RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT APPROVAL REQUEST FOR PROCUREMENT OF A HTA/6 PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM PROCESSOR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A002000040007-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 18, 2000
• Sequence Number: 7
• Content Type: MF

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NPIC/D-8o-64
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
VIA . Assistant Deputy Director (Intelligence)
for Management
. Executive Director - Comptroller
SUBJECT : Research and Development Project Approval
Request for Procurement of a HTA/6 Photo-
graphic Film Processor
REFERENCE . DDCI Memorandum ER 63-88121, dated 23 December
1963: Approval of Research and Development
Activities
1. In compliance with paragraph 4.b. of the reference, it is
requested that the procurement of a HTA/6 Photographic Film Processor -
as outlined in Annex "A" be approved in
2. Although this project was programmed originally for FY 1964, it
was deferred recently because of lack of funds until 1965. It is being
forwarded for approval at this time to permit handling with a minimum
of delay after 1 July or, alternatively and preferably, obligation
against current year funds should unforeseen surpluses develop before
30 June and be made available for NPIC R&D activities.
ARTHUR C. LUNDAHL
Director
National Photographic Interpretation Center
Paul A. Borel
Assistant Deputy Director (Intelligence)
for Management
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SUBJECT: Research and Development Project Approval Request for
Procurement of a HTA/6 Photographic Film Processor
Marshall S. Carter
Lieutenant General, USA
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
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Research and Development
Project Approval Request
I. Identification
This program covers the development of a continuous 70mm- to 92-inch-
wide film processor of small size and medium output capacity to be used for
processing duplicate positive reproductions.. The processor will embody the
liquid-air bearing concept in which all physical contact with the emulsion
or base surfaces during the processing cycle is avoided. The system promises
to provide several significant advances in the technology of photographic
film processing. The internal designation for the project is "The HTA/6
Processor."
The processor would be included in the Technical Development Program
of the Plans and Development Staff, NPIC, at a total estimated cost of
The item was included in the NPIC financial plan for Fiscal Year
1964 at the -level under the category "Reproduction and Processing
Equipment." The additional funds are available within the approved budget.
II. Objectives
This program is directed towards the development of a continuous roll-
film processor designed specifically for processing of 70mm- to 92-inch-wide
duplicate-print film transparencies.
The objective of the program is to achieve advances in the state-of-
the-art of film processing, which will be directed towards producing duplicate
prints of the highest possible quality for use by the photo interpreter in
analysis and mensuration. Further objectives are to eliminate image dis-
tortion and physical damage common to roller transport processing systems by
the introduction of liquid-air bearing transport. Another objective of great
importance is the drastic reduction of maintenance and downtime required by
roller systems. This would be accomplished by the total elimination of racks,
rollers, bearings and other moving parts that normally and periodically re-
quire major maintenance and overhaul.
III. Background
The HTA/6 wide film processor covered herein is intended to be an
improved liquid-air bearing processor which would succeed the HTA/5 processor.
The HTA/5 machine was designed to accommodate all widths of roll film
from 70mm to 92-inches, and it employs a new concept of film transport in
which the exposed film passes through the various chemical solutions and
through the dryer over non-rotating liquid and air bearings (in lieu of
revolving rollers). This system permits the film to be transported through
the entire processing cycle without touching the emulsion or base side of
the film.
CONFIDENTIAL
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GROUP I
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Research and Development
Project Approval Request
I. Identification
This program covers the development of a continuous 70mm- to 92-inch-
wide film processor of small size and medium output capacity to be used for
processing duplicate positive reproductions. The processor will embody the
liquid-air bearing concept in which all physical contact with the emulsion
or base surfaces during the processing cycle is avoided. The system promises
to provide several significant advances in the technology of photographic
film processing. The internal designation for the project is "The HTA/6
Processor."
25X1A The processor would be included in the Technical Development Program
of the Plans and Development Staff, NPIC, at a total estimated cost of
The item was included in the NPIC financial plan for Fiscal Year
1964 at the - level under the category "Reproduction and Processing
Equipment." The additional funds are available within the approved budget.
II. Objectives
This program is directed towards the development of a continuous roll-
film processor designed specifically for processing of 70mm- to 92-inch-wide
duplicate-print film transparencies.
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The objective of the program is to achieve advances in the state-of-
the-art of film processing, which will be directed towards producing duplicate
prints of the highest possible quality for use by the photo interpreter in
analysis and mensuration. Further objectives are to eliminate image dis-
tortion and physical damage common to roller transport processing systems by
the introduction of liquid-air bearing transport. Another objective of great
importance is the drastic reduction of maintenance and downtime required by
roller systems. This would be accomplished by the total elimination of racks,
rollers, bearings and other moving parts that normally and periodically re-
quire major maintenance and overhaul.
III. Background
The HTA/6 wide film processor covered herein is intended to be an
improved liquid-air bearing processor which would succeed the HTA/5 processor.
The HTA/5 machine was designed to accommodate all widths of roll film
from 70mm to 92-inches, and it employs a new concept of film transport in
which the exposed film passes through the various chemical solutions and
through the dryer over non-rotating liquid and air bearings (in lieu of
revolving rollers). This system permits the film to be transported through
the entire processing cycle without touching the emulsion or base side of
the film.
CROUP 1
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The HTA/6 processor will conform generally to the same basic parameters
set forth for the HTA/5 but modified to reflect information gained during its
development and subsequent test at March Air Force Base. The HTA/6 processor
will be designed and engineered with the full advantage of knowledge gained
from results of that development and test program.
Significant advances in the technology have been made possible by the
liquid and air bearing concept. For example: eliminating contact with film
surfaces during the processing cycle will prevent possible damage to the
emulsion and/or base. Also, the very small amount of torque required to
drive the film will assure maximum stability of the film base and emulsion.
This will virtually eliminate lineal or other image distortion common to
present standard equipment and will enhance the validity of target measure-
ments. Complexity of machine components will be greatly reduced since, in
the proposed processor, many rollers, bearings, racks and other operating
? parts are not necessary. Maintenance will be significantly reduced as a re-
sult of fewer moving parts. In addition, development will be accelerated by
increased solution agitation inherent in the system.
In this new HTA/6 development, major emphasis will be applied to re-.
ducing the power and plumbing requirements, and overall size of the unit;
to increasing the operating reliability; and to improving the loading
mechanism and method of splicing.
Technical Specifications
The specifications are directed towards producing a small, medium-speed,
wide-film processor of modular construction employing liquid-air bearing
transport with no moving parts in the wet section of the processor and requiring
the minimum of maintenance. The processor will be designed for producing
duplicate transparencies of maximum possible quality without damage to the film
emulsion or base and with the lowest possible minimum of image distortion from
40 driving torque applied to the film during its transport.
V. Contractor and Financial Arrangements
The contract will be placed with on
the basis of their proposal at an estimated cost of
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Company capabilities, ideas and interest in such a program were in-
vestigated through discussion and visits to other manufacturers of specialized
film processors. Among the other companies considered for this development
program were:
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was selected because they originated
the liquid-air bearing concept. Further, that company has exhibited progres-
sive originality in new processing techniques and concepts and has developed
a strong engineering capability in the production of liquid-air bearing pro-
cessors.
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VI. Coordination
Information concerning the proposed program has been disseminated within
the Agency and to other components of the community through the NPIC Techni-
cal Development Committee and the Semi-annual NPIC Joint Procurement Meeting
held 28 February 1964.
The Procurement Division, Office of Logistics, has been informed of
this program and is expecting to undertake contract negotiation during the
month of May.
VII. Security
? The program is to be negotiated on an SC-1 Confidential basis. Both
association with the sponsor and the equipment itself are to be classified.
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