PHOTOGRAPHIC QUALITY NECESSARY FOR TANK IDENTIFICATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05707A000300080003-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 7, 2014
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: February 20, 1962
• Content Type: MEMO

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CHAiWELS
ONLY
SCS-11293/62-EH
20 February 1962
C 0/- a-
MEMORANDUM FORt Director, NM
SUBJECT: Photographic Quality Necessary for Tank IdentificatIon
o?
1. On Friday, 16 February,hpresentatives of the Office of
National Estnatee and of(ArnifIntelligencebriefedDro Jerome
Wiesner, Scientific Adviser ta7ihe loreslEe'lfit, on our estimates of
Soviet tank production and tank inventeries. The briefing, prepared
at Dr. Wiesnorls request, was designed to review our current
estimates, the evidence and analysis underlying them, and our
degree of confidence in their accuracy. The discussion ineluded
both the modern types of Soviet tanks (e.g. T4541 1.100 fl-?6)
and older types (e.g. T..34, JS-3), in the hands of Soviet forces
and other countries.
2. During the course of the briefing, the point was made
that aerial photography could sometimes reveal the presence of
tanks at factories and tank parks, but often was not sufficient
to detect tanks and usually was not sufficient to identify the
type of tank. Dr. Wiesner asked what photographic resolution
was thought to be necessary. We could not answer specifically,
but pointed out that resolution was not the only factor involved
and promised to get an answer.
3. It is, therefore, requested that you provide us with a
brief memorandum responding to the following questions:
(a) What resolution and quality of photography are
believed necessary to identity an object of the size and
general configuration of a Soviet tank?
onitiortPir
(b) What resolution az d qtalitykere believed necessary
to distinguish tanks from other objects or vehicles of
similar size and configuration?. d.
lttA46 at
(c) What resolution andonotography are believed
necessary to distinguish one type of tank from another?
(d) By What means and ten are these resolutions
and qualities believed achievable?
eS717.11i7..71.7
77.:1 717 IrTA TALTI:IT
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TCS-11293/62-KH
44. The memorandum should be addressed to Assistant Director,
National Estimatee, Attention Mr. Ststertz. '.0 will be forwarded under
0* our cover note to W. Wiesner. If possible, we wish toreply to
Dr. Wiesner no later than COB Monde, 26 February,
5. This request has been coordinated informally with Col.
Sanders of Army Intelligente,
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I '
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Extras
SECT
HOWARD STOERT2 JR.
9/NE Staff
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WORISIPILA tfArttc
at' I
DRAFT
23 February 1962
Photographic resolution is dependent on several factors, i.e., object
contrast, photographic lens and film used, the dynamics of the system, that
is system vibration, shutter speed and efficiency, image motion control and
correct exposure. Of course, proper film processing is vital.
Ground resolution is dependent upon Photographic Resolution, the focal
length of the camera, and the altitude of the camera system.
Quality of photography is certainly subjective and would depend upon a
standard being arrived at. What is high quality today might be average
tomorrow.
The questions asked are very vague since po figures are attached.
50X1
TRIOS
A state-of-the-art camera system exists that will give 85-90 lines/mm for
low contrast target (2:1 brightness ratio which is Standard) in a dynamic
environment. This gives a ground resolution, when used at 50,000 feet altitude,
on the order of one foot.
From AFM 200-50, Photographic Interpretation Handbook, 1953, a scale of
1:2000, with the quality of photography performed then, is necessary to determine
the difference between a 24 and 4 ton truck. The quality of photography in
terms of resolution available now is four to five times better than in 1953.
Therefore, a minimum scale of 1:8000 is required to do the same thing.
With the above in mind the photography would have to be enlarged. The
current quality of the negative material will easily support an enlargement of
20X giving a scale of approximately 1:1000.
Photo interpreters indicate that Soviet tanks are primarily identified by
the size and position of the turret. Average tank size is 10 xare feet and
1 ?
7:3.2.1.05ZNING PAgFil
SECRET
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tinaLIM. WORKING PAPER
turrets, pear shaped, are approximately 2i to 3 feet across the "bulb" of the
pear. Fairly precise measurements could be made of the image of the vehicle.
The requirements can be presently met by both resolution and quality with
an existing camera system.
?SECTIET woratNG ?JAM
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aa___ Cal
B-35.?SCALES
30-245/NAVAER
Common representative
Ira/thins
2,500
10.000
31 180
80.000
W
Figure
Inches per
mile
61000
@QV
01 is
00
ttea
8110
aeo
moo
tato
omo
GOB
B-36.? MINIMUM
10-35-610/AFM
MILE
COMMON
Centimeters
pefkiliThreter
80
AND
200-50
CENTIMETERS
03 Olt
COM Ilion representative
Inactions
W
150.00001
01
250,000_
1/ 253,440_
300,000
400,000__
UI
01
01
Ill
01
01
500,000__
506.880_
600,000__
7. ,
1,000,000_
1,013;760_
WM, 1X13
cattet) designed aCe(n)
Caffignellie photo mission
one It Omuta
twal
anze
10thn =Sp Wawa co cam=
(MEG
They
is being
that
INTERPRETATION
acceptable photographic
AND
Appendix B
Tables and Graphs
KILOMETER
Inches per
ndle
Cit
Geld inlet e I's
kilometer
IDENTIFICATION.
21)
eel? mom engem) lb awwws0
These minimum scales are the educated con iusions of
NIL IOUS
Wilallibacwwwwith
fif
the opinions or experience of
will, however, serve as a guide to the minim11111 scales at. which object-itnages can
to which an aerial photo is exposed
falibenslan
qualified
I'll
lie identified and analyzed.
caeca
?dub
einiev waBlu
variables in
atmospheric conditions and
quality photography
mount vibration, aim edge
compensation,
establishes scales req
represents scales necessary f
lir2l,Throin 11-50 s, etc
planning operations cl
are the minimum scales for
camera
( ?Minn
11
glib
Woofiementas
Itiannetfie
eamm0as
currently
gradient
produced.
Improvements
of
gamin dam
to alter
factors
these
pan ?I
[Cr
06
wauw,
as dams,
mu& WI*
re( oreeo on of an object. class e. g., motor vehicle, multi-engine aircraft,.
detaile anal?sis of specific objec_ts within an objiLct class (e.g.. to distinguish 2c-,or
rt ale- ,o1 11 arc=FM=1-forWif
ed photograph specific installations for dotal ed
norinal intelligence requirements.
is indicated as extremely
If
photography
Clattemb
'Transportation___
gi
or continuous-strip photography
Breakdown
rucks
Othittrargamtgame wow
wIttto
technical analysis.
t ho
All scales refer to vertical stereo photo coverage.
OBliM200101b Coni =Dam op tam
pe r421
pretation; e.
leum,ealinninum, etc.
(AL217M1)_ _ _ _ _ _ - -
(Petroleum aja efj=9 plants
1/6,000 for technical analysis.)
Industries which do en lend
036:211
iron and steel,
interpretation;
inentronics, etc.
Coastal delouses guns._
Heavy
LIght, AA
Searchlight
Mr vehicles
lb
almmte
(WM>
ball-bearing
Xmimplmi.A.p=oarirroMmAp.m
Rail (to include streercar)_ _
Road_
(R=ble
Goa S
given from aerial photography.
Inland waterways
Bridges 100')_--
conditions
eal1110
1123101012m231119S,
Minimum scale
idefitific7ition
1/30,000,,
1/15,000
1/10 000
1/20,000
1/15,000_
1 /10,000_
1 10.000._
I/10.000_.
1:1,0
1/3b,-000.
,0
1/30,000__
scale technical
analis
LO'?
1 12,000
1 '8.000
1 6.000
low-level
tinuous strip.
WS amp
SSE
I 3,000. low-level oblique.
1/5,000 low-level
1/2,000 low-level oblique.
1/2,000 low-level oblique.
zoog.
1/8,000.
Immo.
1 10.000
1 10,000 oblique
al)
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Ara'
Appendix B
tables and Graphs
ral
B-36.?MINIMUM
30-245/NAVAER
FOR
10-35-610/AFM
INTERPRETATION
200-50
IDENTIFICATION.?Continued.
02augli
awAirear
Minimum. Scale
identification
11
Alinimum scale technical
atalysis
Sewage___
Water purification. ______
Gas plants ..... _ _ anaara
Municipal?thermal power plant (typical)._
tlrei=1 power Plant (qpical)_
1/20,000._
I /20,000._
1/20,000_
1/30,000_ _
1/15:000_
1/10,000
1/10,000
1/87000
1/110000
1/87000
I /6,000
Central he plant (typical)
Itraroclectric pout; plant.
1/107000
?traCTO__
1/57060
Terrain
Major land forms_
r Aa
1/207000
aralaAaaaaaaaaaaarAi
-form
limit _ _
Minor laurel?
o a a a.a.a ariS
1/20,001L..
1/_8-,090
Vegetation
(Scales given are applicable to Optilinlin az>
son only.)
1/2(00(1.
08,000 low-level
tinuous-strip
Shipping
NavM-ssels-1313, 011 1137 ealb
largeraan DD).
alf-aril minor combatant
105,000-
012:000
1/7,000
Merchant55 anarana--]
vessels:
1/25,000_
1/000 low-level oblique.
Units above 200' aapa.a.aaa.M.Al
1/25,000_ _
1/12,000
Units below 200' _ _
1/5:000
Shipping facilities
Ports.
1/25:000. _
1/12-000
Docking facilities (piers, wharves, etc.)..._ -41
1/20,000__
1/8,000
3.777s (cranes, l?har(.trackage, et.c.)-
1/12,000_
1/6,000
Electronics
Radar:
1/5,000
Fixed _
1/12,000...
MbiIe ac?ZA aaaa 4
_
05 000
0
Fire control__
1/000._ _
1/2,000
Communications:
Lattice masts_ .
1/15,000_
-.. 1/6,000
Stick
1/10,000._
I /4 000
Open adeock a OCALA a? a
1/18,000_
1/11,000
Portable or liii usual types__ _ _
Ap}ara
1/87000____
1/3-000
Navigationsaids...
1/187400._
0117100
Major (With facilities GE10 ilia landing Nc7Iiinit_
area).
1/10,000
Auxiliary landing area?no facili 1/30,000._
ties).
1/10,000
Auxiliary (unsurfaced landing area?no facili-I /.I0,000__
ties).
1/10,000
Al
Wing span:
Under 40 ft
I/10,001k._
1/2,000
40 to 60 ft
1/12,000__
1/3,000
60 to 10-0:ft A A 'AAA -ea a a a a Ana a a a...a
015,000_
1M,000
100 feet 1/20,001k- -
1/5,000
I er onn
Personnel y tit-known
1/5,000 comparative cover
sentialtevel oblique.
Continuous-strip(along travel
routes including t_
Individual personnel
aala aqba
Structural analysis a a ar
a eZer?Zwaso
1/12,500
1/1,000 low-level (Alive
tinuous-strip,
1.11-117sis
I/12,500__
astgation charts) 1/60,000
Verticall(fW4Fiiig)
1/40,000._
A a a a r
Supplemental (fOrnir cao (=Dap
I/20,000__
3
ED
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INNORANDUM PORI Direetor, IFIO
2122-22193/6s4,
10 February 1962 -60
'104D
\kMM4
4-4 pi c
SMUT. Photegraphie Quality Meseery for IS Identifiestiom
Wee) ?
24 Cm Friday& 16 February* representatives of tr. Win at
National bet mates and atcarey Intelligeneiihriefed Dr. Jerome
Wegner& Scientifis Adviser te tin litideste en ear estimates et
Nevis% tank predilection and teak insteriee. The briefing, prepaid
at Dr. Wleaseris request& was deeigeed to review oar sorrow%
estimates, the evidence and aselysie underlying them& ad emr
degree of confides in their suracy. The discussion ineluded
both the modern types of Soviet tanks (e.g. ?-54. 1-10, PT-711)
ad Older types (e.g. 2..3%, .11?)), in the hands of Soviet fors
end ether gauntries.
I. ?urine the course of the briefing& the point nes made
that aerial photn-raphy co-.d sometimes reveal the press of
tanks at factories ard tank parks& but often was not Inefficient
to detect tanks and us ly was not sufficient to identify the
type of tank. Dr. Wiesner asked Meat photographic resolution
as thought to be neoessary. We mild not anewer esifieelly&
but pointed out that resolution was not the only faster involved
and to got an sewer.
AO"t is, therefore& requested that yes provide us with a
memorandum responding to the following (poetise
(a) What resolution and quality of Tplatiograplay are
believed nevessamry to identify an object of the ads al
general confireration of a Soviet teal
1 PI chi "A I
(b) What resolution ard quality/Imre believed neesery
two distinguish tanks from other otleeta or Sidles if
similar site and configuration/ ,
984../fy etc
(o) What resolution andmphotegraphy are believed
neeess.ry to distinguish one "type of tank true another/
(d) Sy what nes and ten are these solstices
ad satin believed achievable/
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OEL Y
TES-11293/66411
he The menrandas should be addressed to Assistant Ihrestar.
National Intimates, Attention NW. Steerts. It will be fmrsardmi ISM
our one note to NW. Wiesner. If possible. we Irish to regty 60
Dr. Wismar no later then 001 Mondays 26 February.
?
O. This request has bees oeordinated informally with Oale
Sanders of Army Intelligens.
DISTRIBUTION s
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teir,
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?P7 Si on File (5028)
,047. 6,788 Extras
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