FINAL REPORT FOR AERIAL EQUIPMENT PROGRAM UNDER HF - 20-80

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP66B00762R000100210001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 40
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 21, 1999
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 25, 1960
• Content Type: REPORT

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FINAL REPORT'
for
'AERIAL EQUIPMENT PROGRAM'
under
HF - 20-80
STATINTL
PROJECT MANAGER:
VICE PRESIDENT - RECONNAISSANCE:
DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING:
STATINTL
Contributing Authors:
STATINTL
Copy No.
Report No. 5619
Number of Pages 37 + ii Date _mIa,ch ].960
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
I. INTRODUCTION . . r r . ? l
It. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?
III. GENERAL HISTORY . . ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ? . . . . 5
IV. GENERAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS. . . . . . . . . ? * . . . . 6
V. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
A. Panoramic Camera System . . . . . ? . ? . . . ? 9
B. Viewing and Hand Control System . . . . . . . ? 15
C. Optical Systems For The Camera Configurations ? 19
VI? CONCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ? . 34
VI I. APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
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1
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
FIGURE NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE
I. MARK II TRACKING CAMERA, SHOWING FOR-
WARD COVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
It. SCANNING DIRECTION AND LIMITS. . . . . . 11
VIEW OF CAMERA SHOWING ELECTRICAL AND.
MECHANICAL COMPONENTS. . . . . . . . . . 12
IV. FILM FORMAT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
V. FILM COMPARTMENT OF CAMERA, WITH COVER,,
FILM SPOOLS, AND TIME INDICATOR REMOVED. 14
DRIFTSIGHT, HAND CONTROL AND JUNCTION. .
BOX* 0 ................16
24" f/8 LENS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
IX. 36" f/10 LENS . . . . . . . . ... . . . 21
X. C SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
XI. OPTICAL SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM. . . . . . . . 26
XII. 100" COLLIMATOR. . . . . . . . . . ... . 27
XIII. 300" COLLIMATOR .. 28
XVI. ELECTRICAL TEST SET . . . . . . . . . . . 30
XV. LIGHT BOX WITH COVER OPEN TO SHOW INTER-
IOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
XVI. FIELD TEST EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . 32
XVII. BENCH TEST EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . 33
I
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1. INTRODUCTION
This report is a brief summary of the activities carried
out by The Perkin-Elmer Corporation in its participation in the Aerial
c
Equipment Program under- It presents the primary objective of
this activity, gives the historical developments, and describes the
equipment supplied by this Corporation. Technical advancements which
resulted are also discussed.
1
Engineering Report No. 5619
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II. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
This firm was delegated certain areas of responsibility in optical
instrumentation. The primary purpose of this optical instrumentation was
to supply high altitude surveillance.
Equipment already in existence was examined and determined to be
basically suitable for the required purpose. This equipment was completely
redesigned and engineered for maximum performance and reliability.
The tables on the following two pages describe the equipment and
coverage intended for the various requirements of the surveillance mission.
I
I
Engineering Report No. 5619
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CAMERA CONFIGURATION CHARACTERISTICS
M
Configuration
Tracker
Al
A2
B
C
M1
M2
M1
112
253.
Auxiliary in-
Mapping and medium
Medium
Medium scale
Spotting camera
Mission
formation for
scale military
scale mill
military industrial
military industrial
Purpose
all configur-
industrial intelligence
tary indus
intelligence
intelligence
ations.
t
trial in-
telligence
Focal
Length
3"
6"
24"
-:24"
36"
36"
180"
180"
180"
Range-Photo
5000
5000
1080
3250
1725
2875
500
3500
1750
Flightline
stereo
stereo
stereo
stereo
stereo
stereo
stereo
single
double
Miles
spot photos
line
line
Area Cover-
ransverse-
horizon-to-
20 x 20
5 x 10
5 x 10
6.6 x 6.6
6.6 x 6.6
1 x 1
1 X 1
1 x 1
age
horizon.
miles
miles
miles
miles
miles
mile
mile
mile
Vertical Photo
Flt. path -10 mi.
Angular Cover-
42? along flt.
186? total
115? total -
115? total 1
Hor.-to-
86? total
1200 total
1200 total
120?. tot
age
Transverse
path X
1800 transverse
740 per camera
. 1
41?per camera;
j
41opercanrr
hor.
28 ? per exp
28?per exp
4? per exp
40 per expi
4?per ex
Ground Scale
1:280,030_.
1:140,000
1:35,000
1:35,000
1:23,300
1:23,300
1:4670
1:4670
1:4670
Vertical
Photo
Ground Reso-
18 ft
18 ft.
4 ft.
4 ft.
2.5 ft.
2.5 ft.
3/8 ft.
3/8 ft.
3/Cft.
lution
.
Vertical }hoto
Provide cont.
Maps for location and
Identifi-
Identification and
Detail analysis of installatio,
Uses of
hor.to hor. cov,
of mission
identification of in-
cation of
analysis of install-
for technical and economic in-
Information
.
Mfpimed.
dustrial installations
industrial
ations for technical
formation
scale m 11 itary
installa-
and economic infor-
industrial in-
tions
mation
telligence.
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CAMEPA CONFIGURATION LATER% A,L CCU RA G
A
A,
6" TR IMET
ONE 24" ROCKING CAMERA
HORIZON LINE MAX. COVERAGE
HORIZON LINE MAX. COVERAGE
74?mP~
SINGLE
EXPOSURE
GROUND 186?
115?8 (Y) SINGLE
EXPOSURE
OVERAGE
C
GROUND COVERAGE
20 mi
I ~- 10 mi-~
42 mi
651 mi
651 mi
CHARTER CA'. : -
. ;2
THREE 24"FIXED CAMERAS
3" PRISM LATERAL
SWEEP
MAX. COVERAGE
HORIZON LINE
;
o$) MAX. COVERAGE
4
1
HORIZON LINE 180?
?
115'8
T
Y
SINGLE
GROUND
EXPOSURE
GROUND COVERAGE
I--10 m i --{
42 mi
6511
651mi
E'
iod3 1
2
B tilada
.
ONE 36" ROCKING LENS CAMERA
V
_
ONE 36 ROCKING LENS=CAMER Max
COVERAGE
ERAGE
MAX. CO
.
SINGLE
182?
SINGLE
HORIZON LINE EXr^-' SURE
2a 4' COVERAGE
EXPOSURE
HORIZON LINE COVERAGE
c 8Tpl
GROUND 85
?
4
GROUND
rr
6.5r~i {
f--24.7r i
651 mi
651 mi
1! ~! 3 A 7 1
fa I.I~e+Q..~.r .z+
C odvJ 1 C
U V
J
$ CAMERA ONc 180 V/IELDABLE LENS CA'>1ERA
DABLE LE
ONE 180' WIEL
MAX. ANGLE OF VIEW MAX. ANGLE_ OF V'E`X
HORIZON LINE HORIZON LINE
7? 120? 180?
GROUND SINGLE C!:UND SINGLE 4? it
4?1'EXPOSURE EXPOSURE
COVERAGE COVSRI~G-
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1
26 mi 26 mi
651mi 651 ri --,
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III. GENERAL HISTORY
Perkin-Elmer was given primary responsibility for a major portion
STATINTL
of the Aerial Equipment Program. In January, 1955, this Corporation formed STATINTL
a separate division which became known as the Projector Division.
took personal responsibil-
ity for the Projector Project.
In June 1957, Projector Division undertook to build equipment for
this contract which were modified versions of that supplied under the orig-
inal Projector Project established in 1955. This report discusses the op-
erations of the Projector Faiility, the equipment delivered by Perkin-Elmer,
and the performance of that equipment.
The primary functions of the Projector Facility were controlling,
defining, scheduling, coordinating, expediting, and integrating the various
phases of the program.
The facility was fully protected and equipped with private, mon-
itored telephone lines. The method followed was to conduct business on an
informal and personal basis;, on this basis to convey all essential informa-
tion without revelation of the program, its purpose, or other secure
information.
The prime contract with the customer was subdivided at this
facility to contracts with various subcontractors and with Perkin-Elmer.
Throughout the program, suppliers' meetings aided in detailing project
planning, served to coordinate broad planning efforts of the various
contractors, and helped solve,many of the current problems.
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IV. GENERAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
The entire photo ;reconnaissance system equipment was planned and
tailored to meet the needs of the mission. Mission requirements made it
1
essential to:
(a.) Obtain a continuous photographic recording which would
give maximum, high quality coverage of the general area
being surveyed. To satisfy the requirements for monitor-
ing the mission, a panoramic tracking camera, designed for
a similar program, was redesigned to meet needs of this
program.
(b.) Provide a means for an operator to visually observe this
area and equip that operator with a means of pointing
special photographic equipment. To satisfy the require-
ments f r operator viewing and control, a periscope-type
viewer, and hand control device were delivered.
(c.) Provide the precision optical systems for a number of
camera configurations for the survey and spotting functions.
These configurations were known as the Al , A2 , B and C
Configurations.
It was also nec4ssa.ry to test and maintain the equipment in the
plant and in the field. For this purpose, special support equipment was
also necessary. This equi~lment was considered in two groups: factory de-
velopment and test equipment, and field test and support equipment.
The equipment under this program was designed to be operated and/or
serviced by factory trained customer personnel. A field engineer, assigned
to this program, provided technical assistance and trained customer per-
sonnel for the purpose of maintaining high reliability in the use of this
equipment.
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The following chart lists the specific equipment assigned to
Perkin-Elmer, and describes the sub-contracting organization.
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.Tracking,:
Camera
Viewing and
Control System
Opt. Design-P-E
Glass Mfg.-P-E
Mech. Design-P-E & DACO
Mech. Mfg.-DACO
Driftsight
Glass For
B
I Configurations
Opt. Design-SPICA
Glass Mfg.-P-E
Systems Respon.
For C
Configurations
Opt. Design-SPICA
Class Hfg.-P-E
Mech. Design-Hycon
Mech. Mfg.-Hycon
Opt. Design-PE Design-P-E
Glass Mfg.-P-E Mfg.
Mech. Design-PE
Mech. Mfg. -DACO FOIAb3a
EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED TO P-E
(And Sub-Contracting Organization)
Design-P-E
Mfg.-P-E
Glass For
A
Configurations
Al
Configuratim
Opt. Design-SPICA Opt. Design-SPICA
Glass Mfg.-P-E Glass Mfg, p-F
10011
Collimator
Opt. Design-P-E
Glass Mfg.-P-E
Mech. Design-P-E
Mech. Mfg.-P-E
The mechanical aspects of the A,B, & C Configurations
are discussed in the final report submitted directly to the
Government by Hycon Mfg. Co.
A2
Configuration
300"
Collimator
N MK I H/C
&
Compute r
Opt. Design-P-E
Glass Mfg.-P-E
Mech. Design-P-E
Mech. Mfg.-P-E
F
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e
f
V. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT
A. Panoramic Camera System
(Fig. Nos. I, II, III, IV and V)
1. Mark II Tracking Camera
It was clear at the inception of this program that a panoramic
monitor would be needed to photographically record the flight path. A pri-
mary requirement was to provide a camera of high image quality to give hor-
izon-to-horizon coverage with 60% overlap of the entire flight path. A
further requirement was to provide entirely automatic operation.
The resulting panoramic camera, often referred to as the Charter
Camera or Tracking Camera, proved to be a very useful and important instru-
ment. The unit employed scanning principles to obtain successive 180? pan-
oramic photographs and had the capability of a 60% stereo overlap. It was
fully automatic in operation and had a film capacity large enough to provide
horizon-to-horizon photographic coverage for a complete mission. Completely
self contained and requiring only a 28-volt dc power source, it weighed less
than 53 pounds fully loaded. No special accessories were needed; image motion
compensators, intervalometert, aperture controls and other devices necessary
to obtain sharp, clear images were built into the instrument. The entire
field was scanned through a small 5-inch diameter dome. The resulting photo-
graph, on 70mm film, had a 2.47 by 9.425-inch format. Data presentation which
appeared on each frame consisted of a level and time indicator.
Under close Perkin-Elmer direction throughout the course of the
contract, a portion of the design (in details only) plus drafting, manufactur-
ing, assembly, and test was subcontracted to DACO Instrument Company. A rigid
delivery schedule was established with DACO which was satisfactory to the pro
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Figure IL Scanning Direction and Limits
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Figure III. View of Camera Showing Electrical
and Mechanical Components
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ADJACENT PICTURE
( PRECEDING )
2.375 - INSIDE PERFORATIONS
2.47 - PICTURE WIDTH
IMC = ZERO AMPLITUDE
CAMERA
NADIR
.6 APPROX.
- 4.50
*
DIMENSION
WHEN THERE IS
'- 1.2 -
APPROX.
4.712
NO ROLL
LEVEL INDICATOR IMAGE
APPROX. 0.45" DIA.
EACH DIVISION = I DEGREE OR
0.0524" SHIFT OF GROUND NADIR.
SEE ENLARGED VIEW.
TIME INDICATOR IMAGE
APPROX. 0.4 DIA.
INDICATES TIME OF COMPLETION
OF EACH EXPOSURE
9.425* LENGTH OF PICTURE FOR 180' SCAN
* DIMENSIONS LOCATING HORIZONS DO NOT
TAKE ACCOUNT OF EARTH'S CURVATURE.
Figure iv. Film Format
70 MM
2.754"
ENLARGED VIEW
3' DOWNWARD PITCH AND
4' RIGHT ROLL IS INDICATED
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Figure V. Film Compartment of Camera, With Cover, Film
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B. VLe_WLngi and 1 kind Control Systems
(Fig. Nos. VI, VII)
To make the reconnaissance system effective, it was necessary to
(1) equip the operator with a viewing device to observe the terrain and
areas of general interest over which he was operating and (2) to equip him
with a control device to control the various modes of operation of the diff-
erent camera configurations.
The Hand Control itself was an electromechanical device which
provided basic control of the periscope viewing mechanism-and also delivered
information to and partially controlled the equipment configurations. It
was a panel-mounted tracking control consisting primarily'of a number of
gear drive mechanisms and electrical components. It was equipped with both
a master ON-OFF switch for energizing related equipment in the overall system
and an OFF-STANBDY-MODE selector switch for turning the automatic tracking
feature off, placing it on standby, or selecting any one of three modes of
operation. A control handle on the'unit provided azimuth and elevation con-
trol of the periscope line of-sight, and a switch permitted changing power
(magnification) of the periscope by electrical drive. The Hand Control supplied
was a modification of a similar Hand Control (Mark I) designed earlier. The
earlier model incorporated V/H adjustments intended for use primarily with
a Memory-Computer Unit needed for the C system. Rather than develope a new
Hand Control, the existing one was modified to meet the needs of the customer.
Adjustments for V/H and for correction of drift were included, as well as a
storage switch for energizing a Memory Unit. While no Memory Unit was used with
the equipment, this switch which was included in earlier Hand Controls was
allowed to remain in this design in the event such a unit was considered neces-
sary. Finally, several test lamps for fault-proof testing of related equip-
ment were incorporated in the device.
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Fissure VI. Driftsight, Hand Control and Junction Box
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Improvements were made wherever possible over earlier models de-
livered prior to the start of this particular contract. A specially dipped
neoprene boot was used as a protective device over the bail mechanism, and
replaced an earlier rubber boot which had been affected by the ozone.environ-
ment. A synchro transmitter on the Hand Control (and receiver on the Drift-
sight) provided signals for azimuth and elevation control of the periscope
line of sight, eliminating the manual control cables which, in earlier models,
had developed high friction in the cold environments.
A significant development occurred in the course of the contract
when the customer felt need of a C Configuration. The V/H and Memory Unit
connections were albwed to remain in the Hand Control for just such an
occasion. However, it was found that the modifications made to the Hand Con-
trol did not permit utilizing the memory unit without significant changes.
As a result it was necessary for the customer to borrow Mark I Control
equipment for the C Configuration.
The periscope-type viewing device was designed to permit the oper-
ator to see beneath the vehicle and to the rear, as well as to acquire
targets. The periscope, which later became known as the Driftsight, was
an in-line tracking device equipped with a dual prism scanning head and
display type eyepiece. Scanning in azimuth and elevation was accomplished
by a dome-protected rotatable scanning prism at the objective end of the
optical system. Synchro signals from the Hand Control provided control
for azimuth and elevation scanning. By proper calibration with the Hand
Control, azimuth and elevation coordinates of a selected target could
be determined.
A power changer, increasing the power and reducing the field was
incorporated. During the change in magnification, the image always remained in
focus. The power selector was mounted on the Hand Control panel.
As mentioned earlier, one of the requirements was to use the Peris-
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cope in conjunction with the Hand Control to determine velocity-height (V/H)
rates as well as drift. -V/H rate determinations were made by adjusting the
elevation scan rate of the periscope's scanning head until a viewed target
did not move with respect to a reticle in the periscope. Direct calibration
of the scan rate adjustment permitted determination of.the V/R ratio. Drift
determination was accomplished by rotating the scanning head to compensate
for a horizontal or diagonal movement of the target with respect to a fixed
reference.
Design considerations of the periscope were to make it as light-
weight as possible, thoroughly reliable and easily installed. -These require-
ments were met by incorporation of detachable sections for easy installation,
and by use of servo motors to provide scanning control from the Hand Control.
One of the early operational problems of the Driftsight was fogging of the
dome. This is now being rectified on a separate contract, with the''.employ-;
ment of pre-purified nitrogen as a desiccant and a rather sophisticated desi-
ccating procedure.
I
C. The Optical Systems Of The Camera
(Fig. Nos. VIII,; IX,. R' )
The A Configuration was based upon the use of a 24" focal length,,
f/8 aperture lens,and the~B Configuration, on a 36" f/10 lens with a light-
weight elliptically shaped,mirror. The C Configuration employed a 180-inch
focal length system with afire-imaging '!SKEW-Z" optical configuration. Figures
VIII through X show the lens and system schematics.
Of particular significance was the work done on the C system. During
the course of this contract,'a previous customer who had been developing and
testing this system decided to terminate that phase of this activity. Re-
cognizing the significance of having such a system operational, the FOG custo-
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FIG. VIII. 24" f/8 LENS
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A
FIG. IR. 36" f/10 LENS
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C SYSTEM
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mer, in March of 1958, took over the system and initiated a program to de-
velop.. it. The work was undertaken by The Perkin-Elmer Corporation as prime
contractor with the continuous participation of a sub-contractor, and part
time assistance from vibration consultants. The program undertaken was an
evaluation, product improvement, and flight testing program.
The initial work on this program was an evaluation of the config-
uration, conducted from 15 March to 14 May, 1958. The principal objective
was to reduce the speculation regarding possible performance. In actual
fact, the entire evaluation portion was devoted to the investigation of one
program -- the problem of vibration - induced degradation of the image. At
the end of the evaluation, it was concluded that 20 to 25 1/mm could be ob-
tained operationally if certain modifications were made, but this conclusion
was still speculative...
The product improvement phase of the operation consisted largely of
work intended to reduce vibration. It involved re-design of certain function-
al components and stiffening of optical support structures and various other
components. A major contributing factor to the relatively poor results of
the system was the shutter which was the cause of very large mechanical ex-
citation. A shutter was developed which showed a very large improvement over
the original. The prime contractor did not invest effort to improve the op-
tical system, which was considered acceptable for operation. Rather, effort
was concentrated on electro-mechanical components, developed by a sub-contract-
The flight test program consisted of four tests, the last two of
which demonstrated that good focus was obtainable. The resulting photographs
showed a substantial improvement over previous results, and the oscillograph
records of in-flight vibration indicated that reduction to tolerable levels had
been achieved. It was also concluded that some additional work should be done
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on stabilization and INC.
An effort to clear up the system was then started, however, consid-
erable difficulties developed, including shutter problems and the anticipated
stabilization problem. All the work required was electro-mechanical. When
the configuratidn failed to operate properly after tests, the customer de-
cided to stop all work.
With the exception of the Data Camera and the periscope which had
their own protruding dome% all the other optical configurations needed win-
dows in the equipment bay. Since an attempt was being made to obtain maxi-
mum resolution from each of the optical systems, it was imperative that the
windows be of sufficiently high quality to avoid degrading the ultimate image.
Thus, construction of appropriate windows became more than a simple hardware
problem.
Eight different sizes and shapes of windo:?s were required. Pro-
I
duetion included 100% strength testing by hydrostatic pressure to insure that
the windows were flawless.and not subject to breakage. Optical requirements'
were held to strict pre-determined tolerances. The resulting window designs
proved very'-satisfactory in use,and.pressure blowout or breakage never occurred.
D. Auxiliary Equipment
1. Electronic Image Evaluator
In checking the quality of the lens system used in the A and B
Configurations, an Electronic Image Evaluator, developed prior to the start
of this contract, was used. This Electronic Image Evaluator was based upon
a concept long familiar to communication engineers whereby a "transmission
factor" is determined for each lens. This factor is the measure of the amount
of information transmitted by the lens when imaging a lined pattern whose
brightness varies harmonically across it. It is determined by dividing the
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amplitude of the sinusoi.dnll.y varying brightness in the image by that in
the object. A plot of this factor an a function of number of lines per milli-
meter in the pattern is highly informative informative. It provides infor-
mation on the performance expected by the lens when imaging specific targets.
With the Electronic Image Evaluator, a contrast transmission curve
is obtained by analyzing electronically for the Fourier components of a peri-
odically scanned slit image. This system had the advantage. in that the data
on almost all lined frequencies could be obtained using a single slit and
nutating mirror to scan its image across an exit slit.
The instrument was used successfully in selecting and evaluating
the performance of the lens systems in the A and B Configurations.
1
Test Collimators (Fig. Nos. XI, XII, XIII )
In order to test the different optical configurations two types
of collimating devices were constructed. Both collimators were essentially
the same except for focal length and aperture. One was a 100" f/25 system,
while the other was a 300" f/27 system. The collimator design employed an
off-axis optical system to contain the folded optical path. The collimator
head contained a light source, various pin-holes and resolution targets, as
well as a viewing eyepiece and attachment for a Land Camera. A scanning
mirror was located at the objective end of the collimator to direct the coll-
imated bundle either into the equipment being tested or back into the colli-
mator head. Each collimator was mounted on a base which had adjustments
necessary to facilitate its use.
Both collimators were used extensively in the field. The 300" coll-
imator was limited mainly to use with the "C" Configuration. It was found
that the 300" collimator, being of such long focal length, was very sensitive
to such degrading influences as vibration and thermal gradients. Extreme pre-
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Secondary
Mirror
Figure xI. Optical Schematic Diagram.
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l.n
ON
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Figure XIII. 300" Collimator
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1
cautions had to be taken when it was used so that its effects were not mis-
construed to be that of the optical system under test.
Less sensitive to vibration and thermal effects, the 100" system
proved to be very versatile and useful in testing the A and B Configurations.
Mark II Tracker Test Equipment (Fig. Nos. XIV, XV)
The test equipment supplied for checking the Mark II Tracker in the
field consisted primarily of two major components - an electrical test set
and a light box - along with minor auxiliary equipment. Both were essentially
self contained, permitting operational and maintenance tests without intensive
disassembly.
Hand Control and Driftsight Test Equipment (Fig. Nos. XVI' XVII)
Both field and bench test equipment were supplied to permit testing
of the Hand Control and Driftsight at the operational facility. The field
test instrument was a compact protable instrument designed for direct connec-
tion to the Hand Control and Driftsight. The purpose of this instrument was
to check out the instrument while it was installed and to permit localization
of trouble to the particular unit at fault.
The bench test instrument was designed for direct connection to the
Hand Control (or synchro repeater box) when removed to the shop for bench work.
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Figure XV. Light Box with Cover Open to Show Interior
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Figure XVI. Fie d Ti'r
s u
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Figure XVII. Bench Test I:'luilnnccnt
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VI. CONCLUSIONS
The program was considered to be quite successful. This can be
attributed to three major factors:
1. The contracting organization engendered maximum application of
technical talents by permitting the suppliers great freedom in
technical decisions and choice of subcontractors, and encourag-
ing close liaison among the suppliers. In addition, the con-
tracting organization was at all times receptive to imaginative
approaches to technical problems, fully appreciative that ad-
vancements in the state.of the art were necessary to preserve
the intent of the program.
2. The concept of a completely compatible photographic reconnaissance
system, designed from its inception for a particular set of con-
ditions, as opposed to the more usual assemblage of universal
components, has markedly increased the ability to obtain maximum
information for a specific type of mission. This is best exem-
plified by the fact that optics design was predicated on detection
of medium and low contrast objects; not the high contrasts usually
employed as design bases, yet which are not found under actual
flight conditions. Optics designs were tempered by considerations
of parameters of films which would be available. Films were
tailored to obtain maximum compatibility with the image forming
system. Mechanical structures were designed with stabilization
requirements, vibration frequencies and levels, and with per-
formance goals in mind.
3. The services of manufacturers' field engineers were employed to
train and advise customer personnel in maintenance and operation
procedures. These field services were in close liaison with the
continuing product improvement programs maintained by the manu-
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facturers. The field activities included periodic visits by
high level technical support groups.
The results have been impressive. Embodied in the equipment of
this program are several technical advancements, numerous functional improve-
ments as well as examples of the application of unique techniques and philoso-
phies which contributed to advancements In the state of the art of aerial re-
connaissance. Performance levels of modified standard equipment in the Al
Configuration have nearly doubled. The A2, employing a modified standard
camera, but special optics, has increased performance capability even more.
The B Configuration, employing the new philosophy of object space-scanning,
obtained consistent resolution levels far in excess of any obtained with
standard equipment of equivalent focal length, and thus introduced a new re-
connaissance technique. The Panoramic Camera virtually out-performed and ob-
soleted the tri-metrigon system for aerial reconnaissance where space, weight
and reliability were considerations.
Although the termination of the C Configuration did not provide the
ultimate "spotting operation" desired, the system nevertheless developed four
advanced design features: (1.) a reimaging projection system, (2.) a center
of gravity support, (3.) object space scanning, and (4.) lightweight reflect-
ing optics. During tests this configuration produced results which yielded
more information than any other known photographic reconnaissance camera.
The capability of target storage, as embodied in.Mode Z operation
of the C Configuration, successfully demonstrated a new and impressive capa-
bility which could be incorporated in other reconnaissance systems. The Mem-
ory Unit itself represents an advance in the state of the art as a mechanical
mechanism capable of reliably performing its functions, yet being at the same
time lightweight and compact.
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To comprehensively evaluate design and performance characteristics
of the optics, new evaluation techniques had to be employed which would
yield more information than the standard resolution tests. The image
evaluator developed prior to this contract, but specifically for this type
of equipment, was used with considerable success.
Acute weight considerations led to the use of ribbed construction
of high quality optical mirrors in the B and C Configurations. The light-
weight construction of the mirrors in these systems showed that such a
philosophy was practical.
In addition, more sophisticated testing and handling techniques
were developed which permitted a more comprehensive knowledge of equipment
capabilities so necessary to maintaining the equipment at maximum operating
conditions,
In conclusion, the prime factor in the success of this program
was the integration of vehicle and equipment performances. All vehicle functions
were designed to accommodate the specific missions, and all reconnaissance
equipment considered both mission and vehicle characteristics. This is
an ideal, but unfortunately rare, consideration and this organization is
most pleased to have participated in this enterprise.
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VII. APPENDIX
LIST OF PIRTILTNT PUBLICATIONS
PUBLICATION NUMBER
t
162-1235
DESCRIPTION
Instruction Manual for the Mark II
Tracking Camera.
Instruction Manual for the Mark II
Hand Control and Driftsight.
Instruction Manual - Test Equipment
for the Mark II Tracking Camera.
Instruction Manual - Test Equipment
Mark II Hand Control (Model A) and
Driftsight
Instruction Manual for the Model 162
100-inch 5/25 Auto-Collimator
Instruction Manual for the Model 162
300-inch f/25 Auto-Collimator.
Final Vibration Report on C System
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