APPROVAL TO CONTRACT FOR THE COMPLETE DESIGN OF A SCAN AND SEARCH PHOTO INTERPRETATION STATION WITH THE(Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05171A000800070098-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 17, 2003
• Sequence Number: 98
• Publication Date: January 1, 1969
• Content Type: MF

Approv
V1,773 :P ZIT
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MEMORANDUM TOR: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
THROUGH Executive Director-Comptroller Ong & Budgeting
Director, Office of Planning, Progr
Deputy Director for Intelligence
es of a Scan and
SUBJECT . Approval to Contract for the Complete Dthe
Seaxch Photo Interpretation Station 0
t a Cost of
1. This memorandum requests approval for the commitment of funds for
an NPIC contract. The specific request is stated in Paragraph 10.
2. It is proposed that a photo interpretation station be designed
which would be specifically configured for the scan and search task. It
would consist of a rear projection viewer combined with a small integral
light table with a microstereoscope. This configuration would allow the
interpreter to search large volumes of film (monoscopically and at low to
moderate magnifications) in relatively short periods of time. It would
also permit him to inspect small areas of interest in stereo sand atihipghove
magnification on the same roll of film. This configuration
This station
the efficiency, completeness, and accuracy of the search task.
nrvolumes
was conceived as a result of,the,forecast ao~,large
with the II system.
3. In general, there are several accepted methods of viewing
l?e. look-
look-
reconnaissance imagery: (1) Direct viewing with the "naked" ' ey,
ing at film on a light table. This method is the easiest and fastest, but
it offers no magnification (image enlargement) or stereo capability; (2)
Direct viewing, with the use of optical aids such as simple magnifiers,
stereomicroscopes and microstereoscopes. These methods offer the best
image, the highest magnification and a stereo capability;
they present a limited field-of-view and some of the equipment is difficult
and time-consuming to use; (3) Rear Projection Viewing--where the image is
projected onto a large screen. This offers a magnified, monoscopic image
and is relatively efficient for searching large volumes of film. Rear pro-
jection viewers have been widely used in NPIC?s scanning and searching
operations because these l Orion ofnthe film atooneatiine aseopposedltoethe
preter to inspect a large p
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 Approv d f c ~Re24 120 3/12/19 : CIA-RDP7 O5171A000800070098-8
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SLTaJECT; Approve to Contract for the Complete si n of a Scan and Search
^4?+,,,n Station with the
Photo Interp
at a cost of
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This much larger ground area
very small area seen through a microscope. and identifying tom''
relatively short
permits the utilization of contexu olumess of film in finding
gets of interest and to scan large
1ew
periods of tine. This is due to the fa at fourtethe axe en times th teofl a direct
,
of areas projection viewer is as much
viewing microscopic system--operating at the same magnification. Furthermore
more than one person at a time can view the image should a team concept of
scanning be desired.
4. The use of rear projection viewers, however, has been largely
quality
discontinued at NPIC because in recent years, increases in imag q
surpassed the optical performance capabilities of available rear Pro-as improved
have viewers. Recently proven components and concep ~qs sh and new
s rfilm loading ~
ossible to build a rear projection
heat filtering, xenon arc lamp , rapid
optical design capabilities, now make it p e roved screen contrast, imp system which will have better resoluti better human engineering. This improved
roved direct viewing
easier film loading and unloading, and
rear projection viewer, when comb ined with recentlyp rove the
equipment (light tables, microstereoscopes d rhb olds), atland improve
overall efficiency of the scan and search operation characteristics of
and search techniques. Because of the soodtaslan cage viewed directly
scan screens, a projected image will never be as good
imperative to retain the direct
through high quality optics; therefore, it is viewing capability of the microscope.
Although these two instruments could be used separately, it would would require either duplicate copies of the same film ontoha light table,aaevery
req ector and reload
remove the film from the proj
tedious process.
specifically configured for
The proposed Scan and Search Station is it would
(although it could be used for the
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l y quickly ion
allow the in xeter to s onto the rear p
simply ro ec t from either of the rolls
He could then project simply advance the same
e
screen and when he flight a tar
light table could then view the film eith film to an integral e The rear projection
in stereo with a.microstereoscop ?
monoscopically or Rear Projection
system is also being designed to accommodate the Improved 25X1
Screen which NPIC is currently developing at
of success is very high for this program because
6. The probability the most efficient equipment onfiguration,
it basically consists of designing of the factors in 25X1
utilizing existing, proven components and techniques. Many
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Approved
ror RiI`eeseni'OUY%12/19: CIA-RDP78B 5171A000800070098-8
SUBJECT: Approval to Contract for the Complete Design of a Scan and Search
Photo Interpretation Station. with the
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this configuration are results of recommendations made b
under NPIC's Imagery Interpretation Research Program.
he selected contractor, has a proven history of success n
developments of this type.
25X1 7. Sterility Cod is appropriate for this work. The Agency
1 b lassified Confidential, but the work
c
l
-
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e
C wi
association with the projec
and project title will be Unclassified. The Project Officer will assign
security classifications to the reports.
8. The program requires a six month period for completion of the
engineering design at a cost of This time period will allow a
follow-on fabrication of a prototype in time for evaluation prior to the
advent of the first operational The total project cost in-
cluding both design and fabrication efforts will_eventually cost NPIC
approximately At the present time NPIC recommends that an allo-
cation be made only for the design effort. This effort will produce a final
design, including complete optical, electrical and mechanical configurations.
oject will concentrate on the design of a system to
i
s pr
9. Although th
2 5X1 exploit 0 imagery, this design phase will also include an engineering
evaluation of alternative configurations which would increase the stations
flexibility by permitting the viewing This evalu-
ation will provide a "trade-off" analysis covering cost, technical risk, and
time to complete, so that we can select only those features which prove to
be cost effective. The design will then be completely reviewed at NPIC for
compliance with the development objectives, at which time we will select the
optimum configuration for the system. Upon the successful completion of the
engineering design, NPIC will recommend that the fabrication be performed
under a fixed-price contract in order to limit the Government's financial
liability and to insure a high level of confidence of success on the part of
the Contractor.
10. It is requested that approval be ranted for negotiations with
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Scan and Search Photo Interpretation Station from FY-1969 funds.
ARTHUR C. LUNDAHL
Director
National Photographic Interpretation Center
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Attachment: (1)
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 Approved F~
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of a Scan and Search
SUBJECT: Approval to Contract for the Complete Design
Photo Interpretation Station with the
APPROVED :
R..J. SMITH Date
Deputy Director for Intelligence
APPROVED:
R. E. Cushman, Jr.
Lieutenant General, USMC
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Distribution:
Cy 1 - NPIC/TSSG/SC&PS (After approval)
2-- DDI
3 - O/PPB
4 - Exec. Dir.-Compt.
5,6 - NPIC/ODir
7 - NPIC/TSSG/SC&PS
8 - NPIC/TSSG/DED.
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Approved For Release 2003/12/19 : CIA-RDP78BO5171A000800070098-8