MULTIPLE IMAGE CORRELATOR (MIC)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A003100030101-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 18, 2002
• Sequence Number: 101
• Publication Date: July 3, 1963
• Content Type: MEMO

For Release 2003/02/27 :CIA-RDP78B04747A003100~171n111~ITL
July 3, 1963
STATINTL
Personal Memo to:
(one copy only produced)
Subject: Multiple Image Correlator (M IC)
Historical
The correlator was built as the result of a contract awarded in March 1960. The contract
called for building a model to demonstrate the feasibility of multiple image correlation.
The contract was finally completed in March 1962.
STATINTL
The machine remained a after acceptance checkout pending a decision to award
an evaluation contract. ~roposal to evaluate was made in September 1962 and the
contract was awarded in February 1963. The original proposal was for May 1963 comple-
tion, but due to the delay in awarding the contract, extension of delivery was made to
July 1963.
Total time from first starting to build the correlator until delivery in July 1963 is three
years. This has included building time, a waiting period of approximately one year,
and evaluation time.
The correlator does what it was originally proposed it should do -- it demonstrates the
feasibility of the technique by means of a fairly complex machine. For production work
of any type the machine lacks the following essential features:
1) Scale change accommodation between each of the 8 stages
2) Electronic alignment visual presentation equipment. The circuitry has to be
linked to visual presentation equipment by means of a number of external leads. This
circuitry is experimental and certainly not adequate for production work.
3) Good operator convenience, i .e., position of XY6 con"~~in the stages, fi Im
chips instead of rol I fi Im capability, etc .
These three factors alone make it difficult to operate outside a laboratory without experi-
enced (experienced on this machine) operators.
The value and advantages of this machine can be adequately demonstrated to potential users
by means of the material it produced, i.e, correlated photography. The evaluation program
will detail many factors and will include demonstratable material.
STATINTL
As a company,0 is vitally interested in furthering the state of the art related to this
technique. This encompasses both the actual correlation and the collection of material
(air and ground). We want to adequately sell our ability to ui d functional production
correlators. You have an intangible investment in0in the form of 3 years of engineering
experience.
STATINTL
Declass Review by NIMA/DOD
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M IC 3 Ju ly 1963 Page 2
him in his ground collection work.
We have an excellent technical argument to present to collection (air) people on Monday,
July 13, in Washington, D.C., saying wh we can expand the technique to operational
aerial collection. We have talked with and can show we can materially aid
STATINTL
1) We can now build a really functional production machine and-this is what we
would like to finally deliver to you.
2) If this technique still has to k~e sold we can do it better with this machine in
-.~ our laboratory. We have tTie experienced people here who can operate the machine,
produce the correlated material and present it. We already have a great deal of material
to demonstrate the technique and its value to intelligence photography.
3) The machine can go to your laboratory and be operated, but remembering it
is a feasibility model, would probably require a great deal of experimental use by you
before its full potential can be demonstrated. Without adequate operation it could
STATINTL reflect back on Runless every time it is used the fact is stressed that this never was
intended to be a production machine. Please understand I am not underrating your
ability to operate the correlator but unski Iled operation of the machine can occur in
your absence.
Operation of the correlator wi II require good troubleshooting knowledge of the electronic
circuits, which will only come with e;ctensive use. If you take the machine on July 21,
I am sure you would not be ready to irdvite people in and do work for them for several
weeks .
There are these alternatives:
1) Keep the machine here, let us work it and produce presentation material pending
further decisions in the collection ends of the business which will relate to building the
production machine. This will further the state of the art, give you talking material and
keep my team of correlation engineers together. "this latter is important, I think., both to
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the community and to
STAT
2) Award a change in scope to build the visual presentation equipment into the
machine. This, I think, would be wasteful if a roduction version is to be bui t. A
change of scope would add for a modest sum to your present investment of
approximately 0 With no scale change capa i ity the machine wi II sti II be inadequate.
3) Take the machine back to D. C. and invest in a few weeks of our engineers` time
to run it for you with your people in attendance. This may pose a security problem.
STAT
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3 July 1963 Page 3
As I have said before, I still favor #1 as the results sell the technique. You may get sour
results if the inputs cannot be cut to tl~e 1" circle, or if there are scale differences, etc,
From my personal viewpoint, I believe in this technique; I know it can be of value to the
community, but I am afraid that it could die for same time unless it is vigorously pursued,
I can do this; you have many other problems to deal with which may intrude on your time.
No one knows better than I that it would be very nice to have a piece of equipment in
your laboratory whicf-Odelivered, However, three years have elapsed since the
programs started, We? ve learned a grE:at deal in that time, and we're sti I I only on the
threshold of exploiting the technique. With this in mind, and with a feasibility model
in hand, we can build and deliver a really fine production machine. This will be a STATINTL
worthwhile piece of equipment, and being selfish, will really demonstrate 0 capa-
bility to build good equipment, I have yet to convince your organiz ~ is so STATINTL
and in a production correlator I know I can do i ith today
(he called me), and he tells me he has talked to hopes to a in
with some of his material to correlate an July 1 ,
STATINTL
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STATINTL
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