EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT PLANS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A002100050009-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 18, 2001
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: March 4, 1965
• Content Type: STUDY

Approved For Release 2001 ( P78BO4747AO02100050009-5
40 P65-1
S
EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE
DEVELOPMENT PLANS
March 4, 1965
DECLASS REVIEW by NIMA/DOD
Approved For Release 200 P78B04747A00210(V5OOO95
 Approved For Release 20011 -RDP78B04747A002100050009-5
25?
1.0 SUMMARY
proposes to perform an analysis
of the impact on exploitation capability which would be
created by introduction of wider input material. The study
will be cor.ducted in conformance with the requirements of
your letter request.
The study will consist of an evaluation of the most
promising alternatives to handling such a contingency in
terms of cast, time, and possible affects on quality and
efficiency. The product of the study will be a report
discussing significant finds and presenting recommendations
for development action appropriate to each contingency.
A time and material type contract is proposed as best
suited to the problem. The task is estimated to require
approximately 50 man days of effort. The final report is
to be delivered on or before 15 June 1965.
1
Approved For Release 200 3 78BO4747AO02100050009-5
 a'te . ~.._, t
Approved For Release 2001 kip`. ` P78B04747A002100050009-5
?
i
0,
9
2.0 PROBLEM DISCUSSION
The possibility exists that some future acquisition
system may produce an input which exceeds 91/2 inches in
width. It is prudent that plans for such an eventuality
be made in advance. Adequate contingency plans require a
thorough investigation of the impact of a wider film format
on exploitation operations and an evaluation of alternative
means of establishing an adequate" capability.
There are a number of factors which must be considered
in choosi.,g the best approach to handling wider film.
Ultimately, of course, there are the economic and lead time
aspects. This involves an accurate assessment of the extent
to which operations will be affected and analysis of the
feasibility of modifying present equipment or developing
entirely new instruments. Such would be a relatively simple
task if the prospect of a new film were to .e limited to a
specific size. The situation is considerably complicated,
however, by any uncertainty as to the exact widths which
might be encountered. Rather than conduct hasty studies at
each indication of a change it would appear more effective
and economical to explore the affects which any wider film
up to, say, 24 inches would have.
The objective of a broad approach to the problem would
be to develop a contingency plan or set of plans considering
alternative approaches to the whole spectrum of reasonably
probable film widths. A satisfactory solution for one film
width may not be the most effective for another.
2
Approved For Release 200$3-.Q 781304747A002100050009-5
4
 Approved For Release 2001/08/13`: CIA-RDP78BO4747AO02100050009-5
W
0
3.0 STUDY APPROACH
The problem of how to plan for the possibility of
wider film will consist of analyzing the cost and lead
time conseq,senees of several alternative equipment cons.Eier-
ations. Intuitively, some of these alternatives appear to'
have quite .restricted application. On the other hand, these
might be the optimum solution to a. specific width and cannot
be simply ignored. However, since the time available in
which to conduct this study may restrict its scope, some
alternative:, may be omitted by mutual agreement.
3.1 Consideration of Alternatives
3asica.Lly there are but two alternatives to the problem.
Either modify or duplicate all equipment to accommodate a
wider film?or develop processing equipment to convert input
material in some way to be compatible with ;resent viewing
and measuring equipment. There are, however, a number of
possible variations of the latter alternative with sufficient
promise to warrant further investigation.
Alternative 1 -`Convert all types of equipment required to
exploit wider film. This would require alteration, replacement,
or duplication of most of.the present equipment. A major
portion of the instruments now in use with 91/2" roll film
would be affected by even a slight increase in width. Except
for microstereoscopes and similar magnifying equipment and
some enlargers, most of the processing, viewing, and measuring
equipment would not accommodate wider film without some
modification. This appears, off hand, to represent the most
complete conversion required and would probably provide an
upper limit on costs. The actual costs would probably be some
direct function of film width.
Alternative 2 - Change the film width at the processing stage
to something compatible with present equipment. At the very
minimum such an approach probably requires development of new
3
Approved For Release 2001/0611-3: CFA-RDP78B04747A002100050009-5
 Approved For Release 20011 78B04747A002100050009-5
0
?
non-standard processing equipment. At the worst, it might
also affect the efficiency of the operation or the quality
of the exploitation material.
Alternatives 2a -- If wider film is an even multiple of one
of the widths in present use, a processor could be developed
to produce rolls of contact prints which can be accommodated
on present equipment without modification. This choice
would probably provide a least cost solution but only in the
fortuitous circumstance of such a readily compatible film
size.
If wider film is not an even multiple of one of the
present sizes several choices are available.
Alternative 2b - Develop a processor which would produce
contact positives in two or more widths which were less
than the present 9l/2" width. This would require modification
of the 91/2" equipment to accept the smaller size film,
possibly w::th some reduction in the efficiency of the
equipment. Although development costs of the processor
might be h:_gh, conversion of viewing and measuring equipment
would be relatively inexpensive.
Alternative 2c - Develop a processor which would produce two
or more 9112" wide contact prints from the original material.
If the input material were to be, for example, 18 inches there
would be an area of overlap 1 inch wide. Thus, there would be
duplication in viewing with attendant loss of efficiency but
this might be offset by savings in utilizing present equipment.
Alternative 2d - As alternatives to either 2b or 2c develop
a processo^ which would produce contact prints of a compatible
width at 911? to the long axis of the original roll of film.
The efficiency of this approach would depend upon the other
dimension of the original format. The approach would have
4
Approved For Release 200 IN 3,- P78B04747A002100050009-5
 Approved For Release 2001/0 /13 : C1 -RDP781304747A002100050009-5
the advantage of producing a roll of film which would fit
present equipment with no alterations although it rnight
also result in some increase in the number of rolls to be
handled.
Alternative 2e - Still another option would be consideration
of optical enlargement or reduction rather than contact
printing. One or more compatible widths might be produced
in this manner from a single input roll. It is recognized
that some loss of re:,olution might occur in a reduction in
size. Howeever, under some circumstances such an approach
should at least be considered. For example, if a 10-11"
wide input material were to appear, the slight loss in
reducing to 91/2" might be an acceptable alternative to
altering all of the other equipment!
These alternatives are meant to be illustrative rather
than exhaustive. The possibility of still other options is
apparent ar.d more will be considered in the course of the
study. Thcse discussed do, however, represent concepts to he
studied in deriving development plans.
3.2 Conduct of Study
The evaluation of alternative approaches will consist of
a review of present and projected equipment, analysis of the
feasibility of modifications, and a determination of the time
and cost aspects of each.
Much of the information regarding present equipment is
already available as part of another study. The characteristics
of equipment under development is available from internal
sources.
The fusibility of modifying current and projected
equipment will be determined to the extent possible from past
experience. Where such guides are inappropriate and for the
Approved For Release 200
78B04747A002100050009-5
 Approved For Release 20011087f3 t DP78B04747A002100050009-5
0
25X1A
?
0
?
cases where entirely new equipment would be required it will
he necessary to confer with equipment suppliers.
The study will be conducted in cooperation with M 25X1A
rho is
particularly kno,?7ledgeable about the operational aspects.
The Study effort will be about equally divided between your
facility and our offices in In addition to the 25X1A
travel necessitated by the time to be spent at your office,
visits with certain equipment suppliers and are 25X1A
anticijat d .
To corplete this task by mid June without unduly delaying
the maintenance study a starting date in mid 'larch is required.
6
Approved For Release 20011Q l;1 1 - DP78B04747A002100050009-5
 Approved For Release 2001/08143 ,CIA tIAEBB04747A002100050009-5
ii. . 1 CO -7T E`aTI MATF
13ec3u,=e of the many unce,rtainti: s, the short tirn
schedule, and the factors not directly under the control
of the con-:ractor, this study is proposed on a time and
material basis. With the anticipated s alitt:~ns; of ti with the maintenance study, costs- are included for only
21/2 round trips to D. C. rather than the t+ planne.i.
P78BO4747AO02100050009-5