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To: W. H. Edwards Date: 26 September 1966 

Subject: LMSC Offer to Sell Military From: S. M. Tennant 

Mission Simulation System 

1. The subject offer has been reviewed by this office. In assessing the 

desirability of such a purchase on the part of USAF, several factors 

have been considered. Among these are: 

a) What could be accomplished with this equipment if it were available 

within the AFSSD complex? 

b) Would all of the equipment offered be needed? 

c) What about the implications of having this equipment at the 

complex? 

d) What about the costs LMSC has quoted? 

e) How closely will the GE mission simulator parallel this equipment? 

Subsequent paragraphs will discuss these factors in more depth. In 

summary, however, it is our opinion that there is little basis for justification of the purchase by the government of the LMSC offered equipments. 

2. There are several areas of MOL/Dorian interest which could involve 

simulation activities within the capabilities of the subject equipment. 

Among these are evaluations of astronaut capabilities for active target 

indicator detection, scanning of limited areas for target detection, 

landmark sighting for navigation, and evaluation of breadboard or 

prototype V/H sensor devices. The extent of in-house simulation 

activities pertaining to these and other areas of program interest, 

especially when considered in relation to current and contemplated 

in-house and contractor simulation activities, would be relatively 

minimal; thus, it is doubtful that these equipments could be kept busy 

with a reasonable duty cycle. 

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3. Even if a capability for more extensive simulation activity within the 

complex were desired, purchase of all of the equipments offered by 

LMSC would not be advised. While the simulator table and servocontrol console could be utilized, the bulk of the remaining equipments 

is associated with a TV simulation capability. Recent program activities 

have indicated the desirability of direct optical viewing for the astronauts, 

and thus the TV capability is no longer useful. 

4. The purchase of the LMSC equipments, even if only the table and servocontrol console, implies several additional and continuing expenditures. 

A direct optics capability would have to be added, with its associated 

cockpit equipments, test conductor console, scene contrast control, 

etc. If the analog computer were not purchased from LMSC, one woulc1 

have to be made available locally. Also, there would probably be a 

continuing need for technicians to maintain the simulator, to alter its 

configuration for various runs which may be contemplated, an._ to fabricate those new components which would surely be required. Such larger 

and continuing expenditures seem incompatible with the anticipated duty 

cycle. Furthermore, while the relatively minimal simulation efforts 

conducted in-house to provide initial data on critical problem areas 

have proved most valuable, simulations of the scope and magnitude whici_ 

could be accomplished on the subject equipment are probably more appropriately an industry function. 

5. The costs quoted by LMSC in their offer have been subjected to only 

cursory review, and no detailed comments are made. However. LMSC's 

basis for the costs appears to be their original development costs r: _cl 

reflects no depreciation on the equipment nor the uses to which LMSC 

has already put this equipment. Considering this and the current market 

value, it would appear unreasonable for the government to agree to the 

LMSC suggested figures even if a purchase were contemplated. 

6. Discussions have been held with Mr. D. McGhee relative to the capabilities of the GE development simulator soon to be available. This 

simulator, incorporating two eyepieces (each having separate 70mrn 

motion picture stimulus material), is being configured with respect to 

the present baseline concept of initial acquisition with the scope and 

subsequent tracking through the main optics. Its configuration could 

be modified, however, to incorporate target indicator detection static 

simulations, as well as a limited amount of scan simulation, and of 

course would have to become part of the baseline program. With more 

extensive modifications, a capability for V/H sensor evaluation rright 

be imparted to this simulation equipment; if not, the LMSC simulation 

equipment may be of interest to MOL contractors, and it is suggested 

that this proposal be forwarded to them for evaluation. In any case, 
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the acquisition c:quipment by ..he Air Force would provide little, if any, increase in overall program simulation capability. 

7. In summary, the substantial capital and operating expenditures associated with the purchase of the LMSC equipment do not appear jusl.*fiable 

on the basis of the foreseeable amount of in-house simulation work 

or the added simulation capabilities the equipment would provide. As 

the program progresses, the contractors will be developing new simulators which will tend to reduce the need for an in-house capability. 

Based on these and other factors, it is recommended that the LMSC 

equipment not be purchased. 

SMT:ov 

cc: B. P. Leonard/W. F. Sampson 

S. S. Strong/G. D. McGhee