EASTMAN KODAK'S BRIEFING PRINT ENLARGER (BPE) PROTOTYPE AND NPIC BRIEFINGS TO THE COMMUNITY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A001000040078-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 26, 2006
• Sequence Number: 78
• Publication Date: February 21, 1966
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2.008ICY1~6F GTIA-R 1DP78B04770A001000040078-3
DDR Dupe
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Development Branch, P&DS
Prototype and NPIC Briefings to the Community
1. On 16 February 1966,
of each lens) was very well received. Those present included:
2. The briefing (using screen projector and mounted prints of samples
tion received from COPE concerning the project.
model. This briefing had been requested by NRTSC on the basis of informa-
to present a briefing on the BPE "breadboard" and prospective prototype
Naval Reconnaissance Technical Support Center (NRTSC) at Suitland in order
STAT
following were given:
NPIC/PF,DS/D/6-
21 February 1966
Briefing Print Enlarger (BPE)
stated that they had an immediate as well as
future use for the BPE. He requested time and cost factors. The
a. "Breadboard" was completed in January at a cost of
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Pag
b. Prototype model was authorized to be started :n December 1965.
c. Prototype cost would be about
the lens system (about
plus the cost of
NPIC is using the "breadboard" lens
system in the prototype. Time factor: 15 months for prototype.
d. Production models. could be started after the prototype 1.5
completed at prices (ROM) listed in handout (generally about 1/3 the cost
of the prototype.) Time factor: 15 months.
e. Additional lens system development, 60X-16OX, would run
parallel to the prototype development and would be available at a greater
cost--not yet determined. Time factor: about 18 months.
I lexpressed dismay at the time factors. He stated
that NRTSC had scheduled basic requirements for a fluid gate enlarger
such as the BPE for the past three years. He knew that NPIC, as a leader in
the field, had such a development going and NRTSC depended upon a device
being developed and had not, therefore entered the field. Funds had been
scheduled by Navy against such a development under the leadership of CIA.
NRTSC had assumed that our "breadboard" was the prototype, and that
production models were to come forth within about a year. (It appears that
the first production model would be ready, under then schedule, in
30 or 36 months! That would be about June 1968 at the earliest!) In
spite of the costs, NRTSC would happily consider buying a prototype (or
buying part of it!); furthermore, there is the probability that other
agencies would do the same if " would alter their schedule and reduce
the costs.
5. As a result of the visit at NRTSC, I recommend that COPE be the
medium for canvassing the community. to find those agencies interested in
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* This parenthetical statement means, in other words: The agencies
will collectively agree that they would present a unified request for a
total of x-number of BPE's tol -requesting new cost estimates and
time factors. COPE,,as a unifying medium, would ask for, and collect)
answers from the community as to the interest in, and number of BPE
"prototypes" desired.
Aooroved For Release 2006/06/26: CIA-RDP78BO477OA001000040078-3
pressuring" o undertake a program to develop x-number of prototypes in
the near future at a reduced cost and at an optimum scheduled time factor.
It would do no harm to learn the number of agencies desiring the BPE's and
an estimate of the total quality. =should certainly be able to change
costs, expected end-product quality, and time factors if they had firm
offers for their product. The questions could be posed: "Is the need for
the BPE for the immediate future great enough to sacrifice some quality
? and at the same time pay more for the device? Does the community desire
prototypes in FY-1967 or production models in FY-1968-9? How much
responsibility will NPIC take in funding for additional prototype models?
Is COPE the proper medium to inquire into and collect the desires of the
community and advise in the preparation of the requests for BPE's directly
I I
that NPIC would be involved only with procurement procedures (upon
the request of other agencies) for additional BPE's and in the monitoring
? of the project. Changes in design, or additional or subtractive
requirements of the prototype by other agencies should.not be the concern
(Should this be the decision of member agencies)? It is assumed