REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF ELECTROCOLOR MATERIAL STUDY (Sanitized) FROM FY-1967 FUNDING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A002600110017-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 9, 2002
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: November 18, 1966
• Content Type: MF

'UNCLASSI Fl,roved
F~
r "Lei ,2003/01/28: CIA-RDFHBCWNEMBUIdAL10017-5 ? SECRET
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
25X1
25X1
SUBJECT: (Optional)
R&D Project Approval Request for: ELECTROCOLOR MATERIALS STUDY ad
FROM:
Director, NPIC
6N212
T Ionizer esigna ion, room number, and
building)
OFFICER'S
INITIALS
NPIC/D-266-66
DATE
November 1966
kErom FY-6 fX1
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
Asst. for Tech. Develop.
Ch/LB/SS/NPIC
Ch/BFAB/P&M/NPIC
Ch/SS/NPIC
Tech. Advisor/NPIC
Exec. Dir./NPIC
-/ ? 4', --1 -/- V 4~1
1-? N 6, 1
_2
Director/NPIC _ 'V
'- 8. _
DDI
7E32 Hqs?
9.
D/PPB
6Eo8
Exec. Dir.-Compt.
7D59 Has.,
11.
LB SS/NPIC
9q rs
13.
FORM 610 USE PREVIOUS
3-62 EDITIONS
This project wa;, indlu.ded in th?~
TDB minutes of JE May which were
approved by the Executive Director
on 26 May
? SECRET ^ CONFIDENTIAL ^ USE RONLY ^ UNCLASSIFIED
}Review
Review
Review
--~ Return for Requisition
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 Approved
Approved
ERR dMDA$I(8 :
CAA oP- B04770A002
TO: LB/SS/NPIC
ROOM NO.
BUILDING
REMARKS:
-ROM:
O/Di x/NPTC
ROOM NO.
or Release
BUILDING
003/01/28: CIA-RDP78
EXTENSION
0477OA002
1 FFEB ORM 55 n4 I REPLACES FORM 36-8
WHICH MAY BE USED.
 Approved For Release 2003/ [~1`A-RDP78B04770A0026001 OU
NPIC/D-266-66
18i cv 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
THROUGH . Executive Director-Comptroller
Director, Office of Planning, Programming
and Budgeting
Deputy Director for Intelligence
SUBJECT : Request for Approval of Electrocolor Material
Study with
FY-1967 Funding
REFERENCE Chief, Administrative Staff, O/DDI Memorandum of
4 February 1964 on: "Approval of Research and
Development Activities."
1. The Electrocolor Material Study has been prepared for
DDCI approval in order that negotiations for contract may be
completed prior to January 1967. This project offers significant
promise for speed and versatility in the field of color process
and will meet the requirements of the anticipated increasing volume
of color film to be received at NPIC.
2. The enclosed staff study, tabs and proposal provide the
background and justification for the project.
3. It is requested that this project be approved and that
funds amounting tol e authorized and expended from FY-
1967 R&D funding.
25X1
25X1
Director
National Photographic Interpretation Center
Attachments: a/s
Deputy irec or or n elligence
C6 i:::' 1
Approved For Release A-~b~
u~~ `~#
 Approved For Release 2003/01/28 CIA-RDP78B04770A002600110017-5
NPIC/D-266-66
APPROVED : DATE:
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Orig & 1 - LB/SS/NPIC (after approval)
1 - DDCI
1 - Exec Dir-Comptroller
1 - D/PPB
1 - DDI
1. - D/NPIC
2 - NPIC/TDS/DB
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l4+ April 1966
ELECTROCOL0R MATERIAL STUDY
1. PROBLEM:
To increase the NPIC capability to exploit color photography
inputs.
2. FACTS BEARING ON TITS PROBLEM:
0
a. Exploitation of color photography's increased information
content is hampered by the long and intricate processing required.
b. The use of color photography is rapidly increasing at the
same time that new uses, such as camouflage detection and foliage;
penetration, are being developed.
c. The Electrocolor process is an automatic process for making
photographic color prints. It shows promise of greater speed to match
the increasing volume and of control over contrast and color to meet
the new demands for versatility.
d. An in-house test of the Electrocolor processor by the
Production Services Division in 1965 was terminated, as explained.
in Tab C, with a recommendation for further analysis of the system.
3. DISCUSSION:
a. Current Procedure. The limited number of color prints
now used by the NPIC are produced by the Ektacolor process. The
volume is small, and requirements are straightforward. However, new
color collection systems are being put into operation which will
greatly increase the volume of input for exploitation. It is there-
fore incumbent upon the NPIC to be prepared to handle this volume
and to explore methods for obtaining the maximum information from
In its present stage of development the Electrocolor process
cannot compete with the Ektacolor process for day-to-day operation.
Nevertheless, the versatility of the process and the speed with which
it can produce a single print show enough promise to justify an
impartial, complete evaluation of its potential.
b. Origin of Concept. The electrocolor technique is based
on the same principle as electroplating of metals. The process
electrically charges the emulsion, which is then "plated" with any
desired color. Thus, the colors can be faithfully reproduced or
varied at will to facilitate interpretation.
SECRET
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c. Proposed Program. The proposed evaluation consists of a
one-year impartial study in depth of the Electrocolor technique. This
study will determine the possibilities of using this process for pro-
ducing multiple prints more rapidly, increasing the size and resolution
of prints, and producing transparencies. Results of the study will
be applicable to photo interpretation as well as to the reproduction
of color photographic prints.
d. Selection of Contractor. T1he submitted 25X1
an unsolicited proposal to conduct this evaluation. Acce tance of,
the proposal is recommended because of previous 25X1
experience with this system. performed tests on. 25X1
the system for the Air Force and built a prototype color negative
analyzer for the to use in conjunction with the Electro-
color system. Approximately 33% of the expenditure for this project
will be subcontracted to the for experimental work necessary
to ?ha atra_l iin+..ii nn
e. Program Phasing. The contractor will submit monthly reports
on expenditures, work performed, and results obtained. After four
months there will be a major review to determine whether results
warrant continuation of the study. At the end of a year, the contractor
will present a report supported by laboratory models, spelling out
all possible improvements of the system. The report will include
design concepts for optimized equipment. If findings are favorable,
the final evaluation will outline a program for fabrication of test
models and a prototype.
f. Coordination. This project has been closely coordinated
with the Production Services Division. Coordination with other Center
components has been accomplished through the Technical Development
Board. This effort does not duplicate a similar one performed by 25X1
for the Air Force. This project has been coordinated wi 1
DDS&T/ORD, and formal community-wide coordination has been maintained
through the Committee on Photographic Exploitation.
g. Alternatives. This process has unique features which
deserve careful, impartial investigation. The Center does not have
the space, equipment, or personnel for such a study and sufficient
impartiality cannot be expected from the manufacturer.
f+. CONCLUSIONS:
The increasing use of color in reconnaissance photography makes it
necessary for the NPIC to expand its knowled;rc and capability in the
field of color exploitation. The Electrocolor process offers significant
promise for more speed and versatility in this field. An objective
study is required to determine whether its advantages can be applied
to Center tasks.
S
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5. RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that approval be gran o contract with the
F77
6. REFERENCES AND ATTACHMENTS:
Tab A. Catalog form
Tab B. Technical specifications
Tab C. Memorandum on in-house test
Tab D. Program phasing
25X1
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