(Sanitized)MODEL II RHOMBOIDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05171A000800070081-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 17, 2003
• Sequence Number: 81
• Publication Date: May 26, 1969
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release. 200 ZY 41k-RDP78B05171A000800070081-6
low_
1969
M QR uM FOR
Model II Rhomboids
There is a great deal of attention currently focused upon
The rhomboids are needed for the the =v+ zced
04a.tsd r n the 3_5hn r.{ -1,4. m_y, -- - sYstem wh roz 'r-'Mh.. 25X1
...,.. avrtn.
And the Q euc of should Most of the current activity
~rev
l
o
ve
we or shld
,ou we not,
Ids for Production quantities of the rhomboids. , obligate FY-69 Equir
ent
2? toward this
d
an
a serif
,es o meetings have been held with represen-
tatives of ~, P,PSS and TSSG .UD.
eer At these Division briefed IEG and PPBS on thestechnicalDproble
ms ment
i the develo, ent of the Model II Rhomboid package. Currently, the maainved
problem is In the area of coat
esstembly utilized to sel
t
os
ag pl i
ec
mon
g prismatic
i
copcorstereoscopicmodesview
The Rhomboid
,Prototy a has been examined by DED, and it is apparent that
the chanical configuration is quits mo
f _
o
h
-
e instrument should be operationally efficient and
c`table to use, It should be a very successful
that the current optical problems instrument-
can be resolved. h h a
Optimized for binocular monoscopic viewing at the expensept c hep toth has been
P.c a1. channels . The other t o
quite image as seen through this optimized channel was
geod, very closely aPproaching Our specifications. This gives us some
degree
11 of confidence that the device can be made to work as specified.
We cu ently have a quote on ti
O
ti
p
~wc of the stereo
ons for improvi the optical depend ,
omboids. These quotations vary from roug
upon the Option chosen T
t`-- - _. Othresu~zh 25X1
o
0ve
?Unding ` 1 I caste incurred over and above 25X1
ed II h Promised to forward current
robl
p
em areasd cushion
an proposed solutions by May. This
discussion would include detailed schedules and a discussion relatin g
ility of success for each technical opti a.
rabab..
_
o
k'
asked Of
A t. with lEG and PFRS, the questjo
T?ED "Is i t O$ i
n was
ble toblit 6 p
,a
Ogae9 f ndn for Production the Rhomboids?" ns' red in the affirmative, pointin
DED t
was F lk~1e to obli
versions
a
o
t
g
g
e
u
that it
the fundi b
ngut that there were technical risis
invO.I.Yed. DED will not know for certain that they have a successful develop
wit until the prototype has been delivered
tested
,
and accetd
rpe. To obl ate
Declass Review ~~VV~~11McP~ Release 2003/12/19: CIA-RUP78B05171A00080007008
11
 Approved For Release 2003/12/6LCP78B05171A000800070081-6
*400
SUC+a ;
Model Ii Rhomboids
cations for rvr us to write definitive
production units and for the contractor to provide
isa3 "budgetary estima.te5H foY? th
_
e c
st
Isere are contractual ways of protecting the }
paver st } interests in ca+se+s of this type
Ob~ FY-69 . One of those discussed ~~
t3 row funding against the delivery of an acceptable pre-produc--
ype or small production run (the ie-Livery of five acceptable
units) before actual production of the bulk of the order
Of Ourse Offers COflhiderable in enthsinced.
P 'oductiox~ cannot start until the acceptance of to
the the
first runits. siHowever,
there are risks involved, particularly in the area of contractual complica.-
tions, ice--as previously mentioned--we cannot write firm specifications
util the delivery of the prototype, and Q cannot give firm funding for 25X1
Production quantities until they have finished the development of the proto-
tYpe and have reviewed our final specifications for cost impact. However,
if it is mandatory that we obligate our FY 69 funding, this is the manner in
Vhich It could be acccm lished with the least risk to the Government.
5. Furthermore, there is a technical risk; the Rhomboid package is a
highly sophisticated state-of-the-art optical device--attested to by the
fs4t that nine companies were solicited and only one proposed. ,,
should we authorize FY-69 funding for production quantities,, andxthenefind
tl*t the prototype is unacceptable, we would be unable to spend the FY-69
f'=ding for rhomboids and would have to return it to the .A ;ency, which might
or might not, be more embarrassing than returning it at this time. We cur-
rently have a reasonable degree of eo ence of success if z we follow the
option presented to us by Nevertheless, there in still al-
WYS possibility that the system will not function properly. I- I
has a high degree of confidence that they can make the system k owever 25X1
they had the s degree of high conf e prior to the current
During the discussions with problem, a
2
uertak,~g the c?evelo asked them if they would consider
nt as a fix price contract. They said they would
prefer not to but that they would certainly be villing to it. It
is not really desirable in this case that they do accept acf ixed price con-
tract. The question was mainly initiated to determine their degree of
confidence in the development. Predicated upon their answer, it would appear
that it was quite high.
prior to the delivery of the rotot involved ireobliga..
tail. It is obviously to TJlfp ylae were ~arplained to
icaiL risk and the contractue i b
everyof the prototype and complete test aI acIvantage to wait nd evaluation prior toil
Approved For Release 2003/12/19 : CIA-RDP78BO5171A000800070081-6
 SUUU T
Approved For Relea ,2003/12/19 : CIA-RDP78BO5171A000800070081-6
SVMCT:
IModej It Rhomboids
Production contract. This would also be more desirable to
tics Procurement Diviaiar
H
0
owever, ii it is essential to
09 fundin in this manner, it can be done in let everybody involved is ftUl
the manner discussed
y mare of the techn
ical and ccatrac
I :A
Develogaaerit Deputy Chiei?,
lneer ,r Division
, TSSG
K/TSBC, D D
69)
25X1
Approved For Release 2003/12/19 : CIA-RDP78BO5171A000800070081-6