VIEWS ON THE AEGIS SYSTEM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05703A000300010031-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 31, 2003
• Sequence Number: 31
• Publication Date: April 9, 1970
• Content Type: MF

"}EMORANDUM FOR: .i 7P12
EG
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20. AEGIS Search SyStem
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JCLL. 10
were no all ac corelince with other re .cti nnsvocws
NPIC per soi,nel. z7iere ex e were
Last; Friday'una received from co:n11ents on a briefing by CRS
on the. AEGIS Subject S arch system, in his
presented ware 1i paper stated} ~
a group of seven. people in the Centc z,,,}lo Svezlti
to headquarters to see a briefing on this
did not like system on the 7 lth of
y stern or feel that 1-
t
sent a copy of
ad applzccoixan to the , ,
with the s report to asking him whether they concurru,
:cement and if not or a report on IEG's obsorvationc,
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Declass Review by NGA
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IEG/OD-164/70
9 April 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Operations Division
SUBJECT Views on the Aegis System
1. Limited use is being made of the Aegis System in the Imagery
Exploitation Group because of a lack of familiarity with the system,
problems in using it and possibly because of changing information needs.
Several analysts are using the system and several more IEG analysts have
heard the briefing on the system given at the Central Reference Service.
Despite the limited usage and some complaints about the service, most
agree that the system has considerable potential.
2. Several analysts of two divisions are making use of the system
at varying intervals and degrees. The system initially produces refer-
ences to documents (titles and numbers) rather than specific information
itself. Afterwards, the system can in some cases produce the specific
information. The analysts reported some inconvenience because they were
unable to understand the codes used in the printout. One analyst said
she asked for copies of the key to this code but was refused the book.
The key is also said to show the number of times a given descriptor oc-
curs in the system. This would enable an analyst to make a rough check
as to whether any information existed under a given subject or not.
Comment was made that support received under this system depended in
part upon the work done by the supporting analyst at CRS. Some CRS
analysts provide more service than others, sending both listings and
copies of some of the documents themselves. Another shortcoming men-
tioned was that the collection dates back only to 1967. Information
dated prior to that time must be retrieved via other means. The system
apparently uses several machine programs judging from the varying com-
puter printouts received from CRS. CRS briefers were quoted as saying
the system would furnish relevant references at the rate of about 44
percent, a relatively low figure. Nevertheless, documents useful in
support of photo interpretation have been received. On the other hand,
one analyst complained that she had been asked to come to CRS to review
printouts of documents in order to narrow a search. Unfortunately, she
did not have transportation to Headquarters. Another analyst complained
about working through third parties in order to obtain the information
she wanted but here again better understanding by both users and Head-
quarters analysts could bring improvement.
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IEG/OD-16470
9 April 1970
SUBJECT: Views on the Aegis System
3. IEG personnel who have heard the briefings on the Aegis System
have been impressed with its potential. They like the idea of several
reference services combined into one. Unfortunately the potential has
not been achieved because of some of the difficulties already mentioned.
Another obstacle is the lack of understanding by some of the people in
the group of the capabilities and procedures for using the system. From
my conversation with several analysts, I obtained the impression that
there is no automated collateral alternative available to them. Selective
information retrieval systems in our building are slow. A comment was
also made that there is generally less use of collateral in the group now
than before the reorganization. This could have a considerable impact on
our future collateral information needs.
4. While comments on the Aegis System were mixed, there was agree-
ment as to the value of the rapid scan machine, also demonstrated at CRS
to IEG people. The ability of the rapid scan machine to quickly search
our entire target brief file on the basis of few selective terms appears
to have considerable value in the group. This machine makes possible for
the user an opportunity to browse a large body of information (for example,
our target brief file) and rapidly obtain relevant information. Analysts
at OSR use the rapid scan machine as a means to obtain what they need from
the target brief file and it could be used in similar fashion here.
5. In summary, the Aegis System offers promise but work needs to be
done to improve understanding and service. We have attached with this
memo a copy of the description of the Aegis System prepared by an IEG
analyst who attended the briefing at Headquarters. Also included is his
memorandum for the record describing the briefing.
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Technical P ping Branch, OD
IEG/NPIC
Attachment:
As stated
Distribution:
1 - NPIC/IEG/OD
1 - NPIC/IEG
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IEG/03?-72/70
27Feb-ruary 1970
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M}tn1OI1AN nUM TOR: Chief, Operations Division, IEC.;
SUBJECT: Aegis Briefing, headquarters,
12 February 1970
2. Attachment hl is a resume of the initial investigation of Aegis
conducted by LEG/O]). The following information was obtained during
subject briefing of Cent.er personnel:
A. A demonstration was given of thel RSM I=C,
a Rapid Search Machine which is capable of scanning text at the
rate of 140,000 characters per second and printing output at the
rate of 400 characters per second. A tape of EPIC target briefs
on Soviet and European Satellite Country Ground Force Military in-
stallations was searched against the keyword "FROG". We were
shown how the machine could present complete "blips" or concentrate
on the single word and 50 words adjacent thereto on either side of
it in the text. Members of our touring party requested searches
be made on two specific keywords and received the expected answers
within a period of 1--2 minutes. The RSM has a number of special
files to which it can respond, most of them furnished by other
Agency components such as OCI and OSR. however, the AEGIS docu--
ment file of coded entries made since October 1967 is also avail-
able for search.
B. Open source foreign language publications are NOT subject
coded as a matter of course. They are sent directly to area
analysts who may select specific items of interest for coding and
input into AEGIS. Biographic and installation files are still
maintained in a manually retrieved, hard copy file. Approximately
3/5 of the personnel are engaged in -servicing biographic materials
files, only 100 are available for other input to the system, which
requires Information Services Group to be very selective in pro-
cessing. Three to four hundred thousand information reports,
translations, evaluated reports and. graphics arc coded into AEGIS
yearly. -
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IEG/OD/72/70
27 February 1.970
SUBJECT.': Aegis Briefing, IIeadquarters,
12 Fcbruarj- 3.970
C. 0 suggest-cd that whenever NPIC analysts have some
new area. of interest to explore, they might contact counterparts
in Central Reference Service and arrange for special attention to
documents relating to the subject. With such information inputted
to AEGIS and capable of recall in most instances within a working
day, it would prove most valuable for indepth research for third--
phase reports. it was explained that the 24 hour recall time was
accepted as standard because AEGIS queries are run on evening
shift and available consequently on the following morning.
3. NPIC personnel present:
Technical Planning Branch, OD
NPIC
Attachment: a/s
T)i..stribut.ion:
1 - NPIC/ILG/OD
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IFG SYSTEMS SURVdY
PACT SlIEST 10.
PREPARED BY OPERATIONS DIVISION, 7.I G
1.9 February 1970
Aegis System
Ol^)NIP/II;~Vrl_n1?},R
The Aegis System was devised and is presently operated by the
Central Reference Service (CP,S) /Information Services Group (ISG)
and the Support Services Group (SSG),
S YS `J.'ER1 l?'EATURE S
The Aegis project is a "subject search system" which is replacing
the Intellofax System, the Special Register SI machine runs, and
the J.PI and which provides a listing and/or reference to current
pertinent documents.
The primary objective of developing the Aegis System was to provide
a rapid "rechll" system of current intelligence materials.
Previously, it was necessary to query Biographies, Graphics
Register, Special Register, industrial Register, etc, for all
material related to a specific query. The Aegis System is an
attempt to automate all information into a single computerized
system.
At present, OSR, OSI, OCI, ODGI, SRS, DDP, OTR and NPIC have been
utilizing Aegis for collateral references.
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INPUT--OUTPUT
Intelligence Bathe- -ed by CRS is carefully indexed anc3./or coded and
screened by Selection Officers before it is inputted into the com--
puter:. At present., there exists approximately ten (10) different
formats which can be used depend_i-nq on the requesters' desires or
needs.
,rte
Recall is by "keyrwords" or by nvu d-ers or by a combination of both.
(see attachment for 360 printout)
SOFTWAPE
It is pertinent to note that the selection of intelligence for input
is much more refined than the previous systems. Much of the irrele-
vant materials received by the agency are not inputted. The tests
that have been conducted so far re the system indicate a 4426 accuracy
recall on a first query. After analysis of the initial run by the
selection officers the second runs have resulted in a 75% relevancy -
figure which appears to satisfy requesters.
The hardware utilized for this recall system presently consists of
one IBM 360/50 computer (model 1) , which includes a 512 K memory,
2 channel selectors and 1 multiplex selector.
The one 360/50 computer is currently satisfying the requests levied
on the system. However, because the system is new and many analysts
are novj aware of its capabilities, CRS envisages the need for a
greater machine capability when more intelligence officers become
acquainted with its capabilities.
This system is presently being used sparingly by IEG personnel. Its
existence is known by a few intelligence analysts who feel it will
provide little information in support of our missions at this time.
Those analysts desiring Aegis searches should contact PSG/Information
Branch for search arrangements.