PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUND RESOLUTION ON PHOTO INTERPRETATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00873A001600040032-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2012
• Sequence Number: 32
• Publication Date: April 18, 1969
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/30: CIA-RDP79B00873AO01600040032-9
PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ON
THE EFFECTS OF PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUND RESOLUTION
ON PHOTOINTERPRETATION
((GROUND ORDER OF BATTLE TARGETS)
April 18, 1969
C' r- `NDET
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ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
TECHNICAL DISCUSSION
WORK STATEMENT
SCHEDULES
EXPENDITURE RATE
COMMENT ON SCHEDULES AND EXPENDITURE RATE
DELIVERABLE ITEMS
GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT
PERSONNEL
NOTES
ESTIMATED COSTS
QC7 DrT
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2. To obtain and prepare materials for a study of the effects of
ground resolution on the interpretation of ground forces using
real ground force equipment as targets.
It is estimated that the costs will be as follows:
which was recently completed
PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ON
THE EFFECTS OF PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUND RESOLUTION
ON PHOTOINTERPRETATION
ABSTRACT
This is a proposal to perform the following tasks:
1. To study the effects of photographic ground resolution on the
interpretation of military vehicles using scale models as
targets, and to relate the results of the study to the results
of a line-scan image interpretation study of the same targets
This is a proposal to extend the scope of work being conducted under
to include a study of the effects of variations in
photographic ground resolution on the interpretation of ground-order-of-
battle targets.
1
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Modern photographic reconnaissance systems are enormously expensive,
and the attainment of better ground resolutions implies greater expense.
The relation between resolution and expense probably is not a linear
one; improving ground resolution by a factor of two, for example,
probably means an increase in system expense by much more than a factor
of two. Furthermore, improvements in ground resolution may imply a
decrease in area coverage.
For these reasons the intelligence community should continue the
effort to determine what additional significant intelligence information
is obtained with improvements in ground resolution. Such knowledge is
vital to the evaluation of proposed systems.
No one has yet been able to develop an objective relation between
intelligence information and dollars. For one reason, the value of
intelligence information varies over time and it is difficult, if not
impossible, to foresee entirely what information will be valuable in
the future. Nevertheless, the effort to determine what information
better ground resolutions permit the photointerpreter to obtain should
continue, so as to provide the people responsible for designing and
evaluating systems with an additional source of relevent data.
Thus far two studies of the effects of ground resolution on the
interpretation of targets have been completed. The targets in the first
were domestic, offensive ICBM sites; the targets in the second were
scale models of mobile radars. Technical reports describing these
studies have been submitted to the sponsor. In addition briefings on
them have been given both to the sponsor and to other organizations
in the intelligence community.
2
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Offensive missile targets were selected for the first study because
of their significance to the intelligence community. The results showed
that because of their reletively simple external configurations "very
good" ground resolutions were not required to exploit fully the intel-
ligence in overhead photogrpahs of them.l
The fact was recognized then, and still is, that the effects of
ground resolution on interpretation is "target specific". That is, one
class of targets requires better ground resolution than another for the
complete exploitation of overhead photography.
For that reason a similar study was done with mobile radars
serving as targets. They were selected because of the greater detail
visible in their external configurations -- the antennas, horns, feeder
lines, and so on. The results showed that significantly .better ground
resolutions are required for radars than for missile sites to exploit
fully the intelligence in overhead photography.
It has been suggested that ground forces as a class of targets
might require even better ground resolutions than radars for the complete
exploitation of photography. Therefore, it is proposed that additional
studies similar to the missile and radar studies be conducted with
ground equipment as the targets; more specifically, it is proposed
that two studies be done in the following two phases:
Phase I:
Ia. A study of the effects of ground resolution on the inter-
pretation of military vehicles using scale models as targets (the
"model" study).
The specific results are not presented because of security.
3
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'Ib. The preparation of materials for a study of the effects
of ground resolution on the interpretation of ground forces using
real ground force equipment and personnel as targets (the "field"
study).
Phase II: Execution of the field study
This proposal is to conduct Phase I only.
TECHNICAL DISCUSSION
It is proposed that Phase Ia, a study be conducted to determine the
effects of ground resolution in six steps on the interpretation of scale
models of military vehicles. The interpretation task will include
target classification (for example: tank!or truck?) and target identifi-
cation (for example: tank type A or tank type B?). The photointerpreters'
(P.I.s') task will be to. match photographs of the models with the models
themselves which will be placed in front of them. In that sense, the
task will be similar to the operational task of matching a photograph
of a target with a target shown in a P.I. key or in collateral sources
such as ground photography.
recently
completed a study of line-scan imagery using the aforementioned models
of military vehicles as targets. The original negative photograph
used to produce the line-scan imagery for that study would be used to
produce GEMS2 (photographs produced to simulate carefully specified
modulation transfer functions) for the model study proposed here. That
photograph was made under nearly optimum conditions of contrast and
shadow definition. This fact plus the nature of the task to be given
? See previous
reports.
4
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the P.I.'s -- comparing the photographs with the actual models -- will
lead to results showing the poorest ground resolution at which military
vehicles can be classified and identified at any specified degree of
accuracy. Such results should have practical implications for mission
planning and system design requirements. And for the purposes of the
research proposed here, they will aid in determining the limits of ground
resolution that should be used in the subsequent field study. They will
also permit the development of empirical relations between photographic
and line-scan image interpretation. The latter point is significant
because of the likely increase in the use of line-scan images (and real-
time interpretation) and the desirability of applying the data available
on photointerpretation to line-scan image interpretation.
It is proposed that in Phase Ib, preparations be made to perform
an experimental study of the effects of ground resolution using photo-
graphs of real, domestic ground force targets. Technical discussions
of the purposes and methods of such a study are given in the missile
and radar study reports and so will not be repeated here.
WORK STATEMENT
In Phase Ia, the model study, the following tasks would be performed:
Task 1. Preparation of photographic stimulus materials (GEMS) and,
computation of associated modulation transfer functions.
Task 2. Development of the experimental design, instructions, and
P.I. response recording method.
Task 3. Selection of experimental subjects and collection of
experimental data.
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Task 4. Analysis of data.
Task 5. Preparation of the technical report and briefing.
In Phase Ib, preparation for the field study, the following tasks
would be performed.:
Task 1. Selection and procurement of the required aircraft and
camera.
Task 2. Selection, procurement, and placement of appropriate
targets.
Task 3. Construction or procurement and placement of test targets.
Task 4. Collection of "ground truth" information.
Task 5. Collection of photography.
cannot take the entire responsibility for the successful
performance of these tasks in Phase Ib. Successful performance of
them will require support from the sponsor
SCHEDULES
Starting
Date
Phase Ia: The Model Study
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U OL W~r ! Q
Starting
Date 1
Phase Ib: Preparation for the Field Study
EXPENDITURE RATE
It is expected that the expenditure rate will be approximately
per month, a linear projection.
COMMENT ON SCHEDULES AND EXPENDITURE RATE
It should be recognized that this proposal is to conduct applied
research in an operational environment. The work must be done on a
not-to-interfere basis,. and the contractor is dependent in many ways on
the support of the sponsor. Furthermore, if they are going to be most
productive, applied as well as basic research scientists must be respon-
sive~to unexpected problems or discoveries. Consequently, the Schedules
and Expenditure Rate proposed are rough estimates.
DELIVERABLE ITEMS
Technical reports will be submitted at the completion of each study.
Briefings describing the results of the work will be given at the request
of the sponsor.
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Progress reports will be given to the sponsor orally at least
every month. Written progress reports will be submitted at the request
of the sponsor.
A summary report will be submitted at the conslusion of the contract.
GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT
For the acquisition of certain data and material under this contract,
the sponsor will assist in arranging for the use of Government facilities
and equipment.
PEROSNNEL
The research work will be conducted by
It is anticipated that
will assist in some phases of the work.
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1. The overhead rate shown in this proposal is a bidding
rate. Overhead is allocated to contracts on the basis
of a rate derived from actual overhead expenses allowable
under cost-type contracts in accordance with ASPR XV, and
is audited each calendar year by the Defense Contract
Audit Agency, 11099 La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles,
California 90045.
2. Bidder is not dominant in its field of operation and
with affiliate4 employs fewer than 500 employees.
3. The prices of the items covered do not exceed those paid
by any other purchaser from the contractor and the Govern-
ment is placed in the most favored price category.
4. Prices are based on straight time.
5. Bidder represents that he has not employed or retained
a company or person (other than a full-time employee)
to solicit or secure this contract and agrees to furnish
information thereto as requested by the Contracting
Officer.
6. Bidder is incorporated in the State of Nevada.
7. Bidder is a profit institution as determined by the
April 15, 1969
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