THE EFFECTS OF PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUND RESOLUTION ON PHOTO INTERPRETATION, PROGRESS REPORT #2

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00873A001600040036-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 22, 2012
• Sequence Number: 36
• Publication Date: November 19, 1969
• Content Type: REPORT

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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/22 :CIA-RDP79B00873A001600040036-5 ~7
THE EFFECTS OF PHOTOGRAPHIC
GROUND RESOLUTION ON PHOTOINTERPRETATION
Progress Report No. 2, 19 November 1969
The proposal,to conduct the work under this contract
was submitted on 18 April 1969. The proposal was entitled,
"Proposal to Conduct Additional Research on the Effects of
Photographic Ground Resolution on Photointerpretation."
The proposal, which was incorporated in the contract, con-
tains the following statements:
"...it is proposed that two studies be done in the
following two phases:
Ia. A study of the effects of ground resolu-
tion on the interpretation of military
vehicles using scale models as targets
(the 'model' study).
lb. The preparation of materials for a study
of the effects of ground resolution on the.
interpretation of ground forces, using
real ground force equipment and personnel
as targets (the 'field' study).
Execution of the 'field' study. This pro-
posal is to conduct Phase I only."
Phase Ia, the "model" study, was actually in progress
at the-time the 18 April 1969 proposal to conduct additional
research was submitted. The work was being done under
Contract We expected that the funds
to conduct the additional proposed research would simply
be added to the existing contract so the "model" study was
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/22 :CIA-RDP79B00873A001600040036-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/22 :CIA-RDP79B00873A001600040036-5
included in the work statement to establish the continuity
of the work.
1. Completed the "model" study. A draft of the
technical report, "A Comparison of Line-
Scan and Photographic Images for Target
Identification," was delivered to the
sponsor on 28 October. and two briefings on
the results of the study were given in
Washington on the same day. A critique of
the draft of the report was obtained from
the technical monitor and the final version
of the report is currently being prepared.
The results of the study showed the effects
on target-identification performance of
.photographic ground resolution, and the
effects on such performance of line-scan
image signal-to-noise ratio and number-of-
scans per target. The study was the first
known attempt to relate line-scan and photo-
graphic images in terms of photointerpreter
performance. Although models were used as
targets rather than real vehicles, the data
are undoubtedly. useful and indicate clearly
the importance of continuing the work..
2. Gathered high resolution photography over
Aberdeen Proving Ground. The photography
contains a large number of ground-order-of-
battle targets, tanks, and artillery pieces.
It also contains test targets and other
objects--triangles, squares, etc.--that may
be used in mensuration and psychophysical
studies.
We are examining the photography to select the targets
to be used in the next study so that the ground-truth re-
quirements can be specified.
We have discussed preparing the line-scan and photo-
graphic images with
As we explained in the previous progress report,
obtaining the photography over Aberdeen Proving Ground was
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/22 :CIA-RDP79B00873A001600040036-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/22 :CIA-RDP79B00873A001600040036-5
more time consuming than we expected. .First, it was
found that few aircraft/camera systems could fulfill the
.photographic requirements. Then, after an appropriate
system had been obtained,-the flight plans prepared, and
the test targets placed on the ground, there were delays
due to camera malfunctions and poor weather. For these
reasons, we request an extension in time of six months,
without additional funds. ,
A proposal is currently being prepared for "Phase.
II: Execution of the'^~field'=study." The phrase "eXe-
cution of the t''field?'; study" may be misleading. It is
.not intended to mean collecting the photography, as that
has already-been done. Rather, we propose to conduct
an experimental study including a).collecting performance
data from PIs, b) analyzing the data, and c) preparing
the technical report.
The original contract costs) As of
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1 November 1969 Thad been spent, leaving
costs remaining in the contract. These funds STAT
will be used to prepare the line-scan and photographic
images to be used in the experimental study (Phase II).
They will be made from the Aberdeen photography. As
mentioned, discussions have been h'e1d with people at~
about the preparation of the images. We STAT
are seeking the most economical method of obtaining them,
but we recognize that they must be thoroughly specified
in physical terms, including specifications in terms of
both photographic and line-scan image parameters.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/22 :CIA-RDP79B00873A001600040036-5