NOTES ON MC&G WORKING GROUP MEETING OF 20 OCTOBER 1972

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B01709A000400040018-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 28, 2004
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: October 27, 1972
• Content Type: MF

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SUBJECT . Notes on MC&G Working Group
Meeting of 20 October 1972
1. I lopened the meeting (at Albert Hall,
Topographic Center) by briefing the group on the "tools" that NRO
has available for planning and controlling the "take" from the T-KH
camera systems. He described how the various weighting factors
and the weather thresholds can be manipulated in simulations before
the mission and during the day-by-day review of operations.
Although no one could absorb all the details, his effective
presentation certainly made the group more sensitive to the
potential for directing the collection operations of both the pan and
the mapping camera so as to satisfy the MC&G high priority require-
ments.
2. The status of the coverage requirements for the
12-inch mapping camera was discussed. The requirements have
been integrated sufficiently by DMA so that can proceed with
his simulations, but DMA is expecting to make some additional
modifications before the final requirements are turned over.
simulation for the mapping camera "take"
provide
the following results: area attempted-
3. 1 -1 then outlined the proposal for a
quick-response L Area istory File, usin the basic data
provided by Topographic Center and having unit
do the recording and reporting of MC&G collection accomp ishment,
supported by CIA's Cartography Division for the preparation of
subject, his recommendations to establish an informal working
group to study and draft out the details was accepted without any
controversy.
necessary graphics. Thanks to previous briefings on the
NRO review(s) completed.
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4. then reported on the status of his
subgroup's draft recommendation on the continuation of en ineering
desi nn the improved lens for the 25X1
IIowas pushing for getting this draft over to you for your
approval. However, I emphasized that this was a
preliminary draft which still needed to be coordinated with DIA
and approved by General Penney. I I the DIA representative. LOA-1
raised a question concerning the propriety of an expenditure for a ZbAl
requirement which has not been established officially.
of NRO made the point that the justification, which is needed now,
for even the immediate smaller amount must 25X1
consider the alternative of using the pan photography to satisfy
the requirement; furthermore, the requirement for the larger
sum of buying the improved resolution cameras must be fully
justified by June 1973.
5? of the DMA Topographic Center briefly
reviewed the status o is work on handling and processing the future
film from the Since the full details of the
answers that he had worked out in conjunction with EXSUBCOM
and had been appended to the minutes of the last
MC Working Group meeting, there were only a few spot questions
concerning the procedures. was almost finished with his review,
and expected to be able to brief COMIREX around the end of November.
He will continue to monitor the handling and processing procedures
until all t oredurns are fully operational and working without
hitches. provided a one-word answer to my question
why DMA was processing the film--costs. He pointed out that the
cost factor was also behind farming out the processing of intelligence
film to the maximum possible extent to Westover and NPIC. Earlier
had shown me some documentation indicating that NRO had
initiated the request for DMA (then DIAMC) processing as far back
as 1969. There is still an element of doubt about the timing of the
drop of the mapping bucket. Both now feel it will 25X1
be dropped whenever it is filled, which accor ing to preliminary 25X1
simulations should be after the third bucket. expects to get a 25X1
definitive answer on the timing in his next trip to the West Coast.
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6. With respect to the agenda item on procedures for
handling MC&G guidance to NRO developmental efforts,
outlined
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the substance of the two attached drafts, which he had drawn up on
the basis of suggestions from
(who
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reflected the views of the NRO staff). The general concepts of the
MC&G Working Group developing explicit justifications in terms of the
degree of need and the savings of time, manpower, and costs for the
specific requirements, and passing the justifications and recommendations
through the Chairman, COMIREX, for NRO study of potential feasibility,
cost, and impact were accepted without discussion. I
Ipointed out
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that the results of the NRO studies will furnish t
he basis for
the final
COMIREX r
i
d
id
b
l
S
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ev
ew an
gu
ance.
u
sequent
y, I
indicated
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to
that adherence to these procedures would make NRO's job
easier. Copies of the two memoranda have been given t
o
7. In view of the extended briefings and discussions
characteristic of recent Working Group meetings,
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indicated a more frequent scheduling in the future until the ac og
is cleared up.
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DRAFT :I I 25X1
SUBJECT : Draft Procedures for the MC&G
Working Group in Handling Requirements
through the COMIREX
REFERENCE . Draft Memo to the Director, NRO Staff,
from the Chairman, COMIREX
1. For the immediate and near future, guidance and
justification statements not included in formal COMIREX papers for
USIB review will follow the procedures outlined in reference.
2. Also, as indicated in reference, the MC&G Working
Group will be responsible for developing any necessary revision of
collection requirements to be included in the COMIREX Long Range
Guidance for NRO Fiscal Planning, including the degree and the nature
of the need for meeting these requirements. Horizontal and vertical
accuracies for MC&G materials for specified support over the next
five years should be described, with indication of the seriousness of
short-comings if improvements in current and assured improvements
in collection configurations can be demonstrated to make these
accuracies unobtainable.
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3. In each case, explicit justifications for the resultant
mapping, charting, and point-positioning data should be given in
terms of recognized over-all military support needs, in terms of
priorities. Where would there be MC&G benefits, in terms of
savings in time, manpower, and costs, in the next five-year period,
if improvements were developed to meet newly stated accuracy and
area coverage requirements?
4. Cogent, annual submissions by the Working Group for
inclusion in the over-all COMIREX guidance for NRO fiscal planning
would provide the basis for action by the NRO.
5. Meanwhile, as developments might dictate, justifications
and recommendations for specific improvements by the NRO will
continue to be submitted by the Working Group through the Chairman,
COMIREX, for NRO study in terms of potential feasibility, cost, and
impact. The NRO response will furnish the basis for COMIREX
review and guidance to the NRO.
6. With respect to the procedures outlined above, it is
understood that there will be frequent and informal interchange of ideas
between DMA scientists and technicians in the MC&G field and NRO
staff in order to identify, and expedite the presentation of justifications
for, potential NRO research and developmental projects of interest
to the MC &G community.
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, NRO Staff
SUBJECT . Handling of Guidance on MC&G Requirements
for NRO Technical Developments and Revised
Photographic Coverage
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REFERENCES : a. Memorandum for Director, NRO
Staff, from Chairman OM t + X
27 September 1971 25X1
b. Memorandum for the Chairman,
COMIREX, from the Acting Chairman,
MC&G Working Group, 21 April 1972
1 1
1. Last year, in reference a, COMIREX noted MC&G
interests in several NRO potential developments in addition to its
response to your request of 22 March 1971 directed to the
Chairman, MC&G Working Group.
2. At the present time, in contrast to last year, you
will receive through me, from time to time, separate statements
from the MC&G Working Group, each of which will have been
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developed to indicate the degree of need to the MC&G community
and the justifications for individual potential improvements,
s= . those
some of which may relate to/mentioned in reference b. It is
assumed that there will be a continuation of exchange of views
between the MC&G Working Group and the NRO for the purpose of
identifying potential improvements and their feasibilityf-9,
3. It is requested that, subsequent to NRO study
of these statements, the COMIREX be provided with NRO's
findings with respect to the general feasibility in relation to timing,
potential costs, and possible impact on primary intelligence
missions of improvements discussed in these MC&G Working Group
statements.
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4. The COMIREX will then report to you its views on
the advisability of pursuing the research and development required
to meet the MC&G requirements in each case.
5. It is anticipated that future long-range guidance for
NRO fiscal planning in the MC&G field will form an integral part
or an appendix to the overall guidance that will be submitted next
year by the COMIREX to the NRO through the USIB. The MC&G
guidance will include such revision of MC&G collection requirements
as may be needed, with statements of the degree and nature of need in~cr
meeting these requirements, along with related factual data; and MC&G
:requirements for development of technical improvements considered
necessary to meet its needs.
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