REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO EXPEND(Sanitiz FROM FY-1970 FUNDS FOR A GROUND ORDER-OF-BATTLE RESOLUTION STUDY CONTRACT WITH(Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05703A000200020022-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 22, 2003
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: May 31, 1970
• Content Type: MF

25X1 Approved For Release 2004/02/11: CIA-RDP78BO5703A000200020022-8
Approved For Release 2004/02/11: CIA-RDP78BO5703A000200020022-8
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3 1 MAR 1970
Copy
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, National Photographic Interpretation Center
SUBJECT Request for Approval to Expend from FY-1970 Fun25X1
for a Ground Order-of-Battle eso.u ion Study Contract
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1. This memorandum requests approval for the commitment of funds
for a contract. The specific request is contained in paragraph 7.
2. Image quality requirements for satellite reconnaissance systems
exert a major influence on the. costs of such systems. The more stringent
the specifications, the higher the development and production costs. Pho-
tographic ground resolution is a primary image quality variable affecting
intelligence extraction from reconnaissance exploitation. Empirical de-
termination of information yield as a function of improving image resolu-
tion can provide a critical input to objective acquisition system design.
Through the use of controlled imagery, simulating potential optical system
capabilities, resolution break points may be established for specific tar-
gets. These cutoffs, beyond which no further useful intelligence informa-
tion can be extracted from photography, act as guidelines to collection
planners who are thus able to compare intelligence requirements on one
hand with attendant system parameters and costs on the other, Conversely,
once the parameters of a new reconnaissance system have been designated,
those requirements that the system can be expected to fulfill may be com-
piled objectively by empirical investigations of PI output as a function
of anticipated image quality. Results of such studies must be target
specific, since interpretation of targets consisting of large components
usually can be accomplished with poorer ground resolution than that re-
quired for targets containing small components. Furthermore, usable re-
sults must be specific to particular PI functions. Mere target identifi-
cation as the interpreter's goal can generally be achieved with poorer
image quality than that needed for detailed technical analysis of the same
target.
Declass Review by NIMA/DOD
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 Approved Fu Release 2004/02/11: CIA-RDP78B05703A00
SUBJECT: Request for Approval to Expend iI from FY-1970 Funds
for a Ground Order-of-Battle Resolution Study Contract
3. The proposed study to be conducted by
will treat ground order-of-battle (GOB) targets. This
object category is of high priority in the Intelligence Community in terms
of both current denied area assessment via satellite reconnaissance and
future SALT environment inspection capabilities. Previous investigations
of intelligence extraction as a function of photographic ground resolution
have been conducted for such targets as aircraft, ICBM sites, and mobile
radars. The results of these studies have proven to be of great interest
and assistance to Community planners. Each study has produced results
unique to the specific target under consideration. The radar investigation
resulted in an indication of the most stringent ground resolution require-
ment because of the many small electronic components included in
the targets, Photo interpretation requirements in the GOB category are
becoming increasingly more detailed. It may very well be that future
analysis requirements can be met only by ground resolutions even finer
than those presently indicated for the electronics targets.
4. Developing data on intelligence extraction in the particular
area of ground order-of-battle equipment--as a function of photographic
ground resolution--will enable NPIC to respond with greater precision to
the needs of collection system designers and resource planners. Such
responses, giving proven technical data about the degree and quality of
intelligence which could be obtained relevant to various design resolutions,
enable better judgments to be made concerning value versus costs of alter-
native designs and objectives.
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The imagery utilized will simulate as closely as practicable the modulation
transfer function and scale as well as the resolution of present and
proposed acquisition systems. The study will employ NPIC photo inter-
preters and/or external PI's performing similar GOB analysis functions.
Approve For Release 2004/0~~+{x./I/.{{{ } : ~A P?9B05703A00012
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Approved For Release 2004/02/11: CIA-R
SUBJECT: Request for Approval to Expend~rom FY-1970 Funds
for a Ground Order-of-Battle Resolution Study Contract
with
Final results of the investigation should be available to the Community
enabling Center management to make a practical prediction of GOB readout
functional assignments and capabilities
The study's results will also depict those GOB requir.emen-s, i any, which
can be satisfied only with a ground resolution better than that expected
The proposed project will consist of two major
phases, data collection and data analysis. A final technical report will
be prepared upon completion of the study. =is currently under a
separate contract to prepare for the study by executing an experimental
design, by coordinating the acquisition and processing of domestic GOB
imagery and ground truth data, and formatting the required experimental
materials.
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6. 0 has been chosen to perform the proposed project because of
the contractor's experience gained and competence demonstrated on similar
previous efforts for NPIC. It is deemed inadvisable at this time to re-
quest open bids on such a project due to the absence of any other cleared
contractor well-versed in the extremely specialized nature of the research
involved. Estimated price of the work to be done under this contract is
under a separate Time and Materials contract
to NPIC, is assisting with several tasks in the current contract. It
is anticipated that will continue its support role to the effort
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proposed herein, under both YY-'(U & r'Y- (L Tunas. I l- r'C- 25)(~
ing the image processing portion of this program for approximately 2 5)(
under PAR 255 of Contract t_.
of GOB targets is being flown by an OSA/DDS&T aircraft covered by approxi-
mately l of miscellaneous services funds transferred from NPIC.
7. Successful completion of this contract could lead to further image
quality requirements studies to contribute to NPIC's imagery exploitation
planning. However, additional investigations of photographic ground reso-
lution as a critical variable probably will not be required. Similar studies
employing the simulated products of unconventional sensor systems, such as
line-scan, side-looking radar, or infra-red, are likely future requirements.
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SUIBJ ECT: Request; for Approval to Expend 0 from FY-1970 Funds
for a Ground Order-of--Battle Resolution Study Contract
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8. The sterility code, is appropriate for this work; the
Project officer will assign security classifications to the reports.
It is requested that the negotiation with
for a contract to conduct the program described at a cost
not to exceed 0 be approved.
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Chief, Technical Services Support Group,
NPIC
Attachments:
25X1 1. Proposal
2. Form 242
2 2 APR 1970
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ARTHUR C. LUNDAIFL
Director
National Photographic Interpretation Center
Distribution:
Copy 1 - NPIC/TSSG/SC&PS
2 - NP_I:C/ODir
3&4-NPIC/TSSG
5 - NPIC/TSSG/RED
Approved Fot
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Date
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