REQUIREMENT FOR GEODETIC ACCURACY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP92B01090R002600290026-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 29, 2004
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: February 14, 1958
• Content Type: MEMO

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14 February 1958
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Project Director
SUBJECT t Requirement for Geodetic Accuracy
1. In order to utilize ballistic missiles, botk of intermediate
range and of intercontinental ranges the Air Force requires knowledge
of the location botk of the launch site and of the ground zero on the World
Datum, The characteristics of the first generation of such missiles are
such that if the error in locating these points relative to each other is
greater than additional missiles must be launched at the targets
in order to give an acceptable probability of damage. There is, therefore,:
a requirement to be able to position all war plan targets with respect to
missile launch sites with an error not greater than 25X1
2. Until very recently, the geodetic data available to the United 25X1
States were such that errors in excess ere to be expected
I ~~ lu EMU greater art 03L s areas the errors ranged
between In fact, today the finished geodetic
information available to us still contains errors of this order of magnitude.
3. As a result of this situation, the Air Force undertook to 25X1
determine methods whereby these errors could be reduced. In carrying
out this projects, some locations I I exclusive
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secured.. It has been determined by the Georgetown Observatory? and
independently by the Astrophysical Observatory of the Smithsonian
Institution and the Aeronautical Chart and Information Centers that 25X1
these positions can generally be referenced mathematic~ y to the World
Datum with an order of accuracy of
4. These positions are not of significance to us unless they can
be related to targets in our current and future war plans.
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5, There are two ways by which the required relationship can
be established, and each way requires the use of aerial photographyt
a. When the target lies in an area which is covered by
photography, and one or more of the position points is covered
by the same photograph,, the location of the target can readily be
determined with respect to the position points and can therefrom
be computed to the World Datum.
b, When the target does not lie in an area immediately
adjacent to one of the position points, but a line of photography
can be obtained which covers both the target and some of the
position points, then the target can be referenced to the position
points by photogrammetric triangulation, and thence reduced
mathematically to the World Datum.
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6. In each of the instances above, the reduction of the target to
the World Datum can, more often than not, be within the required accuracy
limit, In addition, it appears that in the case of photo - rammetric
triangulation the line of photography can be or
longer, and providing that each end of the line of photography contains
position points, then a target in the center of the line of photography can
be located to within the
7. In orders then, to be able to have a reasonable probability
of destroying war plan targets with ballistic missiles without launching
large numbers of missiles at each target,, the Air Force will have a
requirement for lines of photography of various lengths between certain
cities which will be named later.. The cities which will be named will
be determined by the existence of one or more of the previously mentioned
position points which can readily be identified within the city? These
lines of photography will be so designated as to pass over war plan
targets whose positions must be fixed with respect to the World Datum,.
8, In many, if not most, instances, the required lines of photogw
raphy could be acquired not at the expense of coverage of important
intelligence objectives but in addition to such coverage. This could be
accomplished by modifying routing in such a way as to accomplish the
lines of photography en route to or from the intelligence objectives,
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9? It is our understanding that changes in operational procedure
are currently under way which would facilitate the exploitation for purposes
of geodetic positioning of coverage now in our hands as well as facilitating
exploitation of new coverage. These changes in summary are as follows;
a. Camera calibration, which would permit a more precise
photogrammetric analysis, (These data have not heretofore been
available?)
b+ Determination of exterior geometry, which would provide
more precise information with regard to camera geometry interw
relationships,.
These innovations will permit a fuller exploitation of the photography by
raising the inherent capability of the systems from. that of a reconnaissance
to a m etrical level,
10. Inasmuch as the control points tend to cluster about lines of
communication, some of which are of current interest in connection with
requirements on mobile IRBM and ICBM launch sites, it is anticipated
that there may, well be collection of great use in geodetic positioning as
a result of coverage of highest priority targets in weather areas in
western USSR. Accordingly, at this time no recommendation is made to
the Project for taking into account requirements for geodetic positioning
in that area of the USSR,
11, However,, it would be highly desirable for Q erations' Planning
Target Mated s ro action w r orce
to the Intelligence Officer of the Project control points in weather Areas@
inclusive with most immediate attention onr __J Control
points in weather Areaswiil be examined by HTAUTOMAT in terms
of existing coverage bef e g forwarded to Operations,
12, Note is taken of the fact that as the Air Force Targeting
Program in connection with geodetic positioning gets under way there
are dangers of duplication with work being accomplished or planned at
HTAUTOMAT and that work accomplished at HTAUTOMAT can be of
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use to the Air Force program,. Accordingly, it has been, suggested that
these two organizations consult and lay their plans so as to minimize
duplication and obtain the greatest benefits from their respective efforts..
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1 Pro ject Director
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