EXISTING PROCESSING AND EXPLOITATION CAPABILITIES RELATED TO ACQUISITION OF MIDDLE EAST PHOTO COVERAGE BY THE U2-R OR SR-71

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05703A000700020012-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 8, 2003
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: March 6, 1970
• Content Type: REPORT

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DATE
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-3/6/70
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FINANCE
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Declass Review by NIMA/DOD
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SUBJECT: Existing Processing and Exploitation Capabilities Related to
Acquisition of Middle East Photo Coverage by the U2-R or SR-71
ASSUMPTIONS AND TEPI1S
1. We assume that coverage of the Middle East will be acquired with
either the SR-71 cameras, or the U2-R 11113 (11) or IRIS II camera systems
using black and white film.
2. For the purpose of this memo conventional processing is defined as
the single gamma spray processing currently available at all processing
sites mentioned. Dual gamma viscous processing is considered to be
unconventional. processing since it involves special equipment and trained
personnel presently available
Dual gamma viscous
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processing, however, would be the best way to process all aircraft photography
acquired in the Middle East since it provides optimum quality by assisting
in compensating for over-exposure conditions.
3. This memo gives primary consideration to collection by one flight
in a one-time crisis effort. For continual photo coverage over a long
period of time, statements are included in the covering recommendations.
4. The preparation of major processing sites by various Government
Agencies for optimum processing, reproduction and exploitation of photo
products is an on-going effort, and therefore the information provided
herein is subject to change. (e.g. NRO is now shipping dual gamma processing 25X1
equipment
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SUBJECY': Existing Processing and Exploitation Capabilities Related to
Acquisition of Middle East Photo Coverage by the U2-R or SR-71
5. NPIC can provide support in all fadets of reproduction and
exploitation if needed and requested.. In any case, the original negative
would be sent on to the U.S. for further reproduction and exploitation.
Several alternatives are available for effective processing, reproduc-
tion and exploitation of special mission products. Listed below are the
existing processing and exploitation sites along with their major advantages
and disadvantages.* 1e
A. Aircraft Carrier - U2-R Only - Process and exploit film on an
aircraft carrier: The OSA assures the Community that the capability for
landing a U2-R aircraft on a carrier would be available. The main
advantage would be rapid exploitation of imagery.
Disadvantages include:
1. Conventional processing of the original negative would
be under field conditions with equipment and personnel that are
not checked out for this type of U2-R effort, and which have
never processed original negatives from the 111B, IRIS II cameras.
Dual gamma processing would require modifications to existing
equipment or use of special "fly-away kits," and training of
personnel.
*See attached table.
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SUBJECT: Existing Processi.nh mr, htion Capabilities Related to
Acquisition of Middle East Photo Coverage by the U2-R or Sit-71
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2. PI's, PI equipment and collateral on the designated air-
craft carrier would have to be evaluated prior to the first mission
flight, and might have to be supplemented.
B.1 IU2-R or SR-71 with flight terminating in Europe and
readout beginning within three-to-six hours.
1. Advantages include:
has proven its capability for conventional
processing of original negatives in a recent
exercisek involving three missions.
b.
has a TKII facility staffed with at least
20 PI's, and can draw on the USAFUR for additional PI's (some
originally from NPIC).
c. PI equipment and collateral are available, with
collateral especially oriented toward Russian equipment
readout. ' EXSUI3COM is taking action to provide COMIREX
exploitation target lists to the
2. Disadvantage:
has never processed original
negatives from the 111B, IRIS II cameras and the SR-71 cameras.
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SUBJECT: Existing Processing and Exploitation Capabilities Related to
Acquisition of Middle Bast Photo Coverage by the U2-R or SIZ-71 25X1
D. I I- U2-R and SR-71 with readout beginning within nine-to-
eighteen hours if flight terminates in Europe, or three-to-six hours if
flight terminates in U.S.
1. Advantages include:
capability for dual gamma viscous processing
had been proven.
b. If a crisis type readout is desired, NPIC PT's and
their collateral could leave for the site when it was known
that the mission was successful. Readout could be begun at
NPIC within a few hours after processing of the film
c. Good reproductions could be provided almost
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simultaneously with the processing of the original negatives. 25X1
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Acquisition of Middle Est Photo Coverage by the U2-R or SR-71
d. Complete photo science support (in the form of
providing special enlargements, density cuts and special
contrast transparencies, etc.) would be available to the PI's.
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2.. Disadvantages include: Bad weather could delay flight
traffic involving film shipments.
E. SPPF Westover AFB - U2-R and SR-71 with readout beginning
within nine-to-eighteen hours after flight terminates in Europe or three-
to-six hours if flight terminates in U.S.
1. Advantages include:
a. PI's, equipment and collateral could be sent to the
processing site if crisis type readout is required when it is
known the mission was successful. Readout could be done at
NPIC within a few hours after the film is processed at SPPF.
b. SPPF has proved its capability for conventional
processing of original negative material.
c. Reproduction of material could begin almost simul-
taneously with arrival of the original negative.
d. Some photo science support could be made available
to PI's sent to Westover.
2. Disadvantages include:
a. Bad weather could delay flight traffic involving
film shipments.
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b. SPPF has very limited PI equipment available at
this time.
c. SPPF has never processed original negatives from
the 1118, IRIS II cameras and the SR-71 cameras.
U2-R and SR-71 with readout beginning nine-to-eighteen
SUBJECT: Existing Processing and Exploitation Capabilities Related to
Acquisition of Middle Fast Photo Coverage by.the U2-R or SIZ-71
hours after flight terminates in Europe or three-to-six hours if flight
terminates in U.S.
1. Advantages include:
a. [:::Jas proven that it can conventionally process
the original negatives from both 111B and IRIS II cameras,
and could handle the SR-71 film.
b. PI's, their equipment and some collateral are at the
0
processing is complete at
facility. NPIC could provide support as needed and
requested. Quick reproductions can be made available to
NPIC within two-to-three hours after original negative
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SUBJECT: Existing Processing and Exploitation Capabilities Related to
Acquisition of Middle East Photo Coverage by the U2-R :or' SR-71
1.. The purpose of special aircraft photo reconnaissance of Egypt
would be to increase our chances of detecting -- at an early date -- any
Soviet delivery and deployment to Egypt of additional types of weapons
systems. For that purpose, the quality of the photography as obtained and
processed could be a critical input to the photo interpreter's ability to
identify and distinguish between subtle shapes and dimensions such as of
crates, differing versions of a given type of military aircraft, and
relatively small missile systems.
2. Given the choice, the photo interpreter should be provided with
the best quality film possible for the purpose. The best quality readout
will be obtained through processing the film
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and conducting 25X1
the interpretation at NPIC. The disadvantage could be the time this course
would take -- some three to eighteen hours from the time of photography to
the beginning of the readout depending on the place of flight termination.
3. If time is too critical to permit that course to be taken, then
the best alternative way to serve the purpose would be to process and
exploit the film at
The disadvantages to this course include
less than the best processing quality, less than the best exploitation con-
ditions, and the probability that any significant finds must be verified
by moving the relevant film to Washington for confirmation readout.
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Conventional
Dual Gamma
PIs
PI
Photo
Reaction
i
ON
Viscous
PIs
Equipment
Collateral
Reproduction
Science
Time after
S
te
Processing
Processing
Available
Available
Available
Capability
Support
Flt Terminates
Comments
Aircraft
Carrier
yes
no*
yes
yes
yes
Very limited
no.
Minutes
Selected carrier
should be checked
prior to flight
to determine
specific quali-
ty of capabili-
ties. NPIC
support could
be provided if
needed and re-
quested.
*A fly-away it
may be provided
for dual gamma
processing;
however, person-
nel training
would be re-
quired.
yes yes yes Limited no 3-6 hrs.
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*Dual gamma viscous
processing will
be available in
a few months.
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Site
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Conventional Dual Gamma PIs PI
ON Viscous PIs Equipment Collateral
Processing Processing Available Available Available
yes no yes yes yes
yes yes no* yes no**
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3A000700020012-4
Photo
Reaction
Reproduction
Science
Time After
Capability
Support
Flt Terminates
Comments
Limited
no
=3-6 hrs.
Extensive
yes
9-18 hrs.
*NPIC PIs would
have time to
be in place
when film ar-
rives.
**PIs would
have to bring
their col-
lateral.
SPPF
(Westover) yes no* no**' yes*** no Extensive yes 9-18 hrs. *DGV
processing
will be avail-
able shortly.
**PIS and
collateral
would have
time to be
emplaced prior
to arrival of
film.
***PIS could use
film. handling
table and
scopes avail-
able at site.
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Conventional Dual Gamma PIs PI
25X1 ON Viscous PIs Equipment Collateral
Site Processing Processing Available Available Available
yes no yes* yes* yes*
057300700020012-4
Photo
Reaction
Reproduction.
Science
Time After
Capability
Support
Flt Terminates
Comments
Extensive
no**
9-18 hrs.
*NPIC support
(i.e., PIs,
equipment,
and collateral)
could be avail-
able in a
matter of
minutes if
needed and
requested.
**Photo Science
Support could
be conducted
at NPIC.
9th Strategic
Recon Wing yes no yes yes yes Extensive no 9-18hrs.
Beale AFB
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