NRO PLANNING SESSION ON PROJECT(Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05703A000700010026-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 9, 2003
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: October 16, 1970
• Content Type: MFR

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 TOP SECRET
Approveq'
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16 October 1970
Copy /
SUBJECT: NRO Planning Session on Project
1. On 15 October 1970, a meeting was held at NRO between repre-
sentatives of the various organizations involved (see attachment #1)
for the purpose of making plans for the conduct of Project
II (see attachment #2 for the agenda).
e project manager and the assistant project
manager chaired the meeting. The following summarizes the pertinent
topics of the meeting.
TOP SECRET or SECRET with no code word designation except
2. Security - Matters concerning the project will be classified
which is unclassified. Imagery produced by the project will be classi-
fied SECRET 0 Security officer for OSA is
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The plan is for 15 operational flights over a 1+5-day period. Times
and frequency of flights will be staggered in order to avoid a pattern.
Most flights will be at night or during overcast periods during the day
when photography cannot be obtained.
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GROUP i
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drsrs;ralrt~ and
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5. Overall Responsibility Division in NRO has
overall res onsibility. is responsible for the SLR instru-
ment, II for the airframe, and NPIC for the exploitation of the
product.
6. Operational Missions - Operational missions will be flown out
beginning about 1 April 1971. Each flight is cap-
able of covering 2,500 lineal miles with a five mile swath width at a
radar ground resolution of 10'X10'. Since the estimated exploitation
time will be two-to-three days per mission and information gathered
from one mission will be used to plan the subsequent mission, missions
will not be flown at intervals of less than three days. As much imagery
as possible will be obtained with each mission in the event that the
flights might be discontinued by Cuban interference or for other reasons.
Radar is an active Onitter and may be objectionable to the Cubans.
About 250' of imagery can be produced by each mission. Correlation
of the Doppler history will be done by
It is estimated that the bulk correlation of a
through
mission will require two days. ill provide
correlation quality control by same ing ff~ corre a ion for each
mission. Both voiced a desire to be able to ex-
periment with the correlation wi ou being hampered by time constraints.
The undersigned advised the Group that since these would be operational
missions which requires that certain phases of exploitation and report-
ing be accomplished within assigned time periods, some kind of waiver
should be obtained in order that the project can be treated more as an
experiment than as an operation with respect to time. On 16 October,
the undersigned posed this question to who agreed that the
project should be treated primarily as an experiment, but that any sub-
stantive intelligence information obtained should be reported in accord-
ance with existing procedures. This information was passed to NRO
It was agreed that we should have at least one PI who is familiar
with the target areas at thebulk correlator during periods of
correlation. This is to ensure optimum correlation for each target.
There will be some experimentation in adjusting the gain setting in the
correlator to obtain the best imagery. In preparation for this, at least
two PIs should be trained in the technical aspects of correlation.
Additional OJT can be obtained during the testing phases.
In addition, there will be some experimentation with changing the
gain setting in the SLR instrument and comparisons will be made to try
to determine where gain control can be manipulated best--in the SLR or
in the correlator.
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will have an INS system which will record the INS data
digitally on the Doppler history film. This will then be translated
and titled in alpha numerics on the final imagery film. The INS will
be correlatable with the imagery in terms of time marks. Latitude and
longitude will be recorded down to seconds.
In addition to varying aspect angles, certain targets will be
acquired at depression angles of from 300 to 600 in simulation of a
satellite system. At least one mission will be flown in north-south
flight lines to simulate a satellite near-polar orbit pattern.
I I stated that the project will not be confined to the
collection of strategic intelligence information alone. The value of
SLR for mapping and obtaining other information (no specifics given)
is also to be determined. Therefore, areas will be covered that do not
contain known targets of interest. This may give IEG the opportunity to
determine its values for general search.
wants the Cuban operation targetting to be done first
followed by the IEEE has already done considerable
work on the Cuban targets an stou meet the completion time of three
weeks as expressed by NRO. The undersigned noted that there was one
DIA analyst present, but none from CIA and advised that CIA analysts
should be added to the project. This was later agreed upon informally
and will be included in Mr. Lundahl's letter acknowledging
letter of 1 October 1970. I Icoordinator for IEG's support
of plans to meet wiTE MR in the next few days to discuss
the matter and make plans. Plans for mapping will be made by TOPOCOM
for inclusion in the overall flight planning. NPIC will probably have
no part in this.
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8. Interpretation - It is tentatively planned to have five exploi-
tation teams. Each team will be composed of one PI from NPIC, one in-
telligence analyst from DIA or CIA and one radar interpretation specialist
from either of the three contractors,
I Iwants the SLR imagery exploited in
two ways, (1) without the use of collateral photography, and (2) with
collateral photography. In both cases, collateral other than photography
can be used.
Rear projection viewers are considered best for radar viewing,
especially with the team concept. NPIC has only one such viewer.
as the task of obtaining the rest, including one extra for
backup. will use his good offices if help is needed from
the DOD community to loan the machines.
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9. Training - Training will be carried out both by 25X1
in order to update and refresh the PI's and analysts in
radar interpretation. 25X1
Training in imagery correlation will be conducted by
perhaps two NPIC PIs and one photo analyst from APSD.
Training for IEG personnel will be coordinated by
10. Planning -1 1 will organize a planning group which
will meet on 27 October. By that time'r _J will have examples
of target lists, etc. for the Cuban coverage. The group will be com-
posed of representatives from NPIC, DIA, CIA,
The meeting wi e e at
EPIC. It is planned to cover targets from up to three aspect angles,
the best plus two others, and from two depression angles.
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a. to start survey for space requirements and
availability for interpretation evaluation group (5-6 teams of
three persons each).
b. to obtain information on the SLR system that is
required early, such as the nature of the data block, the INS
system, correlation between imagery and INS, titling, imagery
formats, etc.
play, if any.
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to determine roles other NPIC components should
e. Arrange for proposal and contract with
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f. II to verbally apprise group s and other pertinent
components the general nature of ntil facts are 25X1
established well enough to give brie ings.
a. NPIC components should determine what part if any they
should play in the exercise. Since this is primarily an experi-
ment, it will permit components to make certain determination as
to how SLR imagery should be handled as compared to photography.
For instance, APSD has provided a tentative list of such considera-
tions (see attachment #3).
b DIAMC-5 stated that they have some SLR cor-
relation an viewing equipment in which we might have an interest.
Perhaps RED would like to visit them and see the equipment.
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Attachments:
1. List of Attendees
2. Agenda.
3. Speedletter
Distribution:
Cy 1 - 0/Dir/NPIC
2 - Ch/PPBS/NPIC
3 - Ch/SS/NPIC
4 - Ch/TSG/NPIC
5 - Ch/RED/TSG/NPIC
6 - Ch/ATB/RED/TSG/NPIC
7 - Ch/APSD/TSG/NPIC
8 - Ch/IEG/NPIC
9 - Ch/OD/IEG/NPIC
10 - Ch/PSG/NPIC
11&12 - Ch/RSB/RED/TSG/NPIC
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AGENDA 15 OCT 1970
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Security
B. Purpose
C. Method
D. Overall Responsibility
I f WORKING GROUP RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Formulate Ops Flight Plan
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Select
Flight
Flight
Day or
Targets (incl.-mapping)
Line Segments
Routes and Number
Night
Frequency
Photo
How much imagery?
Radar & Correlator
Adjustments
Formulate Domestic Flight Plan
1. Simulated Operational. Targets
2. Simulated Other Targets
Flight Line Segments
Flight Routes and Number
Radar
Photos
Radar & -Correlator Adjustments
I-low much imagery?
Interpretation
.1. Form Teams
(a) With and Without Photos
1. Who?
2. When?
3. Where?
1. Who ?
2. When?
3. Where?
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2. Team Composition
(a) NPIC,
(lj)
(c)
(ci)
(e) U
3. Training
(a) Classroom
(b)
(c) . . ~~Jght Tests
4. Operational
(a )
(b)
(c) At NPIC
(d)
D. Opera-Lions
1. Ops Decisions -- Continue Team
2. Special Mission Equipment
(a
(b
3. Data Flow
4. Radar & Correlator Adjustments
E. Evaluation & Reporting
Briefing
Report
1. Who?
2. When?
3. Where?
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