REJECTION OF THE ELECTROCOLOR MATERIAL STUDY PROJECT BY THE ASSISTANT DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR INTELLIGENCE (ADDI)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A002600110016-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 9, 2002
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: December 12, 1966
• Content Type: MF

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NPIC/TDS-6-134
12 December 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, NPIC
THROUGH Executive Director, NPIC
SUBJECT Rejection of the Electrocolor Material Study
Project by the Assistant Deputy Director for
Intelligence (ADDI)
1. The attached memorandums contain the background for the
rejection of the Electrocolor Material Study byl
ADDI. I memorandum reflects a lack of knowledge concern-
ing the entire scope of color photography. It is also apparent that
he is not aware of the value of research and development in the collection
and exploitation of imagery and has committed CIA to a rejection, for
the time being, of the entire field of exploitation of color photography
and has thus also disregarded the collection efforts.
2. I feel strongly that the national mission of NPIC should
be carried forward with regard to this matter and propose that as a
first step, I be granted_a?pproval to take the subject project to
the Department of Defense for further consideration. I believe that
support from the military offices and agencies of the intelligence
community is warranted at this time and that they should have a voice
in this matter even though CIA has, in effect, spoken for NPIC and
voted against the exploitation of color.
3. As a final note, the very purpose of undertaking the Electro-
color project was to answer questions similar to those posed by Mr.
I' in his last memorandum. He has apparently not understood the
basic staff study and has waived aside your strong reb ttal and recom-
mendations set forth in the memorandum of-18 November
Assistant,.f6r Technical Development, NPIC
Attachments: a/s
Distribution:
Orig - Dir, NPIC
Exclec a ,
9
2 - TDS/NPIC
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Declass Review by
NIMA/DOD
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 MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, NPIC
SUBJECT Electrocolor Material Study
1. I have reviewed your resubmission of this
proposed Study, but remain unconvinced that we are
on a sufficiently sound base for proceeding with it
at this time. I believe we should put this proposed
contract aside for now with the intention to review
it again in about a year should the situation change.
2. Meanwhile, if you think it appropriate, you
might take the following steps to provide information
as background to this review:
a. Describe and give the results of
efforts in both the collection and exploitation
fields to determine the exact role and value
of color for national intelligence purposes.
b. Describe the results of experimenting
with color manipulation in the equipment used
by photo-interpreters. If none has been done,
discuss the feasibility of this as a primary
approach.
3. Based on the above, we should be able to come
to some logical conclusion as to whether we should be
able to decide on whether to proceed with further color
investigation.
4. If the way seems to point to further development,
we could decide next year to:
a. Assess which of various lines of color
investigation will most directly benefit photo-
interpretation, with accompanying cost analysis
to the degree feasible.
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b. Determine broad specifications for
further color study or equipment development.
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Assistant Deputy Director for Intelligence
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NPIC/D-265-66
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Intelligence
SUBJECT Resubmission of the Electrocolor Material
Study Project for FY 1966
REFERENCE . Memorandum for the Director, NPIC, dated 29 July 1966,
Subject: Request for Approval of the Electrocolor
Systems Study Project with
from the
Acting Director for Intelligence
1. I have reviewed the R&D project "Electrocolor Material study"
and am compelled once again to submit the project to you for further
approval. Your memorandum, referenced above, cites three reasons for
recommending that the proposed Electrocolor Study not be forwarded
for approval and contract. I feel strongly that it is a mistake to
further delay this particular project; I am somewhat more concerned
about the reasons you have given for suggesting that the study be
shelved; I believe these reasons are invalid in light of the comments
which I set forth below.
2. Your first reason: the community has not decided on the
value and role of color photography. This statement avoids the main
issue. Extensive efforts are underway in both the collection and
exploitation fields to determine the exact role and value. From the
exploitation standpoint it is necessary to study each technique which
can contribute to a complete assessment of the role and value of
color photography. We strongly advocate experimentation with color
processes and in particular the Electrocolor process because it is:
(a) the only system to provide complete color control, (b) the only
practical means for producing false color, and (c) by far the most
versatile method of handling color reproduction. All of these
qualities are of irreplaceable value for assaying the gamut of color's
applicability to reconnaissance exploitation. It is true that only
a small volume of color film has been received in the Center thus far.
Recently, however, even 400 feet from placed a strain on
the Center's production facilities. Practically all new photographic
collection systems, including the latest system, are designed to
accommodate color; it is inconsistent not to be prepared to exploit
p.A
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color inputs. We must make substantial preparations to play our part
in establishing the role and value of color; we are very late in
beginning those preparations.
3. Your second reason for not forwarding the project was that
methods are presently available to process the color photography
scheduled for collection, even though these methods may not be ideal.
In fact, there is presently no satisfactory method for fully exploiting
color reconnaissance photography. Our projects relating to color
are based on two primary concerns.
a. All known methods of processing color photography are
inherently several times slower than those for black-and-white
photography. Color film requires at least three times longer
to process than black-and-white. To produce a segment of film
with varied density, as is frequently done to facilitate the
interpretation process, requires but a few minutes with black-
and-white; it could require days with color because of the
difficulty in rectifying the color balance.
b. The most effective means of extracting intelligence
from color photography have not been determined. There is
no evidence that a green tank is easier to identify than a
black one; the resolution of color photography has to be much
lower than that of black-and-white, simply because of the
three emulsions involved. It is expected that a primary use
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4. The third reason for disapproval was that other NPIC R&D
projects are of higher priority and that approval of the Electrocolor
project might pre-empt FY 1967 funds before these higher priorities
are approved. We have recently submitted a priority list and a
deferral list relative to our R&D projects. In analyzing our program
to draw up these lists we have been led on both occasions to the
conclusion that this project is among our most important. This is
not an irrevocable commitment to a system or even the building of
equipment. It is a study of an existing technique to determine its
applicability in the exploitation of color reconnaissance materials
within NPIC. To do less than this may well place us in the position
in the future of having to try to exploit exotic inputs with antiquated
techniques. It is to avert this possibility that NPIC has its own.
R&D capability.
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5. While there can be no guarantee that Electrocolor will be
successful, it is essential that we make every effort to find improved
means of exploiting the color photography which NPIC is and will in
all probability continue to receive. For the reasons stated in this
memorandum it is recommended that the Electrocolor Material Study
be approved.
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Director
National Photographic Interpretation Center
Distribution:
Orig & 1 - DDI
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Copy of Reference
29 July 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, NPIC
Request for Approval of the
Electrocolor S stems Study
Project with
Irom Y- Funding
1. On the basis of a review of the attached
proposal and discussions with
I recommend that this pi-o~)osal not be
forwarded at this time.
2. There are several reasons for this
recommendation. The community has not really
reached a conclusion on the value :;-irf ;ole o
color photography in the National ; ccjnnaissance
Program. Methods for processing tl:e, color
photography scheduled for collecti:;-.I are available,
although they may not be ideal. i3ecause the
Agency's budget has not been approved by Congress,
we cannot be sure of the R&D fundi.g for NPIC.
I feel that there are other NPIC projects of higher
priority and that approving the Electrocolor
Contract might pre-empt FY-1967 funds before these
higher priority contracts are approved.
3. I think we ought to look at this again
when Congress has passed our budget, and we know
what funds we actually have for R&D.
Acting Deputy Director for Intelligence
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