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MEMORANDUM FOR:

: Recommendations Conccrning SUBIECT |Program

1. Paragraph 7 of this mcmorandum contcins two rccommerdations submitted for your approval,

program hss been concerned wkh the 2. The
development of techniques for the remote guidance of animais Such
carrying payloads of interest
payloads might include arrentod hv elecirical stimula
tion of pleasure, punishment or motor centers in the brain 1 The program hes been
through,
in existence for about five years and has involved the expenditure
of about 1

In view of a rather complex past, a resume of the history 3. and associates denonof t:is effort is in order. 1957. Mr. strzied a guided rat shis work through i

In July, 1958 a contract was arranged from jtnrougn to suppor: further work in this area.
the
Tis program was terminated at the insistence of thein March,
1959. Prior to that time wire-guided rats (i.e., stimulating clectri
cal current carried to electrodes by wires), which could run obsiacle
courses, and a guiced donkey was,achieved. Films of these animals Icontinued the program at a scrics
in action are on file
of contractor facilities on the west coast from May, -1959 to June, 1962.
By the latter date, self-stimulating dogs and cats had been preparcd. 1

took over the program lin August 1961.

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4. Since June, 1962, efferts have been concenwraied or. an attempt to develop a system. consis:ing of e wireiess guiied rat with a self-contcined Ipayload. Guicance in this case is under the direction of a stationary operator, keace the system is limited to line oi sight range. Basic and pcripheral rescarch have beca minimized duringihis phase. Rats were chosen for emphasis over oiher possible carriers since most research had been performed on those animals, supply and mainterarce wcre easy and inexpensive, and the system would hopeiully provide |capability.

5. The present status of the rat systcm was demonstratcd on 12 June 1963 to representatives The maximum range achieved,, was obviously inadequate. Aithough this range could readily be increased by the use of an external, detachable payload, subsequent discussion among the representatives present indicated that the system possessed inherent disadvantages which would mitigate against its use, even if improved. For example, the line of sight limitation of the guidance system makes successful placément 1

difficult, if not impossible.

6. The use of guided animals

\is still a potentiaily attractive concept. Applications 1are rcadily

Eppaent. The use of would introduce another degree of freedom with oovious advantagesbut equaliy obvious jcomplexities. Large indigenous animals, such as
bears, yaks, etc. are capable of carrying heavy payioads over
great distances under adverse climatic conditicns and could be
guided by Large 1
animals have other distinct advantages. Traincd, as opposed to
gulded, animals might also be considered. However, it appears
the development of such systems wouid be arduous and expensive.
Certain basic research is obviously prerecuisite. Further 一
efort on such systems would detract from its principal mission and tax already limited man-

power ard resources.

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7. For the apove reasons, I recommend an orderly termi
nation of the program. This woule involve the pre
paration of a dctailed final rcport summarizing the prcscnt state of
the art. Recent-discussions between represeniatives of jand the iindicate that there is sufficient iicrest 1

ito warrant some continuing elfort, prticularly in thc areas of more basic and fundamcntal research rcgarding the phenomenon of brain: stirulation as a mcthod of arimal guidance as well es in animal training to achieve similar goals. It is thercfore rccommeried that the ,take whaievcr stcps are necessary to begin a program in basic research related to animal guidance and training and thatbe kept informed of future progress in the field.

(sigced)

The recommendations ccntained in paragraph 7 are approved:

Date 8 July 1953

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