REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF ELECTROCOLOR MATERIAL STUDY (Sanitized) FROM FY-1967 FUNDING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A002600110025-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 9, 2002
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: November 28, 1966
• Content Type: MF

Approved
Declass Review by
NIMA/DOD
Approved
1
DATE
C -
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TO: D/PPt1B
ROOM NO.
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REMARKS:
FROM:
ROOM NO. B ILDING EXTENSION
For Release 0003/01/28: CIA-RDP780477OA002
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FORM NO 241 REPLACES FORM 36-8 GPO: 1957-0-439445 (47)
WHICH MAY BE USED.
001
 Approved For Release 2003/01/28 : CIA-RDP78BO477OA002600110025-6
MC/D-266-66,
.. ,: _ 1,966
CRAND FOR; Deputy Director of C =ntrai Intelligence
ut ipe Dir e c tor- C=.ptr? tulle r
tor, Office of .!nning, Pr
fidgeting
Deputy Director for tntel.l.ige-nce
REFERENCE : Chief, :4maistrativi! Btu`, O/D Mazc , Odom of
February 196 r ont "Approval of Research d
Development =ictivititss."
Request for : pprotal of Electrc;:col.or Material
Study with rem;
Fun ng
FY-I, S
. The Electrocol: r Material tidy has been prep"r d for
al in order that negoti ti=ins for contract may be
25
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of color filer to be received at I PIC.
completed prior to January 1967. Thi; protect offers aigr ific t
promise for speed and versatility in =.he- field of col rr x acsss
will meet the require enta of the antieipattd increasing voluw;-
2. The enclosed staff ;tuiy, take and pr
background rid justification for the project.
3. It is requested that this project be approved and that
funds nounting to be author .zed .nd expended from fi-
167 R&D ftu.nding.
ARTHUR 0. LUNDAiL
DI c:=ctor
Nttion :l Photographic Inte rpreta
WED:
D put-r Director or Intelligence
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IC/D-26 -66
Distribution:
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ig 1 - LB/ /z"vPIC (after pro l)
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PIC/T16/1 }B
Approved For Release 2003/01/28 : CIA-RDP78BO477OA002600110025-6
 S
Approved For l elease- a : CIA-RDP78B04770A002600110025-6
14 April 1966
ELECTROCOL0R MATERIAL STUDY
1. PROBLEM:
To increase the NPIC capability to exploit color photography
inputs.
2. FACTS BEARING ON THE PROBLEM:
a. Exploitation of color photography's increased information
content is hampered by the long and intricate processing required.
b. The use of color photography is rapidly increasing at the
same time that new uses, such as camouflage detection and foliage
penetration, are being developed.
c. The Electrocolor process is an automatic process for making
photographic color prints. It shows promise of greater speed to match
the increasing volume and of control over contrast and color to meet
the new demands for versatility.
d. An in-house test of the Electrocolor processor by the
Production Services Division in 1965 was terminated, as explained
in Tab C, with a recommendation for further analysis of the system.
3. DISCUSSION:
a. Current Procedure. The limited number of color prints
now used by the NPIC are produced by the Ektacolor process. The
volume is small, and requirements are straightforward. However, new
color collection systems are being put into operation which will
greatly increase the volume of input for exploitation. It is there-
fore incumbent upon the NPIC to be prepared to handle this volume
and to explore methods for obtaining the maximum information from
this medium.
In its present stage of development the Electrocolor process
cannot compete with the Ektacolor process for day-to-day operation.
Nevertheless, the versatility of the process and the speed with which
it can produce a single print show enough promise to justify an
impartial, complete evaluation of its potential.
b. Origin of Concept. The electrocolor technique is based
on the same principle as electroplating of metals. The process
electrically charges the emulsion, which is then "plated" with any
desired color. Thus, the colors can be faithfully reproduced or
varied at will to facilitate interpretation.
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c. Proposed Program. The proposed evaluation consists of a
one-year impartial study in depth of the Electrocolor technique. This
study will determine the possibilities of using this process for pro-
ducing multiple prints more rapidly, increasing the size and resolution
of prints, and producing transparencies. Results of the study will
be applicable to photo interpretation as well as to the reproduction
of color photographic prints.
d. Selection of Contractor. submitted 25X1
an unsolicited proposal to conduct this evaluation. Acce tance of
the proposal is recommended because of previous 25X1
experience with this system. performed tests on 25X1
the system for the Air Force an built a prototype color negative
analyzer for the to use in conjunction with the Electro-
color system. Approximately 0/ xpenditure for this project
will be subcontracted to the for experimental work necessary
to the evaluation.
e. Program Phasing. The contractor will submit monthly reports
on expenditures, work performed, and results obtained. After four
months there will be a major review to determine whether results
warrant continuation of the study. At the end of a year, the contractor
will present a report supported by laboratory models, spelling out
all possible improvements of the system. The report will include
design concepts for optimized equipment. If findings are favorable,
the final evaluation will outline a program for fabrication of test
models and a prototype.
f. Coordination. This project has been closely coordinated
with the Production Services Division. Coordination with other Center
components has been accomplished through the Technical Development
Board. This effort does not duplicate a similar one performed"by
for the Air Force. This project has been coordinated
DD &T ORD, and formal community-wide coordination has been maintained
through the Committee on Photographic Exploitation.
g. Alternatives. This process has unique features which
deserve careful, impartial investigation. The Center does not have
the space, equipment, or personnel for such a study and sufficient
impartiality cannot be expected from the manufacturer.
-I. CONCLUSIONS:
The increasing use of color in reconnaissance photography makes it
necessary for the NPIC to expand its knowledge and capability in the
field of color exploitation. The Electrocolor process offers significant
promise for more speed and versatility in this field. An objective
study is required to determine whether its advantages can be applied
to Center tasks.
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5. RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that approval be granted to contract with the
Data Corporation at a funding level of
6. REFERENCES AND ATTACHMENTS:
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Tab A. Catalog form
Tab B. Technical specifications
Tab C. Memorandum on in-house test
Tab D. Program phasing
Attachment :
E C
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