PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION OF WORLD GEODETIC REFERENCE SYSTEM 1984

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00158R000800010008-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 30, 2010
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: July 15, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

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EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT
Routing Slip
ACTION
INFO
DATE
INITIAL
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DOA
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Chn/NIC
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Com$
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D/EEO
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?D/PerS
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D/OEA
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C/PAD/DEA
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SA/IA
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AO/DC1
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C/IPWOIS
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 Approved For Release 2010/03/30: CIA-RDP85M00158R000800010008-7')
the acutiw Re gist
DEFENSE MAPPING AGENCY
BU'LDNG 56 US NASA, OBSEP~'A'CP
WAS- N013% .,. 23305
15 JUL 19aj
SUBJECT: Proposed Implementation of World Geodetic Reference System 1984
TO: SEE DISTRIBUTION LIST
1. In order to satisfy the demands of advanced weapons systems, to support
a host of navigational systems and to provide the DoD with a more accurate
geodetic model of the earth, the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) is developing
an updated World Geodetic System (WGS). The new system draws on a much
expanded data set far in excess of the data base used for the development of
of WGS-72. Included in these data sets are:
a. Satellite radar altimetry observational data over large ocean areas
(Geodynamic Experiment Ocean Satellite (GEOS-3), Sea Satellite (Seasat-1))
b. Major surface gravity data bases
c. Additional satellite tracking data, and
d. Widespread scale control determinations.
2. The implementation of a new WGS will provide improved datum transformation
constants and an improved model of the earth's gravity field. The gravity
field associated with WGS-72 was based on surface gravity data and satellite
tracking information available as of December 1972. Since 1972 additional
data have been obtained which clearly indicate the deficiencies in the 1972
model. In addition to the direct effect on missile trajectories, the indirect
effect on determining elevation above sea level from any earth centered system
(e.g., Navy Navigation Satellite System (NNSS), Global Positioning System (GPS),
or other positioning systems) is significant. Commercial users of the NNSS have
abandoned use of the WGS-72 gravity field because of its inaccuracies. The
NAVSTAR Global Positioning System will incorporate the new WGS. Other para-
meters of a world geodetic system which are of direct concern to DoD users
are the size and shape of the ellipsoid and the transformation constants
between local, preferred, and world datums. The size and shape change from
WGS-72 is negligible; however, the set of points at which comparisons between
local, preferred and world datums have been obtained has been greatly expanded.
This should result in a better fit of the new WGS to a broad range of local
datums.
3. DMA proposes to implement WGS-84 at the end of December 1984. Data
defining the system are scheduled to be available by July 1984. The proposed
implementation date was selected to be compatible with other major changes
which are occurring; namely:
Decade of Progress - Decade of Cha!ler. ( e
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a. The recomputation of the North American Datum (NAD 83) which will be
compatible with WGS-84, and which will be implemented in late 1984.
b. The abandonment by the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) of epoch B1950.0
in favor of J2000.0 beginning in January 1984.
The proposed coordinated implementation should reduce the number of times that
changes are required.
4. The impact of this change will be negligible for users of small scale
products or those products where relative accuracy is the primary consideration.
The impact will be significant for those dealing with long range trajectories
or elevations relative to mean sea level which have been determined using space
based systems. DMA will evaluate the magnitude of the changes and promulgate
the information to users shortly after the WGS-84 defining parameters have
been determined.
7 i-
LPWRENCE F'. RS
Deputy Director, Management
and Technology
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DISTRIBUTION LIST
Commander in Chief, Atlantic
ATTN: J37
Norfolk, Virginia 23511
Commander in Chief
Aerospace Defense Command
ATTN: INX
Peterson AFB, Colorado
Commander in Chief
Military Airlift Command
ATTN: INAT
Scott AFB, Illinois 62225
Commander in Chief
U.S. European Command
ATTN: ECJ2-T
APO New York 09128
Commander in Chief
Pacific Command
ATTN: J37
Camp H. M. Smith, HI 96861
Commander in Chief
Headquarters, Central Command
ATTN: CCJ2-TS
MacDill AFB, Florida 33608
Commander in Chief
U.S. Pacific Fleet
ATTN: MC&G Section (02'12)
Pearl Harbor, HI 96860
Commander in Chief
U.S. Southern Command
ATTN: SCJ2
APO Miami 34003
Commander in Chief
United States Readiness Command
ATTN: RCJ2-PR
MacDill AFB, Florida 33608
Commander in Chief
Strategic Air Command
ATTN: SAC/INT
Offutt AFB, Nebraska 68113
Assistant Chief of Staff
for Intelligence
ATTN: DAMI-ISP
Department of the Army
Washington, D.C. 20310
Commander
Tactical Air Command
ATTN: INAT
Langley AFB, VA 23665
Chief of Naval Operations
Department of the Navy
ATTN: OP-952
Washington, D.C. 20350
Assistant Chief of Staff,
Intelligence
Department of the Air Force
ATTN: AFIS/INOTB
Washington, D.C. 20330
Commandant
U.S. Marine Corps
ATTN: INTM
Washington, D.C. 20380
Office of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff
ATTN: J-3/ESD
Washington, D.C. 20301
Director
Defense Intelligence Agency
ATTN: DB
Washington, D.C. 20301
Director
Joint Strategic Target
Planning Staff
ATTN: JLTD
Offutt AFB, Nebraska 68113
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
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Director
National Security Agency
ATTN: T1223
Ft. George Meade, MD 20755
Commanding Officer
Naval Oceanographic Office
NSTL Station
Bay St. Louis, MS 39522
Commander
Ballistic Missile Office
ATTN: MNNAG
Norton AFB, CA 92409
Commander
Ballistic Missile Office
ATTN: MNNXC
Norton AFB, CA 92409
Director
Strategic Systems Project Office
ATTN: SP-23
Washington, D.C. 20376
Director
Strategic Systems Project Office
ATTN: SP-24
Washington, D.C. 20376
Commander
Naval Oceanographic Office
ATTN: Dr. Thomas E. Davis
NSTL Station
Bay St. Louis, MS 39529
Commander
Naval Oceanographic Office
ATTN: Mr. John G. Hankins
NSTL Station
Bay St. Louis, MS 39529
Commander
Naval Surface Weapons Center
ATTN: Dr. R. Anderle
Dahlgren, VA 22448
Director
Charting and Geodetic Services
National Ocean Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (N/CG)
6001 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20852
Commanding Officer
Naval Ocean Research and
Development Activity
NSTL Station
Bay St. Louis, MS 39529
Commander
Air Force Systems Command
ATTN: Dr. Don Eckhardt
Hanscom Air Force Base, MA 01730
Dr. G. Westerhout
Scientific Director
U.S. Naval Observatory
Building 1
Washington, D. C. 20390
Director
National Center
U.S. Geological Survey
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 22092
Commander
Western Space and Missile Center
Vandenburg AFB, CA 93437
Commander
Eastern Space and Missile Center
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
Commander
Headquarters Space Division
ATTN: SD/YEE
Los Angeles Air Force Station
P.O. Box 92960, Worldway Postal Center
Los Angeles, CA 90009
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Director
DMA Aerospace Center
ATTN: Technical Director
3200 South Second Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
Director
DMA Aerospace Center
ATTN: ST
3200 South Second Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
Director
DMA Hydrographic/Topographic Center
ATTN: Technical Director
6500 Brookes Lane, NW
Washington, D.C. 20315
Director
DMA Hydrographic/Topographic Center
ATTN: ST
6500 Brookes Lane, NW
Washington, D.C. 20315
Director
DMA Hydrographic/Topographic Center
ATTN: GS
6500 Brookes Lane, NW
Washington, D.C. 20315
Director
DMA Office of Distribution Services
Washington, D.C. 20315
Director
Defense Mapping School
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
Director
DMA Inter American Geodetic Survey
Building 144
Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234
Director
DMA Special Program Office for
Exploitation Modernization
8301 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1100
McLean, Virginia 22102
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