TECHNICAL PROPOSAL FOR STUDIES OF PHOTOINTERPRETER PERFORMANCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A000900020001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 29
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 23, 2006
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 7, 1966
• Content Type: REPORT

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SECRET
Technical Proposal
for
STUDIES OF PHOTOINTERPRETER PERFORMANCE
Prepared by
GROUP iJ
Excluded it cafcmntic
declassifica"Gen End dainVa-diff-I
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Copy eJ of 5
Pry --eaa ~~-~`~ s
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Page
FOREWORD ........................................................... iii
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................... 1
2. DATA REDUCTION AND GENERAL LIAISON ......................... 1
3. INTERPRETER INSTRUCTION .................................... 2
4. STEREOSCOPIC AND NON-STEREOSCOPIC MENSURATION AND
INTERPRETATION ............................................. 2
5. PROJECT MANAGEMENT ......................................... 3
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FOREWORD
Technical support and assistance is to be provided in the
following functional areas:
? Data Reduction and General Liaison
? Interpreter Instruction
? Stereoscopic and Non-Stereoscopic Mensuration and
Interpretation
The proposal is arranged in five sections consisting of:
1. Introduction
2. Data Reduction and General Liaison Task
3. Interpreter Instruction
4. Evaluation of Stereoscopic and Non-Stereoscopic
Mensuration and Interpretation
5. Project Management
qualifications to perform the proposed
effort is included as a separate section.
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INTRODUCTION
proposes to provide
tehnical services and materials to assist in specific aspects of studies to
determine photointerpreter performance in the interpretation and mensuration
of various types of targets. The primary objective of the program is to deter-
mine the relationships between interpreter preformance, photographic ground
resolution, and the use of stereo and non-stereo instrumentation.
2. DATA REDUCTION AND GENERAL LIAISON
will assist in arranging for the collection of suitable
imagery for the program. This will involve
0
imagery collected by
In addition, the acquired imagery will be "packaged" for use in the
testing and evaluation phases of the program. Targets will be selected by the
customer. Imagery and data will be prepared for each selected target site and
will consist of a plot of the imagery, stereo pairs of imagery, additional
coverage of the target, and annotation overlays to the imagery for the purpose
of identifying and locating the target and its components. It is currently
planned that this preliminary data reduction effort be completed within a six
week period during January and February 1967. The completion of this task is,
however, dependent upon the timing of the acquisition effort.
I I
to all project personnel and the customer. In this regard, assistance will be
provided in the conduct of experiments and analysis of results, assistance and
SECRET
will provide continued liaison and technical assistance
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advice will be provided for test design and the analysis plan, and
personnel will provide other technical services to the customer and project
personnel as required.
These tasks will be accomplished during the months of January 1967
through June 1967.
will provide monthly progress letters to the customer in
order to report project status, problems and achievements. Since
participation in the over-all program is directed to specific tasks, it is pro-
posed that report inputs be provided to the other project contractor, and that
they incorporate these inputs in one over-all program final report. In this
manner, the program final report will be complete and comprehensive, and inef-
ficient duplication of reporting will be avoided.
3. INTERPRETER INSTRUCTION
The customer's test subjects will be thoroughly briefed on the
nature and the scope of the interpreter testing programs. Detailed explana-
tion will also be made of the use of all imagery, graphics, and textual data
and the form that the test responses will take.
4. STEREOSCOPIC AND NON-STEREOSCOPIC MENSURATION AND INTERPRETATION
A primary effort of the program will be to evaluate and analyze
physical image, equipment,. and human parameters involved in the interpretation
and mensuration of various target types. In particular, the effects of the
use of stereoscopic and non-stereoscopic measurement practices and equipment
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will be studied. State-of-the-art equipment will be supplied by the customer
new stereo-mensuration equipment, etc.).
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The proposed project will be managed by
be assisted in technical matters by
contractual and security matters by
respectively. A25X1
statement of qualifications is attached. It includes descriptions of
25x1
facilities, related contracts and resumes for the technical personnel to be as-
signed to this project.
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A. FACILITY STATEMENT ............................................... 1
1. General ...................................................... 1
2. Physical Facilities .......................................... 1
a. Imagery and Data Exploitation Laboratory ................. 1
b. Mensuration and Photogrammetric Facility ................. 1
c. Photographic Laboratory .................................. 2
d. Computer Facility ........................................ 2
e. Engineering and Manufacturing Facility 3
3. Facility Clearance ........................................... 3
B. ORGANIZATION ..................................................... 3
1. Organization Chart ........................................... 4
2. Mapping Sciences Department .................................. 5
3. Intelligence and Interpretation Department ................... 5
4. Applied Engineering Department ............................... 6
5. Technical Services Department ................................ 6
6. Systems Management ........................................... 6
C. EXPERIENCE ....................................................... 7
D. RESUMES OF KEY PERSONNEL ......................................... 8
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1. General
I Ifounded in 1957, was acquired by0 in 1962. Today, 25X1
as part o special- 25X1
izes in research, ceve.opmen and operations relating to a a collection and re-
duction systems for reconnaissance, mapping, geodesy, intelligence, and associa-
ted activities, as well as industrial applications of photogrammetry. In addi-
tion, designs and develops prototypes for a variety of com lex data 25x1
reduction equipments, relying upon the unexcelled resources of~for the 25x1
manufacture of such equipment.
O
personnel. include scientists and engineers, ably assisted by
highly trained technicians. The professional stature of the people comprising
I uis reflected by the fact that 70 percent have college degrees and of 25x1
these, 20 percent have either a Master degree or a Doctorate. This staff has
been drawn from military, other government agencies, private industry and educa-
tional institutions. Many of these people are recognized internationally as
authorities in their fields of specialization.
2. Physical Facilities
In Auaust 64 -]moved into new and modern auarters within the 25x1
I This 25x1
new building encompasses 33,000 square feet of air-conditioned floor space and
houses comfortably 150 employees. Approximately half of the entire facility is
devoted to laboratory space with offices for technical and administrative per-
sonnel accounting for the remaining area. Furthermore, there is ample property
to expand the existing physical plant anytime in the future.
Special facilities and laboratories within
a. Imagery and Data.Exploi.tation Laboratory
Operation include:
The Imagery and Data Exploitation Laboratory, comprising approximately
4,000 square feet, is equipped with stereo and monoscopic imagery viewers, lay-
out tables, secure vaults, imagery and data files, and special image matching,
projection and mensuration equipment. The laboratory is arranged to accommodate
a variety of separate interpretation and data processing projects and provides
ideal. space for analysis and evaluation tasks; plotting, indexing, mosaicking,
screening and interpretation, conducting experiments and performing basic and
applied research relating to reconnaissance or mapping programs.
b. Mensuration and Photugraimnetric Facility
Mensuration tasks to within t 1 rr4icron are performed in the environ-
mentally controlled areas housing precision measuring equipment, consisting of
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reader monocular comparators with digital outputs an automatic point coordinate 25x1
and viewer with digital output, and a~PUG point transfer device. 25X1
These equipments, supported by the high acuity output of the Photographic Lab-
oratory, on film or glass, give lone of the outstanding mensuration 25x1
facilities in the country.
This facility also possesses al photogrammetric plot-
ter, automated with the STEREOMAT image correlator. This unique equipment per-
mits the automatic production of orthophotographs and automatic extraction of
contour records, as well as the digital recording of X, Y and Z model coordinates
from near vertical and super wide-angle aerial or terrestrial photography.
c. Photographic Laboratory
This laboratory comprises nine rooms which are controlled carefully
for temperature, humidity and dust. In addition to handling conventional pho-
tography tasks, this laboratory is geared for special services, such as:
(1) the processing of various sensor records, i.e., infrared, side-looking
radar and aerial camera records; (2) production of high acuity reproduction on
glass in support of analytical photogrammetry and stellar plate measurements;
and (3) continuous LogEtronic printing and continuous precision printing on
formats varying from 70mm - 9/" to t .005 weave, on special order. Some of the
important capital equipment within this laboratory includes:
LogEtronic CR/18 Contact Printer, 14" x 18" format
LogEtronic Continuous Printer SP10/70, 91," x 500'
Fluor-o-Dodge Contact Printer, 12" x 18" format
Durst Laborator V-185, 10" x 10" Negative format
Vacuum Back Process Camera, 24" x 30"
Kodak Versamat Film Processor
Ozalid 1000 Printmaster
Moviola for magnetic and optical sound reproduction
Film cold vault, 7' x 8' x 10'
Various processing rooms, sinks, washers, dryers,etc.
d. Computer Facility
The primary computer in this versatile assembly is al
Th[s is a micro-second machine with a micro-programming logic which a ows or
maximum programming flexibility. The present 520 installation has 24,576 24 bit
words of core memory and 256 words of rapid (200 nanosecond) biaxial memory.
Peripheral equipment includes:
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300 character per second paper tape reader
110 character per second paper tape punch
Console typewriter
4 magnetic tape units
800 card per minute card reader
250 card per minute card punch
600 line per minute printer
Also available is al computer, a small micro-second ma-
chine, which is used for peripheral computing for the when paper
tape is involved. Within this facility there is also al computer used
primarily for the solution of "engineering-type" problems. Thel has
a drum memory of 4096 40-bit words with a rather extensive repertoire of in-
structions.
e. Engineering and Manufacturing Facility
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
This facility is fully equipped for activities associated with the de-
sign, development, fabrication, manufacture and testing of breadboard, engineer-
ing and production models of electro-mechanical devices. In addition to the
electronic assembly area, and mechanical assembly and test area, there is a
well equipped machine shop and drafting room. The large manufacturing facilities
of thel are also available to thel Operation if size- 25X1
able quantities o Instruments or component hardware are required.
I and is within one mile of the
This facility, comprising approximately 490 square feet, is 25X1
staffed and equipped to accommodate a variety of imagery interpretation and data
exploitation tasks. It provides ideal space for analysis and evaluation efforts,
interpretation, experimentation, and reconnaissance research.
3. Facility Clearance
---]facility has a TOP SECRET clearance (TOP SECRET Fiiia41
Clearance granted by 7 August 1964). 25X1
Courier service, utilizingi ersonnel, can be arranged up to and in- 25X1
cluding TOP SECRET. I loffice has a SECRET clearance, granted by25X1
on 4 October 1965. 25X1
I uis one of the Engineering Operations of 2521,X1
The Operation is organized along departmental 25x1
Ines, each being responsible for a broad area of technical or administrative
operation. (Note Organization Chart appearing on the following page.)
office is located at
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The primary roles and missions of the operating departments are as
1. Mapping Sciences Department
This department is concerned principally with the design and analysis
of data acquisition and data reduction systems applied to space navigation, map-
ping, geodesy and resources surveys of the Earth, Moon and, eventually, other
bodies within the solar system. Such undertakings include the development of
design parameters and performance characteristics of sensors, employment of
classical and non-classical techniques in data reduction, calibration of un-
usual sensor configurations, formulation and analysis of mathematical models in
support of analytical photogrammetry-and geodetic position determinations, and
the application of statistical theory in the performance of error analysis of
whole or partial data collection and reduction systems. In addition, this de-
partment offers consultation services for industrial applications of photogram-
metry. Many solutions to the problem areas cited above are determined through
computer programs develo ed b the scientific programming staff within this
department and run on or customer computers. This staff has consider- 25x1
able experience in bot and machine language coding for various computers.
Although the programming staff is primarily scientifically oriented, it has
considerable experience in developing large scale, computer oriented, data pro-
cessing systems.
Intelligence and Interpretation Department
This department is concerned with the design, analysis and test of
advanced reconnaissance data processing subsystems, including assemblies for
the utilization of returns from side-looking radar, infrared, conventional and
special purpose photography and other special sensing devices. This department
has assembled a large staff of reconnaissance system analysts and imagery inter-
preters capable of extracting and processing information from the multi-sensor
records cited above. In fact, staff members have pioneered in the application
of: (1) multiple sensors to tactical and strategic intelligence problems;
(2) side-looking radar to area geology, geomorphology and land utilization,
and (3) special data reduction and interpretation subsystems for the exploita-
tion of single or multi-sensor reconnaissance imagery and data.
This department is accustomed to planning and managing reconnaissance
operations. Capabilities include the providing of statistically valid field
samples, acquisition of ground truth, interpreter testing, proper supporting
utilization of digital and analog computers and devising storage and data re-
trieval systems to support dynamic reconnaissance operations.
Professional capabilities of the personnel of this department range
from land sciences, such as geology, forestry and geography to engineering,
military science, physics and psychology.
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t
Applied Engineering Department
This department designs, develops and manufactures new equipment
either in response to unique equipment requirements disclosed as the result of
data acquisition and reduction systems studies performed by otherl 25X1
departments, or in ther customer needs. It is also responsible for
the manufacture of TEREOMAT product ne, an electronic stereo 25x1
image correlator designed for the 1photogrammetric plotter 25x1
which, together, constitute the only automatic mapping equipment commercially
available today.
ment, image filters and automatic rectifiers. For any equipment manufacturing
requirement calling for sizeable quantities of items, the unexcelled manufactur-
This department has made significant contributions in the development
of image matchers, zenith cameras, automatic length and position measuring equip-
ing facilities of other organizations can be tasked by
The professional staff includes electronic and mechanical engineers
ably assisted by competent technicians and draftsmen.
5. Technical Services Department
This department is equipped to undertake operational assignments as
a customer service, as well as provide technical service support to other
departments. These services are associated with (1) photography,
such as production of high resolution microfilm photography in black-and-white
and color, rapid film processing of sensor records, high definition printing
on film and glass, precision formatting and photo-quality manipulation; (2)
mensuration, in conjunction with aerial and terrestrial photography, zenith
and ballistic cameras, industrial and architectural photography; (3) numerical
computations, in support of camera calibration, analytical aero-triangulation,
coordinate transformations, ground survey computations, industrial dimension-
ing and earth-work calculations; (4) p hotogrammetric computations, such as
orthophotographs, digital profiles and cross-sections, topographic, planimetric
and special purpose maps and mosaics.
The staff of this department includes mathematicians, programmers,
photogrammetric and mensuration equipment operators and photographic tech-
nicians in sufficient number to permit two and three shift operations, thus
providing a quick-reaction capability for these numerous technical services.
6. Systems Management
The Systems Management staff is responsible for the development and
management of complete systems in the reconnaissance and intelligence areas.
Program Offices for individual programs are established within this group and
are responsible directly to the Manager of the Operation through
the Manager of the Systems Group. This type o
uncrux rd designed to best
25X1
25X1
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apply systems experience and allow for direct action which success- 25X1
ful completion o systems programs requires.
The Systems Management structure allows for the established Program
Offices to effectively coordinate and direct the various inter-department, inter-
division and subcontracting organizations which make major contributions to a
program and serve as the principal point of contact for customer liaison.
In general, program management is accomplished by the Systems Manage-
ment staff through assignment of work packages to the functional organizations
which will represent the source of best capability to perform the work package
task by virtue of prior experience and available capacity, Individual project
leaders and task supervisors are assigned by the cognizant functional organiza-
tions.
The Systems Management staff is composed of highly qualified personnel
who possess not only a technical competence in the various phases of reconnaissan?.e
and intelligence, but also administrative experience and ability for management
of projects from the conception through successful completion.
There follows a selected list of current and past I Icontacts, 25x1
as well as a selected list of internally funded study subjects and research and
development efforts.
For this particular submission, pertinent contracts are flagged on
these lists, and project summaries of these flagged items are to be found in the
pages which follow.
1
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Among the areas investigated by
ing are the following:
with the help of internal fund-
1. Analytical photogrammetry
2. Arms control
3. Computer programming
4. Design and automation of mensuration equipment
5. Economic development/terrain analyses
6. Electronic image correlation
7. Systems error analyses
8. Geodesy
9. Lunar studies
10. Mapping systems
11. Mensuration services
12. Multi-sensor interpretation
13. Numerical computations
14. Photogrammetric compilations
15. Photo services (including photo chemistry)
16. Psychometric aspects of photo-interpretation
17. Storage & retrieval of mapping data
18. Tactical reconnaissance
19. Industrial photogrammetry
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I researched, developed and successfully demonstrated a data hand25x1
ling system des gned to obtain positional data utilizing airborne radar record-
ings and limited ground control. The system was designed to process and reduce
mass statistical data to stringent accuracies at high speed. The data handling
system involved a radar correlation technique to obtain ground measurements,
which in turn were operated upon by both digital and analog computers to yield
a consistent set of positional information within the constraints of the avail-
able control. Specific tasks involved included the development of electronic
matching devices, high precision optical measuring procedures, a least-square
analog computer, and high speed film handling methods as well as new interpre-
tation techniques. Concepts and equipment developed for this project were
successfully utilized during large scale Strategic Air Command exercises.
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1
High Resolution Radar Interpretation Manual
This 343-page manual has become a standard reference for radar interpre-
ters. It was the first of its kind, and has been republished as a Technical
Documentary Report by the Air Force. It provides basic information regarding
the theories and characteristics which are essential to understanding the side-
looking radar scope display. The manual provides considerable high altitude,
high resolution, side-looking radar imagery; pertinent interpretation and
mensuration techniques; and many illustrations of targets of strategic military
interest. All imagery is from the AN/APQ-56 radar, which recently has been
declassified.
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A metrical Analysis of Panoramic Photography
Under this contract the formulation for obtaining dimensional information
from panoramic photography was derived and analyzed. The effects of ignoring
various physical and geometrical conditions affecting panoramic photography and
of imposing errors upon various parameters for a number of configurations were
presented. Finally, the results of some measurements of actual panoramic photo-
graphs were shown.
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Airborne Target Location Tests
I responsibility under this contract was to reduce, analyze
and evaluate a-a derived from an Army low altitude target location test system.
The contract involved the use of low altitude side-looking airborne radar in
coordination with a ground radar tracking system, and the preparation of com-
puter programs to evaluate different target location systems. It also involved
the rectification and use of KC-1 photographic coverage for control purposes.
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This study provided a critical appraisal of the relative capabilities and
limitations for target detection and identification of various sensors, used
singly and in combination. The sensors studied were side-looking airborne
radar, infrared, panoramic camera and ELINT. The experimental portion of the
task was carried out under controlled human-factor conditions, using qualified
multi-sensor interpreters on high altitude imagery collected by the QUICK
CHECK program aircraft.
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Flight Test Evaluation of Radar AN/APQ-97 (XE-1)
This program provided with detailed and concise test--program 25x1
results for the evaluation or Its new evelopmental side-looking radar, APQ-97.
Primary concern of the test program was the determination of slant-range accuracies
and resolution, both along-track and across-track. Tasks included:
(1) selection of flight test areas
(2) determination of on-board sensors and instrumentation
(3) development of calibration procedures for the sensors
(4) planning of operational flights
(5) preparation of procedures for data validation
(6) organization of data handling techniques
(7) presentation of reduced data
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The object of these two contracts lan and develop a multi-
sensor data base at the In the course of com-
piling the data base is providing t e following services:
(1) planning for data collection, including compilation of a master
target list and target-coding system
(2) designing and maintaining a storage and retrieval system for imagery
and other data, including editing and updating all data-recording formats
(3) reducing data and anal zing imagery on all data-base materials as
required. In addition, compiles and produces multi-sensor imagery
and data packages, and provides interpreters for the controlled interpreter
testing relating to specific field exercises such as ROAD, ARRAY, SNOWFLEX,
RODEO, and SILVER HAND.
25X1
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Course in Analytical Photogrammetry
Given to various U.S. Agencies
F I
Under this project, developed two courses in Elementary and
Advanced Analytical Photogrammetry. Subject matter included:
(1) Vector and matrix algebra, and least squares
(2) Image-space and object-space coordinate systems
(3) Interior and exterior orientation
(4) Collinearity, coplanarity, and scale equations
(5) Single oblique photogrammetry and rectification
(6) Panoramic photography
(7) Space resection, orientation, and intersection
(8) One-and two-station relative orientation
(9) Stellar coordinate systems and camera calibration
(10) Systems of analytical aerotriangulation
(11) Adjustment of analytical aerotriangulation
I
Lecture notes, class problems and exercises were developed, and each course
presented to several groups of students.
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The purpose of this current program is to explore the effect of color on
reconnaissance imagery interpretation.
In the course the effort, with consultation from the
I will design, conduct and evaluate tests which will
interpreter performance in standard analytic tasks using comparable panchromatic
and
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Ship Key Features and Interpretability of Sensor Imagery
Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory
This contract was a follow-on to previous work in the multi-sensor ship
interpretation area which is aiding the Navy in establishing requirements
for future ship surveillance systems. Decision matrices were provided indicating
a systematic methodology for performing the ship identification process as well
as depicting key features and ground resolutions necessary for identification on
different sensor recordings at various levels of target specificity.
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Resumes of key[
submission, are attached.
Ipersonnel, appropriate to this particular
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