REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF ADVANCED LIGHT TABLE PROTOTYPE CONTRACT WITH (Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A000300010001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 2, 2004
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 17, 1967
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2004/01G/g9 .%I-RDP78B04770A000300010001-8
NPIC/D-81-67
17 April 1967
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Intelligence
SUBJECT: Request for Approval of Advanced Light Table Prototype
Contract for
rom 7 Funding
REFERENCE: Chief, Administrative Staff, O/DDI Memorandum dated
4 February 1964: "Approval of Research and
Development Activities."
1. The Advanced Light Table Prototype project is a 6-month effort
to produce the prototype of an improved light table for general use by
:-Imagery interpreters.
2. The Light Table, which has been in use at
the NPIC for many years, is one of the standard image interpretation
tools, with over 175 of them in use throughout the Center. However,
during recent years, significant shortcomings in this instrument have
come to light. Also, larger scale photography has come into use,
calling for better quality tables, and there have been important related
technological advances, such as improved lighting systems. The major
deficiencies in the present model are unsatisfactory illumination and
an awkward, manual system for winding film.
3. As the first step toward developing a modern light table, two
Improved tables were developed simultaneously by competitive contractors.
The resulting devices were evaluated and the best features of each were
selected for inclusion in this advanced prototype. The table developed
was generally superior, and the
proposed prototype will essentially be a simpler, smaller, lighter, and
less expensive refinement of that model. Among the features selected
from the competitive design is the excellent illumination
system. Because of their performance in the development of their first
improved table,,l was selected as contractor for the
advanced prototype. Three months will be required for design, and three
additional months will be spent on fabrication. The delivered
prototype will then be tested and evaluated, and a decision will be made
whether to seek further improvement or to begin production of the
new table.
SECRET
Declass Review by
N GA.
Excluded from auromaiiu
doringrading a;d
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 SECRET
Approved For Release 2004/07/29 : CIA-RDP78BO477OA000300010001-8
SUBJECT: Request for Approval of Advanced Light Table Prototype
Contract with 25X1
from FY 1967 Funding
4. NPIC's work on this project has been made known to the
intelligence community through the Committee on Photographic Exploitation
(COPE). Further, informal, coordination was carried out with the
Naval Reconnaissance and Technical Support Center (NRTSC).
5. I recommend that this project be approved at a funding level
or a 6-month development effort by
ARTHUR C. LUNDAHG
Director
National Photographic Interpretation Center
Attachments:
1. Catalog Form
2. Proposal
R. J. SMITH Date
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Distribution:
Original and 1 - NPIC/SS/LB (after approval) with attachments
1 - DDI with att 1
2 - NPIC/ODir with att 1
1 - NPIC/TDS/DS with att 1
SECRET
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BEST COPY
Available
THROUGHOUT
FOLDER
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 25X1
25X1
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Approved FoR FtelPARTATH076: CIA-RDP781304770A00 10k~1 R$ I-P 1967
PRui CT TITLE/CODE NAME 2. SHORT PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A ;vc;nced Light Table A related project covering the refinemer.r, and
Prototype further developml :nt of three advanced ligh,- tabl _ ,.
3. CONTRACTOR NAME 4. LOCATION OF CONTRACTOR
5. CLASS OF CONTRACTOR 6. TYPE OF CONTRACT
Manufacturer
7. FUNDS 8. REOUIS IT1ON 9. BUDGET PROJECT NO.
FY 1966 NP-v-3-02037
10. E i"_VE CON RACT DATE 11. SECURITY CLASS.
FY 1967 (Begin - end) A.A. - Confidential
7
T. - Unclassifiee.
FY 1968 $ None may 1967 - Nov 1967 W. - Uncla.ssifiec..
12. RESPONSIBLE DIRECTORATE/OFFICE/PROJECT OFFICER TELEPHONE EXTENSION
DDI/NPIC/TDS
13. REQUIREMENT/AUTHORITY Existing light tables, the basic instrument for virtually all
image interpretation, are awkward to use, mechanically inefficient, and provide
inadequate illumination. The vast amount.and high quality of present and future
reconnaissance imagery requires the development of an improved table,
14. TYPE OF WORK TO BE DONE
Engineering Development
_.
.
_ _
_ .. .. _:. . - ;: ... -! -... .:.: .
:
15. CATEGORIES OF EFFORT
MAJOR CATEGORY
SUBCATEGORIES
Viewing Systems
Light Sources
16. END ITEM OR SERVICES FROM THIS CONTRACT/IMPROVEMENT OVER CURRENT SYSTEM. EQUIPMENT. ETC.
A prototype model of an advanced film-viewing light table, monthly progress
reports, and operation and maintenance manuals.
17. SUPPORTING OR RELATED CONTRACTS (Agency & Other)/COORDINATION
Two previous NPIC concurrent contracts have produced competitive prototype
models of this advanced light table. Thorough evaluation provides specifications
for an optimized model, incorporating the advantages of each. No equivalent
device exists or is under development elsewhere.
--' 18. DESCRIPTION OF INTELLIGENCE REQUIREMENT AND DETAILED TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (Continue on eddi-
tionel page if required)
e -
An optimized e-
prototype based on the best features of the two experimental
prototypes will be produced. The greatest improvement will be in the film
transport and lighting systems. After further evaluation, the prototype or
an improved version of it will be put into production to replace existing
light tables.
19. APPROVED BY AND DATE
OFFICE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
DDCI
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 ^ UiICLASSI FI ED Appro le OtNE lse 2004/07/29: CIA-?P7MRpp@ltpuAD000100019 SECRET
SUBJECT: (Optional) Request for Approval of Advanced Light Table Prototype Contract
with F-- I from FY 1967 Funding
25
25
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
FROM:
Director, NPIC
EXTENSION
NO.
NPIC/D-81-67
6 N 212
DATE
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
building)
DATE
OFFICER'S
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
RECEIVED
FORWARDED
IN DAIS
to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
Asst. for TD/NPIC
J'
Review
J
trr
Tech. Advisor, NPIC
Review
3.
Exec. Director, NPIC
Review
4.
Deputy Director, NPIC
Review
5.
Director, NPIC
Signature
6. DD/I
7 E 44 Hdqs.
Review & Approval
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
FORM L~O USE PREVIOUS SECRET CONFIDENTIAL INTERNAL UNCLASSIFIED
3-62 v EDITIONS ? ^ ^ USE ONLY ^
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