(Sanitized) BRIEFING PRINT ENLARGER (BPE) PROTOTYPE AND NPIC BRIEFINGS TO THE COMMUNITY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A001100040004-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 21, 2004
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: February 21, 1966
• Content Type: MF

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NPIC/P&DS/D/6-
21 February 1966
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Development Branch, P&DS
Prototype and NPIC Briefings to the Community
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1. On 16 February 1966,1 isited the
Naval Reconnaissance Technical Support Center (NRTSC) at Suitland in order
to present a briefing on the BPE "breadboard" and prospective prototype
model. This briefing had been requested by NRTSC on the basis of informa-
tion received from COPE concerning the project.
2. The briefing (using screen projector and mounted prints of samples
of each lens) was very well received. Those present included:
Briefing Print Enlarger (BPE)
stated that they had an immediate as well as
future use for the BPE. He requested time and cost factors. The
following were given:
a. "Breadboard" was completed in January at a cost
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b. Prototype model was authorized to be started in December 1965.
c. Prototype cost would be about
plus the cost of
the lens system I I NPIC is using the "breadboard" lens
system in the prototype. Time factor: 15 months for prototype.
d. Production models could be started after the prototype is
completed at prices (ROM) listed in handout (generally about 1/3 the cost
of the prototype.) Time factor: 15 months.
e. Additional lens system development, 60X-160X, would run
parallel to the prototype development and would be available at a greater
cost--not yet determined. Time factor: about 18 months.
expressed dismay at the time factors. He stated
that NRTSC had scheduled basic requirements for a fluid gate enlarger
such as the BPE for the past three years. He knew that NPIC, as a leader in
the field, had such a development going and NRTSC depended upon a device
being developed and had not, therefore entered the field. Funds had been
scheduled by Navy against such a development under the leadership of CIA.
NRTSC had assumed that our "breadboard" was the prototype, and that
production models were to come forth within about a year. (It appears that
the first production model would be ready, under the = schedule, in
30 or 36 months! That would be about June 1968 at the earliest!) In
spite of the costs, NRTSC would happily consider buying a prototype (or
buying part of it!), furthermore, there is the probability that other
agencies would do the same if 0 would alter their schedule and reduce
the costs.
5. As a result of the visit at NRTSC, I recommend that COPE be the
medium for canvassing the community to find those agencies interested in
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pressuring
to undertake a program to develop x-number rf prototypes in
the near future at a reduced cost and at an optimum scheduled time factor.
It would do no harm to learn the number of agencies desiring the BPE's and
va man
an estimate of the total qi~a,?tyshould certainly be able to change
costs, expected end-product quality, ad time factors if they had firm
.offers for their product. The questions could be posed: "Is the need for
the BPE for the immediate future great enough to sacrifice some quality
and at the same time pay more for the device? Does the community desire
prototypes in FY-1967 or production models in FY-1968-9? How much
responsibility will NPIC take in funding for additional prototype models?
Is COPE the proper medium to inquire into and collect the desires of the
community and advise in the preparation of the requests for BPE's directly
(Should this be the decision of member agencies)? It is assumed
that NPIC would be involved only with procurement procedures (upon
the request of other agencies) for additional BPE's and in the monitoring
of the project. Changes in design, or additional or subtractive
requirements of the prototype by other agencies should.not be the concern
of NPIC.
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* This parenthetical statement means, in other words: The agencies
will collectively agree that they would present a unified request for a
requesting new cost estimates and
time factors. COPE, as a unifying medium, would ask for, and collect
answers from, the community as to the e hh
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"prototypes" desired.
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NPIC/P&DS/D/6-
17 February 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Support Systems Section, Development Branch
Plans and Development Staff
SUBJECT: Monthly Progress Item
On 16 February 1966
Suitland, Maryland.
and the undersigned visited NRTSC,
at their request, and gave them
a briefing on the Briefing Print Enlarger. The technical personnel at
NRTSC are very much interested in this item and would like to get one at
the earliest possible time, even to the point of considering an additional
prototype model. They are of the opinion that three chosen, focal length
lenses rather than six would meet their requirement. The
is of the opinion that
have stated in writing that the first production printer could not be
delivered until about March, 1968.
this production schedule could be speeded up considerably
quantity requirements were compiled and submitted
that their requirement for a fluid
gate enlarger similar to this had been submitted to us several years back,
and funds have been and are budgeted for such an item with us.
Conclusions: The special Projects Division, NRTSC, will make
known their requirements and recommendations through channels to the COPE
Committee for consideration. by the comm
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