THE NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM EXCOM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 23
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 23, 2004
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 18, 1975
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Rel
CIA-RDP80 M 01133A000300130001-1
25X1A
?
NSA and NRO review(s) completed.
18 April 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: The Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: The National Reconnaissance Program ExCom
1. The ExCom meeting, as set forth in the attached agenda
(Tab 1), is presently scheduled for 1500 hours on 23 April 1975. The
agenda has been constrained to approximately a two-hour session.
2. The meeting is, in essence, informative in nature. No
decisions are requested from the ExCom. Nevertheless, this meeting
does provide the opportunity for you and Dr. Hall to concur with or
redirect present key study efforts presently underway, establish the
framework for additional studies, and provide guidance to the DNRO
as to which issues you may perceive as requiring further clarification
prior to the July ExCom.
3. Introductory remarks for you, as well as brief background
papers on both the DNRO and DIRNSA reports to the ExCom, are attached.
We plan to meet with you on Monday, 21 April, at 1800 hours to discuss
the reports, answer any questions you may have, and ascertain if there
are any further actions desired by you prior to the ExCom meeting on
Wednesday.
Samuel V. Wi son
Lieutenant General, USA
D/DCI/IC
Attachments:
25X1A Tab 1 - Agenda for April ExCom
Tab 2 - Introductory Remarks
Tab 3 - DNRO Report Highlights
Tab 4 - DIRNSA Report Comments
Tab 5 - The DNRO Report
Tab 6 - The DIRNSA Report
Approved For Re
Copy A of 10
01 p IA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
25X1A
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
Distribution:
Copy 1 -.Addressee (w/atts 1 through 6)
Copy 2 - DDCI (w/atts 1 through 4)
Copy 3 - Exec Reg (w/atts 1 through 4)
Copy 4 - D/DCI/IC (w/atts 1 through 4)
Copy 5 - AD/DCI/IC (w/atts I through 4)
Copy 6 - DD/S&T (w/atts 1 through 4)
Copy 7 - PD/Plans (w/atts 1 through 4)
Copy 8 - C/MPRRD (w/atts 1 through 4)
Copy 9 - AC/CPAD (w/atts 1 through 4)
Copy 10- IC Registry (w/atts 1 through 4)
25X1A PD/IC (18 April 1975)
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M0l133A000300130001-1
Agenda Tab 1
Introductory Remarks Tab 2
DNRO Report Highlights Tab 3
DIRNSA Report Comments Tab 4
The DNRO Report Tab 5
The DIRNSA Report Tab 6
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M0l133A000300130001-1
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
?
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
 Approved For Release 21W04D U-RDP80M01I33A000300130~
NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM
Washington, D.C.
'14 April 1975
NRP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MEETING
Director of Central Intelligence Conference Room
Room 7D-62, CIA Headquarters
Wednesday, 23 April 1975
3:00 p.m.
-Agenda
1. Introductory Remarks Mr. Colby
2. NRP Overview/Status. Mr. Plummer
3. Baseline Program Summary Mr. Hill
?
4. FY-75 Guidance Highlights Mr. Hill
5. Special Items
a. COMINT New Initiatives ' Lt General.Allen
25X1
Brig General Kulpa
- MC&G
25X1
25X1
Search Performance
Resolution
CONTROL. NO
GENERAL E[LA~^iFi E%En~ E FF
N~Lproved For ?rFCIA-RDP80M011 0 mq
25X1 TOP SECRET
CLAWFiFO
 Approved For Release 2O9?/O F lA-RDP80MOl133A000300130 O1-1
25X1
6. ExCom Discussion Meeting Participants
7. Executive Session
Mr. Colby/Dr. Hall/Mr. Plummer
25X1
Secretary
NRP Executive Committee
25X1
25X1
NRO TOP~CRET CONTROL N
CE 0.55,F~FO BV 1 F%EM TFXpM copyo cOFiES 01
GENERAL JS "ZQ1 c=a~CIA-RDP8OM0113 k00(3OQa300~01P4GES
Approved For ~
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
?
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
 Approved For Release /Q t*M 4\-RDP80M01I33A000300130001-1
DCI INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
APRIL 1975 EXCOM
WELCOME. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, JIM, THE SESSION TODAY
IS INFORMATIVE IN NATURE--A SORT OF "HOWGOZIT"--WITH
RESPECT TO FUNDING, OPERATIONAL STATUS OF PROGRAMS,
AND THE PROGRESS OF SEVERAL MAJOR STUDY EFFORTS UNDERWAY
WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.'
I AM PLEASED THAT A SESSION AT THIS TIME OF YEAR HAS,
.N A SENSE, BEEN INSTITUTIONALIZED (I. E. , THIS IS THE SECOND
APRIL EXCOM). THIS GIVES ME AN ESTABLISHED PROCEDURE WHICH
3ROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THE NRP AT THE SAME
'IME THAT THE SEVERAL OTHER INTELLIGENCE PROGRAMS ARE
EING REVIEWED IN OTHER FORUMS, AND ALSO AT THE TIME WHEN
USUALLY AM DEFENDING THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY'S TOTAL
25X1
Approved For Fel1 ~y f2:CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
 Approved For ReleaT2 n 4 2:CIA-RDP80MO1133A000300130001-1
pV e L
PROGRAM AND BUDGET BEFORE THE VARIOUS CONGRESSIONAL
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES. I ALSO VIEW THIS SESSION AS A
FORUM WHEREIN MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY MAY EXPRESS
THEIR VIEWS, CONCERNS, INSIGHTS, OR DESIRES TO ME AND
DR. HALL ON MATTERS RELATED TO THE NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE
PROGRAM AT A FAIRLY CRITICAL PROGRAM PRE-FORMULATION
?STAGE. I ENCOURAGE FREE DISCUSSION AS WE PROCEED THROUGH
THE AGENDA TODAY.
PRIOR TO TURNING THE MEETING OVER TO YOU, JIM, I
WOULD LIKE TO TABLE A FEW ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS, AND SET
FORTH SOME GENERAL MANAGEMENT COURSES OF ACTION THAT
MUST BE PURSUED.
FIRST OF ALL, I THINK THAT THE INTELLIGENCE COM-
MUNITY HAS COME OF AGE IN THE SPACE ERA. WE HAVE PASSED
25X1
Approved Fo Ftc,Jease 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80MO1133A000300130001-1
k `:37 Gib pia",.
 Approved For Relep 2 :. CIA-RDP80M0l133A000300130001-1
25X1
THE TECHNOLOGY STAGE WHERE THE MERE ACT OF GETTING A
SATELLITE ON-ORBIT WAS, IN FACT, A SUCCESS IN ITSELF,, AND
ARE NOW IN THE POSTURE WHEREIN THE INTELLIGENCE COM-
MUNITY UNDERSTANDS AND DEPENDS HEAVILY ON THE INFORMATION
DERIVED FROM OUR SPACE RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEMS. THE
CURRENT SYSTEMS UNDER DEVELOPMENT OR UNDER STUDY ARE
FURTHER EVIDENCE OF THIS.
MAJOR DECISIONS WERE MADE LAST YEAR FOR BOTH
IMAGERY AND SIGINT SYSTEMS. THE CONTINUATION OF THE
SET THE STAGE DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR FOR KEY DECISIONS
TO BE MADE IN 1976 AND 1977. THIS LATTER ASPECT IS ONE OF
PARTICULAR CONCERN TO ME, FOR I AM KEENLY SENSITIVE TO
THE FACT THAT IT WILL BE THOSE DECISIONS THAT SET THE
25X1
PROGRAM IS A KEY DECISION FACING US IN JULY. WE ALSO
3
Oi -:TCIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
eas
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
25X1
C.
25X1
POSTURE FOR SATELLITE RECONNAISSANCE THROUGH AT LEAST
THE MID--EIGHTIES.
AS I REVIEW THE PROGRAM STRUCTURE, I FORESEE THE
FOLLOWING IMPORTANT DECISIONS CONVERGING IN THE SAME
TIME FRAME.
? DECIDING THE PROPER IMAGERY SYSTEMS MIX.
? HOW AND TO WHAT EXTENT SHOULD WE IMPROVE
COMINT COLLECTION.
? WHAT IS THE DESIRED RELATIONSHIP OF THE
SYSTEMS BOTH IN A NATIONAL AND TACTICAL SENSE.-
. WHAT IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO
25X)5X1 OUR EXISTING
LINT COLLECTION
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
P
? HOW CAN WE DISSEMINATE INFORMATION FROM
EXISTING SYSTEMS FASTER AND BETTER TO THE
TACTICAL COMMANDS,
ALL WILL COMPETE FOR A LIMITED AMOUNT OF RESOURCES.
THESE WILL BE DIFFICULT DECISIONS. I LOOK TO THE
COMMUNITY FOR CONTINUED COOPERATION IN MEETING THIS
CHALLENGE.
25X1
Approved For Rel
ase OS,Eg 1f -RDP80M01I33A000300130001-1
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
?
?
?
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
 25X1 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
Next 3 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
0
?
0
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22: CIA-RDP80M0l133A000300130001-1
lop SEC R
0
DIRNSA REPORT
At the November 1974 ExCom, you asked General Allen to
develop a list of COMINT initiatives for presentation to the April
ExCom. General Allen's submission is responsive to that request.
During the period since November, IC Staff, NRO, and NSA 25X1
personnel have reviewed some 87 ideas ranging from minor modifica-
tions to existing processing hardware to
simultaneously. General Allen has chosen to identify six major
initiatives in priority order which he feels are compatible with
other (CCP) SIGINT collection, processing, and analysis efforts.
The DIRNSA's report is technically conservative in approach.
It does not
f
,
or example, delve in depth into the technical) excitin
25X1 aspects f
?
The submission does re e c t
enera en s
persona belief that any additional resources above the current base-
line in APS and the NRP allocated to overhead SIGINT
should be first
directed to efficiency improvements to existing systems.
General Allen will brief the subject personally. Cost data for
each initiative has been prepared, on an analyzed base, by the NRO.
It will be included in his briefing.
Review by the ExCom does not signify concurrence or approval
of the submitted initiatives. The report does, however, establish the
framework for any subsequent increase in resource allocation to over-
head SIGINT and provides a basis for comparison of these suggested
increases with new initiatives in other NRP sensor areas. In this
sense, it signifies the Director NSA's counsel/advice to the ExCom.
25X1
4-19 11 2L
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M0l133A000300130001-1
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
0
9
I*
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
0
?
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
 Approved For Release 2005Iffl 2SEi2&P80M01133A000300130001 1
25X1
NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM
Washington, D.C.
14 April 1975
NRP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MEETING
Director of Central Intelligence Conference Room
Room 7D-62, CIA Headquarters
Wednesday, 23 April 1975
3:00 p.m.
Agenda
1. Introductory Remarks Mr. Colby
2. NRP Overview/Status Mr. Plummer
3. Baseline Program Summary Mr. Hill
4. FY-75 Guidance Highlights Mr. Hill
5. Special Items
a. COMINT New Initiatives
25X1
- MC&G
- Search Performance
Resolution
25X1
25X1
Approv4
25X1
25X1 CONTROL N
NRO TOP SECRET COPY / OF COPES
LASSIFIF.OSY 1 EXEMPT EROM
d For Release i1?A s:~~ P80M01133A00 Q 1000011 2 PAGES
GORY 591DECLASSIFY ON IMP GET, _
Lt General Allen
Brig General Kulpa
 Approved For Release 2005T0'/22"`CIf4ITDP80M011339300130001
6. ExCom Discussion Meeting Participants
7. Executive Session Mr. Colby/Dr. Hall/Mr. Plummer
25X1
Secretary
25X1
CLASS FEED BY E%E MVT FROM COPY I OF COr!ES
A ed For Release # o E P80M01133A000 0#132 j-2 PAGES
25X1
TOP SECRET
 EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT
Routing Slip
3AMbIac
ACTION
INFO
DATE
INITIAL
1
DCI
2
DDCI
3
S/MC
4
DDS&T
5
DDI
6
DDA
7
DDO
8
D/DCI/IC
9
D/DCI/NI
10
GC
11
LC
12
IG
13
Compt
14
D/Pers
15
D/S
16
DTR
17
Asst/DCI
18
AO/DCI
19
20
21
22
25
L1 Executive Secre )Cry
Approved For Release 2005/04/22: CIA-RDP80 0 300130
3637 (1-75) Dole'
 Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1
Approved For Release 2005/04/22 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000300130001-1