limited. b. The second "new" concept, in terms of utilization for temporary personnel incapacitation, is the use of ·1 as a vehicle for transmission of incapacitating chemical agents through the skin. The contractor is completely_ a\·mre of previous I unclassified research in this area .. In fact, is doing other \-lark for the Agency in the area of toxicology, for \·1hich I do not have a -"need to kn0\-1,11 It is quite possible that certain of the contractor personnel are a\-7are of previous classified research in the area. . '. assigned to this project, has worked extensi.:rely with. ... _\ and should have the background to rapidly determine it's applicability for our requirements. 4. It was mutually agreed that if a first appraisal of these t\.;ro concepts indicates loH probability of success, work would be f discontinued regarding Perhaps, in the course of con- tinuing effort under this contract they \vill generate other pos sibilities. Parenthetically, one of the reasons for letting the initial contract \-lith the _ _ . l•·1as the hope that an organization \-lith a medical orientation, looking at the problem from the man to the agent rather than from the agent or hard\vare to the man, could generate concepts not previously considered. J However, as indicated in the previous trip report dated 18 Nay 1971) "both they and the Project Officer are -a,~are that a gamble on net-1 ideas is a high risk investment." -2- _ _j ---------------------- ( 1 r ----------- SUDJECT: Trip Report - Personnel Incapncitation Contract Status 5. The third and perhaps most significant area of effort, assuming the contractor does not generate a major breakthrou:;h \-lith a ne\·1 concept, is a systems analysis of potential incapacitation ntcthods. The contractor \·Jill conduct a systems analysis of energy sources, i.e., impact, light, sound, electric current, chemical and others in terms of physical aspects of the agent, delivery system, physiological ~nd medical considerations, applications and limitations,· and recommendations. Emphasis \.Jill be placed upon the physiological and medical aspects as opposed to delivery systems and operational factors. A plan for a i.e., impact, light, sound, electric current, chemical and others in terms of physical aspects of the agent, delivery system, physiological ~nd medical considerations, applications and limitations,· and recommendations. Emphasis \.Jill be placed upon the physiological and medical aspects as opposed to delivery systems and operational factors. A plan for a systems analysis of visual I incapacitation \vas generated by this office and for l-lhich -------- --·1 have S!.lbmitted a l·Jritten requirement to iritplement. (Attachment I). The contractor will utilize this document as a guideline for his systems analysis effort. 6. In spite of extensive thought and experimentation by com petent authorities, none have defined an efficient non-lethal weapon system. Perhaps, in the course of their \-lark-.·-··---.- .--(will do so. HoHever, if this does not materialize they should still meet the essential requirements of their contract, \·1hich as stated in the Bluebook, "this project will organize available data in a matrix fashion so that at any given time one could determine the specific research parameters necessary to fill in the ·gaps to a provide required systems ••• to provide data bank of information concerning the physiological effect of energy sources as these may be appropriate to the development of long range systems." The . philosophy is identical to that expressed in Attachment I. I feel the contractor will satisfactorily meet the contract require ments within the extended time span. __ _.-- __ .... ~ -3- _ j . . ,. •. ( ATT.i\CH:i\iENT 1 Rationale for Visual Impairment Systems Analysis Most military and civil law enforcement operations are dependent upon normal functioning of the human visual system. This fact applies ~o both military and civil offensive operations as well as protection or countermeasures against the use of light energy by hostile forces. A brief review of light energy utilization to impair personnel efficiency indicates periods of heightened research activity followed by intervals of casual attention. Such accelerated R&P emphasis has occurred in response to battlefield illumination requirements~ · anti-aircraft personnel incapacitation, protection against atomic flash, pulsing light to produce confusion and disorientation, develop ment of and protection against laser weapons, non-injurious systems for crowd and riot control, as well as in response to other aperiodic, urgent situations. In the area of handheld projectile weapons we can specify the field requirements, turn to a data bank of ordnance R&D, and at· ·least obtain a reasonable approximation of system specifications to meet the The image is a declassified typewritten document, likely a report, with a dark border and some background noise. There are no photographs, diagrams, or official stamps. However, there are handwritten annotations in the form of underlines and squiggly lines, likely emphasizing certain points. Additionally, there are several black ink redactions, or obscured rectangular areas, scattered throughout the text, obscuring specific words or phrases. The presence of these redactions suggests that certain information within the document is still classified or deemed sensitive. The image is a scanned document page containing typewritten text. There are no photographs, diagrams, stamps, or handwritten annotations visible. There are some faint, irregular lines drawn within a large rectangular area on the right side of the page, but their purpose or content is unclear from the visual evidence alone. The page is also marked in the lower right corner with the number "-3-", indicating it is the third page of a multi-page document. systems for crowd and riot control, as well as in response to other aperiodic, urgent situations. In the area of handheld projectile weapons we can specify the field requirements, turn to a data bank of ordnance R&D, and at· ·least obtain a reasonable approximation of system specifications to meet the requirements. However, in the case of light energy and the incremental course of visual impairment, w.e do not have such a data bank. As a result, we are i.n a position of "fire fighting" as requirements arise·or as the--consequence of scientific breakthroughs, i.e., atomic energy, laser beams, retro-reflective optics, etc. The composition of the requirement is based upon a set of scenarios, each of which may have unique parameters, and dictates the type of approach which may be most feasible. For instance, typical field situations or scenarios for·which light energy has been suggested as a means for personnel control are: non-lethal capture of military personnel or civil arrest of an individual; dazzling to permit automobile escape of potential kidnap victim; to thwart aircraft and truck highjacking; crowd .and riot control; and, from the military point of view, the utilization of light energy to facilitate stopping moving vehicles by incapacitating the driver, neutralizing accurate fire power from a hostile bunker, disabiing anti-aircraft tracking crews~' prevention of barrier penetration to a secure area, and battlencld illumination. Each of these scenarios has been investigated as a unique problem or field requirement without -------~-------- ( a systematic an:1lysis of the similnrities and differences. Often the response to the individual requirement covers the complete cycle from b:tsic resenrch to production. As a result, the process is lengthy. expensive. and frequently repetitive. 1\luch of the inefficiency with existing procedures would be reduced if a systems analysis program was undertaken which would provide a taxonomic base for diverse scenario requirements, approaches. equipment, acceptable risk, etc. For example. the ambient illumination within which incapacitation must be accomplished defines a minimum brightness which must be produced while the anatomical structure of the eye plus the risk of damage which the situation allows define the maximum brightness. The number of personnel involved together with the possible demand for concealment are important in the choice between pyrotechnic devices and optical devices. The wavelength of light emitted and the duration of inter mittancy of exposure can be controlled to produce a variety of effects appropriate to the degree of risk one can personnel involved together with the possible demand for concealment are important in the choice between pyrotechnic devices and optical devices. The wavelength of light emitted and the duration of inter mittancy of exposure can be controlled to produce a variety of effects appropriate to the degree of risk one can assume in the continuum from dazzle to permanent retinal damage. Utilizing the systems approach, it should be possible to create a framework within which· fragmentary advances can be preserved and structured so as to pro vide a basis for initiating responses to specific requirements on a timely basis. .. As a first step an extensive sample of scenario requirements must be analyzed to identify significant parameters and combinations of parameters. This would be followed by a study of the various characteristics of light energy and techniques of uses as they app~y to the scenario parametric classifications. Subsequent development would include consideration of physiological and psychological effects, equipment c;:apabilities, countermeasures, system factors. and other variables which are identified as related to the selection of visual incapacitating approaches for defined requirements. A visual impairment systems analysis as outlined above would not only be of major importance to diverse DOD elements, but would -also provide required data and research guidelines for many specialized Governmental organizations such b.s the LEAA, FBI, CIA, Secret Service and civil law enforcement bodies which should be cognizant of systems for the protection or control of individuals and groups by means of light energy. Such a program would provide a matrix from which efficient and economicrtl R&D programs could be gt"'ncrated (or perhaps~ generated on the basis of the systems an:1lysis information) in terms of the applications and requircm0nts of specific Governmental organizations. .. • VISUAL INCAl'ACITA'fiON SYSTEMS ANALYS rs·:c .. ·, I II ·III IV v VI ?otcnti~l Ap~lications Light Energy Visual Sys tem~'n'< Other System Equipment Rcc~~·•c:l~d;:,. tic qf Lizht Enargy for . Physical Variablcis Variables Factors . State of Art Control Perso~ncl h'avelength Recovery Time User Rislt Pyrotechnic 1\escarch Rcq. Intensity Damage Risk Emplacement Electric Gas Prototype D.:!v Duration Possible. Reliability ·Radiating Body Test Rise Time Temporary Logistics Laser Evaluation Intermittent Pcrnuuncnt Covertness Rc troreflec tion Flash Area Component Affected Size ·.-------------- ··: Visual Angle Lens Filming · Height ~- Cornea Florescence Power Tear Ducts Ccst, etc. Retina Occipital Cortex Disorientation Pain Occulomotor Spasm * This sequence or format for a systems analysis of visual impairment The page is a typewritten document with a textured, slightly yellowed appearance, suggesting it is an older paper copy. It contains a heading "ATTACHMENT 1" and a subheading "Rationale for Visual Impairment Systems Analysis" followed by several paragraphs of text. There are no photographs, handwritten annotations, stamps, or forms visible. The text itself is the primary visual element, detailing a technical analysis concerning light energy and its effects on visual systems. Temporary Logistics Laser Evaluation Intermittent Pcrnuuncnt Covertness Rc troreflec tion Flash Area Component Affected Size ·.-------------- ··: Visual Angle Lens Filming · Height ~- Cornea Florescence Power Tear Ducts Ccst, etc. Retina Occipital Cortex Disorientation Pain Occulomotor Spasm * This sequence or format for a systems analysis of visual impairment is not intended to be or even suggestive of the proper approach. Individuals experienced complet~ in the area of systems analysis and competent in the field of physical and phy:.io logical optics could undoubtedly structure a more appropriate experimental clesign. ** One of the major categories in a complete systems analysi~ should be some sort of a table, chart, or other t• ype of clear presentationI relating physiological visual -~. impairment to performance efficiency. The \-lord "impairment" only has significance in regard to the efficiency with ~1ich a hostile individual(s) can perform a speci ( fied task. Vision may be reduced to 20/400 on the Snellen Chart, but the individual can still shoot a human target at 50 feet. In. other words, somewhere in the systems analysis light energy, physiological impairment and certain classes of task decrement must be related. I The image is a black and white scan of a declassified document page. The document appears to be a typed report discussing analysis of visual impairment systems, referencing optical devices, and countermeasures. There are no photographs, handwritten annotations, stamps, forms, diagrams, tables, or evidence of experimental procedures. The page is mostly text, with a few scattered dots and lines that do not form discernable shapes or figures. There are no visible redactions or obscured content. This document is a typed page from a report. It contains no photographs, handwritten annotations, signatures, or official stamps. The content is organized as a table with six columns, labeled I through VI, and titled "VISUAL INCAPACITATION SYSTEMS ANALYSIS". Each column lists various factors related to light energy, visual variables, and system analysis. Below the table are two footnotes, marked with asterisks, providing further explanation. There are no visible redactions or obscured content. The visual presentation primarily consists of text arranged in headings and lists, suggesting a structured breakdown of information for analysis.