REQUIREMENTS FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01154A000200040002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2001
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: November 27, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

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27 November 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR: DI)I Member, Research and Development
SUBJECT s Requirements for Research and Development
REFERENCE s Your Memo to D/BGI Dated 13 November 1970,
Same Subject
Following are R&D requirements of the Office of Basic and
Geographic Intelligence considered to be valid over the next five yearsr
GEOGRAPHIC
SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION
1. Population Characteristics (Priority 1)
This information should be detailed enough to permit a more
d description of the distribution and density of population in
any given area. Information is needed on ethnic differentiations,
such as physical characteristics, language, dress, housing; and
even more elusive data treating religious affiliation, tribal affi.lia-
mninoritv, sroruos. attitudes, objectives, mores. and technical
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Food Six ly Priority 2)
Detailed information is needed on the distribution of different
kinds of crops, their normal yield in an optimum growing period,
the effect of weather and disasters on their yield, innovation
programs (Green Revolution). Growth areas, yield, and acreage
of other significant crops with intelligence significance -- such
as those used in producing for narcotics -- are also needed.
Maritime fisheries, pond culture of fish, and developments in
synthetic protein will continue to be important.
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Oceanography (Priority 1)
As underwater capabilities of the technically developed
nations increase, to will the need for accurate intelligence on
the national security implications of these capabilities. The
Intelligence Community's capability to gather information on
4. Environmental Pollution (Priorit 3)
Issues involving pollution in the environment are increas-
ingly likely to become sources of contention among nations.
they do, the lack of basic data, or the withholding of it. ma
INFORMATION PROCESSING
5. Phot2grap+hy (Priority 1)
a. U increasing tensions or an upsurge in nationalism on
the areas denied to our usual methods of information procurement,
we will be forced to rely increasingly on aerial photography. In
addition, photography may be the sale source of certain types of
data, especially for underdeveloped areas. Methods should be
developed for identifying from photography the tangible population
characteristics enumerated above (number, distribution, housing)
as well as correlations that will aid in determining lose tangible
characteristics such as loyalties and mores. All retrieval method
determination of the coverage needed, and provides copies immedi
will need to be designed so that they will permit quick and accurat e
atel
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c. Rapid reconnaissance mapping photography for areas
now available but likely to be denied is urgently needed. Good
quality large-scale topographic maps are sot available for ;much
of the underdeveloped world. Aerial photography holds the key
to correcting this deficiency.
changes shown on the newer photogr
serial photography would facilitate identification of significant
d. A device such as or use
b. C teris4ed Data Base jPriori!j 21
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Development of a computerized geographic inteiigonce
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base and a retrieval system with all area Information coded by
geographic coordinates or grid cells is needed. The development
of a better optical character reader (OCR) for inputting the data
is a critical bottleneck. There is a need for an OCR capable of
handling all typos of fonts, which will obviate the need to retype
the data before inputting the file. The system. should have the
capability for storing and retrieving both Quantitative and ualita _:
tivee Information by areas, ad.
should incorporate th. ma 'e- ing capabilities existing systems
such as An analyst in the Magazine
gilding s ou be a e to remotely view the CIA Library's and
Map Z3brary's title-boldiags on a topic of Interest and, by preesain
button on the console automatically place an order for a book or
map, charge it to the particular analyst, and make possible the
rapid delivery of the book to the analyst.
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CARTOGEAPI IC
INFORMATION PROCMING
7. Digitiser (Prie rity i}
a. A need exists for automating the digitizing process.
There is evidence that the Cartography Division will be asked
to digitize huge quantities of contour lines in a short time span.
Although. line scanners are available on the market and will
provide the X and Y value, there is no automated system yet
developed which will produce the Z value. It is anticipated that
considerable funding will be required to develop the essential
hardware.
b. The DDS digital plotter to currently being driven by a
'PDP-8 which has additional computer capabilities. There is a
need for an interactive system with a digitizer whereby the
operator is assured that his work is In fact being recorded, and
o method developed where the operator can, at any time, check
what has been digitized. If errors are detected, corrections can
be made immediately thereby raving considerable time over
the present system of completing a digitizing project, producing
a plot tape, and then plotting the entire job before editing can
take place. Consultations with ORD indicate that the PDP-8 can
be utilized to accomplish this task. Funding, if any, would be
minimal.
8. Color XeregrALB!M (Priority 3)
The demand for visual aids for briefing purposes has rise
sharply over the past few years and frequently involves convertin;
existing hard-copy graphics into vugraphs. If separation plates
of the required graphic are available, the problem is relatively
simple. But if the separation plates are not available in the tiles
a full-fledged color separating operation must ensue. The Minne-
sota Mining Corporation has under development a piece of hardware
which will produce "instant vugraphs", but the resolution of the
color transparency has been judged to be substandard. It would be
advisable to investigate this 3-M process and perhaps others in
order to develop an acceptable system. Funding requirements are
unknown and would depend on the initial findings of any investigation.
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t0, Lasser ;Zl r (Priority i) 25X1 X1
It is anticipated that, within the next five years, CWw~
Division will have implemented the full potential of the
cats that such an instrument will generate type, draft area tones,
produce hill shading, prepare color copy via its three frequency
in producing a laser-platter. Predictions in trade journals fndi-
time, we should take a hard look at the developments taking g
which I due for delivery in December 1970, and the
which is receiving acceptance tests. At the
Informal discussions have taken place with ORD on the
developments of this piece of equipment -- sartt
little-known system in view of the fact that the Cartography Division
is in the early stages of developing a multi-million point data bank
where present storage techniques are cumbersome and possibly
four ,pages. It seem, advisable to investigate the potential of this
whereby the entire telephone directory for Tokyo can be star
l t, Bola (Priority 3)
The Japanese Telephone
25)1A 25X1A9A
Distribution:
O&1 - Addressee Deputy Director
1 - Ch/GD
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2 - D/BGI SE~RET
DD/BGI:RTA:jrnt Nov 70
output,, and will greatly assist in handling problems in computer