COMMENTS ON THE SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION SYSTEMS FOR SURVEILLANCE AND TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05707A000300130001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 14, 2013
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 17, 1962
• Content Type: MEMO

I k
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release
2014/01/08 : CIA-RDP781305707A000300130001-7
3LALID.,-15_11,
NG 21 jgBt
IC.
,?..IMENDA4?1?41????1a.???,.?
STAT
t5flIAL9 ,DAT:i;i,
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release
2014/01/08 : CIA-RDP781305707A000300130001-7
50X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/08: CIA-RDP78805707A000300130001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/08: CIA-RDP78805707A000300130001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/08: CIA-IRDPV8B01570605300.1.30001-7
r?, 1!7Y7n.71:4 Nr
? Control Svstom
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Research, CIA
DYE-3597-62
Copy No.
17 August 1962
SUBJECT: Comments on the Selection of Photographic Collection
Systems for Surveillance and Technical Intelligence
DEFERENCE:
Memorandum for Director, Rational Reconnaissance Office;
Subject: NFIC Requirements for Photo Quality Based on
Anticipated camoR Requirements, Dated a August 1962
1. Many factors must be considered in any decision to select a
specific photo reconnaissance system. These factors would include
resolution, reliability, scheduling, flexibility, payload capacity,
vulnerability, exploitation suitability, coverage, special innovations,
and others. NPIC cannot address itself to all these factors and, there-
fore, comments shall be limited to resolution, coverage, and exploita-
tion suitability.
2. The data shown in the enclosed table are based on information
available at NPIC and assume no IMC errors, perfect vehicle attitude
no degradation due to Coriolis acceleration) and no degradation atto
atmospheric effects.
3. An analysis of camera and vehicle data at NPIC has been ac-
complished and the comments offered below are the result of this analysis.
a. The LANYARD program should provide coverage in the surveil-
lance category (resolution of five feet on a side or greater), but it
appears to be relatively unsuitable for a surveillance role because of
the limited transverse coverage and lack of complete stereo (80 nautical
tiles stereo coverage with alternate 80-mile gaps). norther, the T/7
lens might preclude use of fine grain emulsions such as S.O. 132 for
year-round operations. The stellar camera is the only means whereby
attitude of the LANYARD vehicle may be determined. This camera. lens
axis is mounted in a horizontal position to one side and when the
vehicle is rolled in one direction the stellar camera will not produce
stellar images. For these reasons, it would appear that this system
Ms some serious drawbacks which should be carefully considered.
Handle via BYE1
Control System
-1 r
I OUP I
Excludalfr ad
unmak
if
01-77:7,7 ape
, ' '''".;
I
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/08: CIA-RDP78B0570iA000300130001-7
_
t
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/08: CIA-liDP78B05707A000300130001-7
C .1
BYE-3597-62
Page 2
b. The "3" program might be considered for gradual phase-in
so that the present KH-4 system could be continued as required if the
system did not prove reliable.
c. The M-2 proposal night be considered as a more advanced
"workhorse" in the surveillance area because of its better ground
resolution, ccemlete stereo coverage, and good transverse coverage.
This system, or a system of similar specifications, could be programmed
for utilization as soon as available in order to supplement, and per-
haps eventualy replace) the present KH-4 system.
d. All the systems on the enclosed table may be considered
as surveillance systems with the exception of GAMUT and VALLEY.
GAMBIT, with a photo resolution design goal of two feet, night be
considered for development to provide photographic quality approaching
that required for technical intelligence.. The conclusions expressed
in the reference would appear to support the need for the develowsinent
of the VALLEY system as soon as practicable.
e. Consideration might also be given to a system to provide
photo quality between GAMBIT and the M-2 (possibly in the three to five
foot detection site at 2:1 contrast-dynamic)
f, It is suggested that additional consideration be given
to the problem of achieving circular orbits at very low altitude.
This technique requires superb vehicle control, but it also provides
better scale photography and, therefore, better resolution. This
night prove cheaper than developing longer focal length cameras; for
example, photo quality achieved at 90 nautical miles altitude with a
24-inch focal length lens would require the use of c. 30" focal length
lens at 123 nautical miles (considered the present nominal altitude)
to achieve the same quality. On many occasions, photography has been
achieved from altitudes well above 200 nautical miles on KH-4 missions
producing unnecessarily small photo scales and resulting in reduced
information.
g. The incorporation of 1.5 mil film would essentially
double the film carrying capacity of any system and might be pro-
grammed as soon as possible.
h. It is urged that continued emphasis be given to stereo
coverage for both surveillance and technical intelligence systems.
4. The request from the Deputy Director for Research, CIA,
for HNC camnentory on proposed future reconnaissance systems is
JUd].11
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/08: CIA-RDP78605707A000300130001-7
CEPPXT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/08: CIA4DP781305707A000300130001-7
Bra-3597-62
Page 3
welcomed, and it is hoped that this type of liaison will be maintained.
It is believed that the experience NTTC has obtained in working with
all types of photography could be helpful to NRO in its consideration
of future systems.
.ABTRUR C. LUNDAHL
Director
National Photographic Interpretation Center
Distribution:
Copy I - DDR/CIA
2 -Dir/NPIC
5 - c/simpsAmic
Attachment
50X1
Tr9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/08: CIA-RDP78805707A000300130001-7
Attachment I
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/08: CIA-RDP781305707A000300130001-7
tor 4UALI.
DATA BASED ON INFORMATION AVAILAME AT WIC
BYEs3597,6?
1%
Handle via BYEMAII,
Central Systarn 741
F.L.
Film
Width
Stereo
T-Stop
Detection Size
(2:1 Contrast-Dynamic)
Coverage at 123 nm altitude
with 3 ndl film
Ka-4
24"
70 mm
Complete
T/4
13.5, itek
10' Lockheed
172 it 30,657 mm
4"
70 mm
Complete
T/4
13.5, Itek
10" Lockheed
172 x 61,314 nm
M-2
40"
5"
complete
T/4
7.5'
1 )-
142 x 23,860 mm
LANYARDN
66"
5"
In stereo
mode 80 nm
stereo and
80 nm gaps
TM
5.6'
'47 it 25,200 nm
201
(698 BJ)
36"
6.6"
Complete
T/5
9.8'
172 x 66,200 nm
GAMBIT
77"
9.5"
350 targets
can be cov-
ered in
stereo
T/5
(Approx)
2 - 3' Design goal
10.6 nm it variable
VALLEY
(System is unspecified)
50X1 ?
, ?"
TALENT
36"
2-9.5"
Essentinlly
complete
stereo
coverage
T/11
1.3, on S.O. 1188-
film
78 x 1624 nm
TALENT WAS ADDED TO THIS CHART FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES.
Note: NPIC has discussed the detection size of KH-4 and J with both Itek and Lockheed. Itek assumes
125 1/mm at 2:1 contrast-dynamic (10' detection size) and Lockheed assumes 90 1/mm at 2:1
Handle via BAN contrast-dynamdc (13.5' detection size).
. 1-77 er.r.IFT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/08: CIA-RDP78805707A000300130001-7
GROUP 1
Excluded from automatic
daytugrelog and
decl=llication