From this meeting Mr. Oberg proceeded to the Hastings Instrument
Corporation near Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, to study the possible use of the Raydist navigational system.
Hastings claimed that Ray-
dist was the most accurate device known for such purposes, being capable
of determining aircraft positions within 25 feet.
provide all the equipment needed.
Hastings could also
During Raydist surveys in the Bahama
Missile Range, the instrument performed accuracies of one part in 38,000,
to no measurable error, at distances of 30 to 75 miles.
Other results
obtained from tracking aircraft at supersonic speeds indicated velocity
accuracies within one percent and instantaneous position within 50 feet.
Raydist competitive marks revealed:
é
Raydist average error of fix ...«..e.-.e-s+.
6 feet
Loran average error of fix . « + 0 6 « « « «© » 750 Leet
SHORAN average error of fix ......+.++.
2 3/4 miles
Following his study of the Air Task Group requirements, Mr. Oberg
recommended the use of Type N Raydist as being most able to cope with
after-the-fact instantaneous positioning of two aircraft.
Hastings
stated that they could meet ow required 1 February deadline in the
Forward Area, provided airlift was furnished.
This equipment, includ-
ing pre-overseas instrumentation and operating crews, could be leased
to the Air Task Group for between $175,000 and $225,000.
With the ex-
ception of development engineering for the B-47 antenna, the equipment
was ready for operation.
Staff members of the Air Task Group agreed that Raydist was superior
equipment, but that SHORAN was considerably less expensive.
On 23 Noven—
ber the Directorate of Weapons Effects Tests of the Armed Forces Special
35—