Development of the NRL ORCON Tactical Missile Simulator

The concluding research under problem number R13-07 (ORCON) (Standing for ORganic CONtrol) by the Naval Research Laboratory will consist of studies under simulated tactical conditions. The background research and development details of the NRL ORCON Tactical Missile Simulator are in the present report together with a brief review of the over-all project. As previously reported, the objective of the project ORCON is the determination of whether or not a pigeon can be advantageously used in guided missile or pilotless aircraft steering. The Navy Department requested review of the work of B.F. Skinner, et. al., at the University of Minnesota during World War 2, in which preliminary tests were made to determine the feasibility of using pigeons to guide bombs to the target. The review disclosed that in restricted situations these birds are able to act as the sensing element in a simulated homing system with a surprising degree of success. Consequently, Naval Research Laboratory Problem No. R13-07 (ORCON) was set up and work is progressing in the investigation of the pigeon's ability to identify and to acquire a specified isolated target (i.e., what are its target motion limitations).