PROJECT HI-C, HIGH ALTITUDE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05167A000800090008-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 30, 2014
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: December 11, 1964
• Content Type: MEMO

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TCS#10926-64
Copy #
SPIC/P&D8-231/64
11 December 1964
SUBJECT : Project HI-C, High Altitude Color Photography
Attached for your information is a copy of a summary of
the subject project to 1 December 1964.
Assis for Plans and Deve ppm
Attachment (TCS#10926-A-64)
Distribution:
Copy 1 - Director, EPIC
2 - Exec. Dir., EPIC
3 - Asst. for Ops
4 - Asst. for Admin.
5 - Chief,
6 - Chief
7 - SS/TB
8 - Chief, CSD
� 9 - Chief, PSD
19 - Asst. for PA
11 - Chief, PD
12 -
13 - Chief,
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of the espionage laws U. S. Code Title 18, Sections 793 and 794. The low prohibits its transmission or
the- revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person, as well as its use In any manner
prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any foreign government to the
detriment of the United States. It is to be seen only by personnel especially indoctrinated and authorized
to receive information in the designated control channels. Its security must be maintained in accordance
with regulations pertaining to TALENT-KEYHOLE Control System.
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TCS# 1026-A-64
Copy
1 December 1964
I2OBAIUM14 FOR: Assistant for Plans and Development
SUBJECT
Summary of Project HI-C, An Evaluation or
Color Photography Taken from High Altitude
Aircraft
I. Background
In early Spring, 1964, of (S)NRO
convinced Dr. McMillan that it should be determined if high
altitude color photography could be developed to the degree
that it would be of definite value to photo interpretation.
Subsequently in August 1964, the (S)NRO in conjunction with
OSA/CIA and Eastman Kodak flew test missions at nominal
altitude over California with the 11243 System. The camera
system carried a new color emulsion film (50-121) in the
forward camera and panchromatic film (4404) in the aft camera
giving convergent stereo imagery or black and white and color
combined. This test mission was given the designation of
GT 64-148 and was followed by a similar mission using the
*B" configuration camera. This test mission was designated
as GT 64-149. The color imagery from these two missions was
the best obtained to date by reconnaissance systems.
II. Exploitation Evaluations
A. In mid-September the (S)NRO distributed the materials
from GT 64-148 to the NPIC, DIA, SAC, NRTSC, FTD and AMS with
the requirement that "each recipient conduct a comprehensive
analysis of this mission material.". The undersigned requested
of a further clarification of the requirement
and was told that (S)NRO wanted a PI-oriented evaluation to
determine subjectively if the color in mono gained values or
lost values in comparison with the 4404 B&W imagery in mono.
He also wanted an evaluation or the combination or B&W and color
together in stereo. stated that he was not particularly
interested in technical evaluations at this time.
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B. The NPIC received the coverage for the entire mission which
Included 10 different formats or variations of prints of color and
B&W of the San Francisco Bay area. The NPIC evaluation centered
on these 10 formats. The Assistant for Operations issued a work
project with P&DS/Plans Branch coordinating the evaluation and
results. TID/TSB made a comprehensive technical evaluation. Even
though it was not required by (S)NRO at the time, we reasoned that it
would be required eventually and the evaluation wOuld probably be
of value to PI evaluations. The PAG was requested to perform a PI
evaluation, and after the testing techniques had been decided upon,
with the aid of , two senior, experienced photo interpreters
from PAG, set up the tests
and refined the techniques. The evaluation tests were carried out
by PAG PI's ranging in experience from 2 to 20 years and including
the several specialized fields. The results and conclusions have
been submitted to Plans Branch in a written report. PID is currently
carrying out the same test while TID/TAB is conducting a mensuration
evaluation. Reports from all evaluations will be combined and
summarized in a final report which will include conclusions and
recommendations. requests that the report be submitted
to the (S)NRO and WA over tne signature of the Director/NPIC with
copies sent to the other agencies conducting the tests. It is hoped
this will be concluded by 12 December 1964.
III. Evaluation Meeting
On 24 November 1964,
held a meeting in
in order to determine from the PI community whether or not GT 64-145
produced sufficient information values to photo interpreters to
warrant continuing with color testing and perhaps include it in
aircraft operational missions. realizes that all testing has
not been concluded but felt that he could get a general consensus
from which he could recommend to Dr. McMillan whether or not more
test missions should be flown. Twenty-nine persons were present
representing; NPIC, CIA/PID, CIA/OSA, DIA, SAC, NRTSC, AMS, EK, FTD,
GIMRADA and Tactical Support Command. The NPIC was represented by
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P&DS. The following summarizes the pertinent points ror general
ap^raisal. For specific reference, detailed reports are being
prepared by the NPIC representatives present.
A. Characteristics of 50-121 Film
1. Type Film
Original material is 80-121, Aerial Ektochrome.
Speed rated at EI-13.
Color duplicates printed on 80-121.
2. HANDCE VT1V
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2. Theoretical Resolution:
125 1/mm at 1000:1 contrast
70 limm at 1.6:1 contrast
3. Measured Resolution - as measured on :B&W bar chart at
Edwards Air Force Base.
a. EK measurements on S0-121, original negative:
53 l/mm in one direction
60 1/mm in other direction
b. EK measurements on 41404, original negative:
90 l/mm in one direction
120 1/mm in other direction
c. TID measurements:
B0-121 on dupe positive - 140 1/mm
44434 on dupe positive - 80 1/mm
4. Duplicating Film Thicknesses:
S0-121 Ester base thickness - 2.5 mils
S0-121 Total thickness - 3.5 mils
S0-121 Thickness at mylor splice - 8.6 mils
4404 - Total thickness - 4 mils
5. Miscellaneous
a. Emulsion is softer than 4404; subject to digs and
scratches. Have not tried protective coating yet but
believe lacquer will give protection.
b. Flimsy film, does not track well on spools and
rollers.
c. Film has a latent image shift if kept at ambient
temperatures between time of exposure and the time of
'processing, if the elapsed time is more than 6 hours.
Therefore, it must be refrigerated during this period.
EK has designed special containers in which the film is
packed with dry ice until it reaches the processing
point where it is thawed (takes 3 hours before processing).
EK is trying to develop a coating to overcome the image
shift problem and eliminate refrigeration.
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d. Since this type film is new, there is no
experience history on, post-processing storage life,
so stability of material is unknown.
e. Fiducials and data block are not readable
because of black borders. No solution for this problem
has been found yet.
B. Film Processing and Duplication
This information is based on GT 64-148 consisting of WOO
ft. of 80-121 color film.
1. Processing of 80-121
a. Done at EK on a Grafton processor.
b. Rate of processing is 5 ft. per minute as compared
with 25 ft. per minute for BW.
2. Duplication
a. Duped onto 80-121 film in order to hold resolution.
Duplicating was done with the Niagara Printer.
b. Duped by two methods.
(1) Use of conventional white light with tungsten
lamp.
(2) By triple beam printing.
c. Rate is 5 ft. per minute on 70 mm film. Can print
3 color dupes simultaneously on 9i" film at the rate of 15 ft.
per minute.
3. Titling
The present method of titling B&W is impractical for
the color ON since the titling does not show through the black
borders. Titling must now be dohe separately on each duped
copy using white titling tape. However, =believes that an
edge flasher can be used to title on the color ON and thus
eliminate this problem.
4.
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4. Color Enlargements, Processing (EK)
a. Method #1 (best method). Use of ON in reversal
process. Enlarging to 5X directly onto 30-121 material.
This gives the best resolution.
b. Method #2. Use of ON to type 6110 internegative
at 5X enlargement then contact print onto Kodak Ektocolor
film. This produces a reduction in contrast but better
tone.
c. Selection of above methods. Selection depends
upon requirements for:
(1) Best resolution - Method #1
(2) Best tonal rendition - Method #2
5. Cost Comparison - Color with B&W (According to EK)
a. Processing of SO-121 original cost 4 times that of
4404 B&W original. This is due mostly to slower processing
speed (more man-hours). The chemical cost is about twice as
much for B&W.
b. S0-121 duplicating cost is 12X that of 8430 B&W
duplicating material.
c. Color processing and duplicating of this type materials
will always be considerably higher than for B&W (no less
than 8 times for duplicating)
6. EK Proposal to Reduce Processing Cost
a. First, produce a BMW dupe from the original color
negative and sent to the user for quick scan.
b. The user scans the B&W dupe and selects areas of
.interest.
c. The selected areas are then transmitted back to the
processor for color duplicating of these areas in chips or
rolls which are then sent back to the user.
d. Many feet of color duplication can be eliminated
by the selection of areas of interest.
NOTE:. If coverage is to be made in both color and B&W simultaneously
as planned, the first step will be unnecessary since a dupe of the
B&W will already be in the hands of the interpreter and an additional
one would be unnecessary. �
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7. Elapse Time of Delivery of Color Copy
The elapsed times are calculated from the time of
receipt of Isoo ft..,of the processed color ON at EK.
These figures represent total EK production for one
mission.
a. / 4 days - delivery of B&W copy from original color.
b. / 6 days - first color copy delivered.
c. / 10 days - total of 3 color copies delivered.
d. / 14 days - 4 additional color copies (total of 7).
e. / li days - elapsed time for each additional color,
dupe.
C. Viewing
1. Light tables should be equipped with daylight fluorscent
tubes which are balanced for color (EK).
2. Ambient lighting should match (in color temperature) viewer
lighting. (EK).
D. Summary of Reports Made at 24 November Meeting
1. NRTSC - Findings based on white light color dupes only.
a. Conclusion - Color has specific advantages and dis-
advantages to each type of target or area of interest.
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b. Recommendations
. (1) Use color operationally
(2) Promote an R&D program in color films and
emulsions
(3) Conduct ground resolution tests
(4) Conduct interpretability tests
(5) Conduct format investigations
(6) Conduct additional flight tests over a variety
of targets.
(I Conduct R&D and Color processing and equipment.
(8 Add camouflage detection film to the system.
2. SAC Report
a. Comments
(1) Under high magnification the color layers
separate giving a sense of false stereo.
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(2) Color should always be used as a supplement -
the multi-sensor approach.
(3) Ideally, SAC would like stereo color in
addition to stereo B&W.
b. Recommendations
(1) It is recommended that B&W always be flown
with color.
(2) Recommend further color test missions.
3. DIA - AP Report
a. Comments
(1) Color in combination with B&W is ideal for
military geography and geology. Color has limited
value in interpretation of urban areas, underground
installations and detail targets..
(2) Color has good values for interpretation of
construction materials, new construction and materials
stored in the open.
(3) Evaluations of color should be subjective.
4. .GIMRADA Report
a. Comments
Primary interest is to use color in military
geography studies and in a rapid combat mapping system
which is currently being developed in conjunction with
A.
� 5. NPIC Report
a. Comments
(1) Color has a definite advantage over B&W for
scanning.
(2) If a camera system is capable of high system
resolution B&W is preferred for detailed readout. How-
ever, if a camera system produces a color resolution
that approximates the B&W resolution, color is preferred
since more is to be gained.
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b. Recommendations
(1) That more test missions be flown but test
flights be planned to simulate more of operational
conditions rather than the optimum conditions (good
sun angle, clear atmosphere, etc.) under which the
GT 64-148 was flown.
(2) That the NPIC be permitted to submit a list
of targets to be covered in order that the NPIC
evaluations will be based more on national requirements.
(3) That in the event it is decided to use color
operationally the Community be informed as far in advance
as possible in order that equipments can be obtained
or modified and laboratories can be prepared to handle
color material.
B. Conclusions
1.
will publish a summary Of the meeting. 50X1
2. For the time being color should be considered operational
only for atmospheric reconnaissance.
3. A narrow band printing of color material is preferred for
interpretation and is superior for photo lel work.
4. The increased cost of color is not considered highly
significant when the cost of the entire mission and exploitation
is considered.
5. The delayed delivery time of color materials maybe a
serious factor.
6. Color presents many problems for the photo laboratories
located at exploitation installations. Planning for the equipping
of these laboratories should be begun early.
7. An edge flasher should be developed so that titling can
be done on the original color negative.
8. Consideration must be given to reducing the number of
generations of color materials produced and distributed.
9. If the camera - lens system does not limit B&W film
�resolution, B&W should be flown in conjunction with color. On
.the other band if the camera limits the B&W resolution to say
50 1/mm, using color in both cameras may be desirable.
8.
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F. Requirements
1. That OSA plan for at least one more flight test of
color.
2. That (DIA) compile a target
list for OSA to use in planning flight missions.
3. That future tests simulate operational conditions and
include the factors of sun angle, ground environment, photo-
grammetrically controlled areas, and varying ground coverage
and vegetation.
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4. That R&D be continued in color films and processing and
in the development of viewing equipments, etc., for color materials.
NOTE: Subsequent to the meeting told the undersigned 50X1
that he was going to recommend to Dr. McMillan that one or two more
color test flights be flown and that consideration be given to using
color operationally same time next Spring.
IV. Actions to be Taken
It is recommended that subsequent to the distribution of this
summary to the NPIC components, the conclusion of the NPIC evaluation
report and the receipt of the evaluations of the other agencies by
NPIC, that the NPIC Staff study these reports and then hold a
conference in order that apparent problems can be identified and
that advanced planning can be started early enough for the Center to
be prepared to receive color materials When the time canes.
Plans Branch, P&DS
Distribution:
Same as Covering Memo(TCS#10926-64)
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