MKUltra Subproject 54

Subproject 54 was a plan to study brain concussion. At the hearing it was linked to a striking phrase, "perfect concussion." Senator Schweiker described the goal as causing concussions and amnesia by hitting people with weapons or sound waves. The aim was to do this without warning and without leaving clear marks on the body.

The written proposal in the record is detailed. It was built on a "resonance-cavitation" theory of how the brain is hurt. The work set up a lab and a blast range, and arranged to use human cadavers for tests. The proposal listed possible striking devices, such as a pancake-type blackjack, hidden spring-loaded devices, a projectile, and an explosive pad set off against the head or body. It also explored using a blast wave in the air, or tuned sound waves aimed at a person from a distance using sound lenses and reflectors. The stated idea was that a concussion caused this way would leave the victim unable to recall what happened, so the method could be used again and again without being noticed.

The agency's account of funding was confused. Admiral Turner first said Subproject 54 was canceled, never carried out, and never funded by the CIA under MKULTRA. A CIA officer, Mr. Laubinger, later corrected the record. He said the MKULTRA proposal itself was never funded, but it was based on a year of earlier work. That earlier work was paid for through a Navy funding channel that acted as a conduit for the CIA. So while no money flowed under the MKULTRA number, the underlying brain concussion research had received agency money.