DRY-SILVER ACQUISITION SYSTEM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05171A000800070048-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 17, 2003
• Sequence Number: 48
• Publication Date: June 9, 1969
• Content Type: MFR

TOP ECRq Approved For Release 2003/12/19: C A-RD8B05171A000800070048-3
awl
25X1
June 1969
Copy
.+WA 7UM FOR THE RECORD
E : Dry-Silver Acquisition System
1. The attractiveness of dry-silver photo material
particularly as
,
,ppl cable to the problems Of wet processing in the sensing vehicle, has
t,de this photo duplicating material a very good candidate for modification
to special the requirements of an acquisition material,
It appears that the basic dry-silver material and processing tech-
amenable to modification and specialization to fill the particular
:nts as an acquisition material. This would assume that the tempera-
and that the photo material would be shielded from excessive radiation prior
to processing, These are norms), precautions that would be necessary for any
x cording with CRT, laser, and electron beams which indicates that~satisfac-
tory sensitivity to these particular forms of radiation can be formulated.
This would make dry-silver material particularly amenable to use in an
electo.optical system.
A speed increase for dry-silver material does not necessarily call
for a loss in resol*tion, even though this apparently would be no problem.
esolution is a combination of a particular set of parameters, i.e., con-
trast, density, range, gamma variability, etc. It is entirely possible
that no resolution loss would occur with an increase in speed, depending of
course, on all of the other requirements. The first step in this operation
would be to establish, and tie down specific development goals depending
upon the system requirements.
4. As far as processing equipment is concerned, in addition to
u techniques and processors already built or being built, the 25X1
s demonstrated the feasibility of a hot air bearing, real-time
. airborne operation. This was done in response to RFPs for the
U.S. Navy chaired Joint in Flight Data Transmission System (JIFDATS). It
ul4 seem that modification and improvement of this technique would be
applicable to the processing requirements of this system.
Declass Review by
NIMA/DOD Approved For Release 2003/12/19: CIA-RDP78B05171A000800070048-3
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 ` TOP SECRET',
Approved For ReleaseZ03/12/19: CIA-RDP78B05171A00080AQ70048-3
As far as security is concerned, request to expedite
special clearances for key personnel will help simplify the
problem of this additional request, With the addition of the head chemist
and a head engineer, personnel will be ready to start work as soon as the
ary preliminaries are completed.
6. Despite the fact that the investigation would be for special
U Ose acquisition requirements, it is more than likely that the Center
would benefit from the additional knowledge and techniques that would "Fall
*'It" from the effort. Additional y, the increased interest of the Govern-
ment in the dry-silver system will doubtless encourage the I _J to
make increasingly more of their funds and facilities available or the
development.
T. Estimating roughly, it would appear that there is a email-to-fair
development risk in achieving-the very general requirements outlined for
acquisition use. This is based upon past performance, and present knowledge
and is, of course, subject to the actual specifications required for the
equipment and material.
The stated film speed (ASA 0.2) is available only on a laboratory
basis-not on scaled-up version as yet.
9. A satisfactory low speed printer/processor has been developed but
it could not really be called "commercially available.," even though a
"chinese copy" could probably be produced in less than six months. The
SS,gh Speed Processors have not yet been completely tested or accepted.
Final tests are expected in September or October 1969.
10. The acquisition speeds required can probably be obtained with
additional time and manpower working on problem. (NOTE - NPIC stands to
benefit by any speed increase even though special trade-offs are different).
11. It is estimated that the film is almost suitable for electro-
optical system as it stands, would probably work very well with small
onal formulation changes.
1c'. If it were decided that DES?, NPIC were to monitor this project,
it is felt that little additional effort or expense would be required, since
gular monitoring is already necessary for NPIC contracted requirements.
is felt that NPIC would benefit greatly, not only from increased R&D
knowledge in dry-silver photography, but also from the increased effort and
aible increased production requirements for dry-silver. Additionally,
project shows how NPIC R&D efforts can be of benefit not only to other
onents of the Agency but to the entire intelligence community.
Distribution:
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3 - DED/SDB Chrono
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Approved For Release 200jol/1 fDP78B05171A000800070048-3
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