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NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE

WASHINGTON. D.C.

TN NRO STAFF November 21, 1971

MEMORANDUM FOR COLONEL BRADBURN

SUBJECT: An NSCID For the NRP

The President's letter of November 5, 1971, on

Organization and Management of the U. S. Foreign Intelligence

Community directed that the Staffs of the NSC, DCI and OMB,

in consultation with the PFIAB, make appropriate revision to

NSCIDS and other directives. Historically the NRO has been

able to function without an NSCID but with the strong support

of various individuals and organizations; at present there is

no Directive being prepared under the auspices of the NSC for

this purpose. There are several reasons why such a document

is needed.

The NRO has thus far been generally successful in

resolving jurisdictional disputes by pointing to the August 11,

1965 charter, claiming that since it is more recent (than

various NSCIDS) it represents the later thinking of the

signatories. With a general revision of all the NSCIDs, however,

that argument loses--unless there is a similar document for the

NRP.

The change in the overall organization of the intelligence

community outdates the charter in part. If retained, the NRP

charter should differentiate between' the DCI in his "new" role,

and the operating head of the CIA. And the DNRO should sit as

a voting member on the Intelligence Resources Advisory Committee

on matters affecting the NRP, just as on the USIB.

The definition of responsibilities of the NRP for overflight reconnaissance could also stand some close scrutiny,

and needs revision.

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Should the NRP have a greater chartered role in satisfaction of tactical collection requirements? The tone of the

President's letter--and the specific references to tactical

intelligence--would make this idea worthy of further consideration. The statement that "Future assignments of roles and

missions within the intelligence community cannot be made

satisfactorily by compromises among agencies" seems to dictate,

more strongly:than ever, thlt the NRP be covered by an NSCID,

to present its mission and charter side-by-side with all other.

intelligence gathering entities.

At the same time we need to look at the other elements

of the framework created around the NRP over the years.

Contained in various documents from DOD Directives to letters

and even informal agreements, they should be scrutinized for

possible incorporation in an NSCID, revised Directives, or

deletion.

The creation of an NSCID for the NRP could obviate the

need for a separate charter. Toward that end, attached is

a revised draft of an NSCID to serve as a point of discussion.

Since the target date for revision of NSCIDs is December 1,

our intentions should be made known soon if such a Directive

is desired.

I understand that the OASD(I) will permit us to look at

the revised draft NSCID package after Dr. Hall has talked to

OMB, about Monday or Tuesday (November 22 or 23).

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Not to be Distributed NSCID No.

Outside the U.S. Draft Nov 21, 1971

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL INTELLIGENCE

DIRECTIVE NO.

NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM

The National Reconnaiisance Program of the United States

is a national responsibility, and must be so organized and

managed as to aggressively and imaginatively exploit to the

maximum technology, operational resources, and facilities of

the Government to satisfy the intelligence requirements of

the National Security Council and of the several departments

and agencies of the Government.

Therefore, in the interest of national security and

pursuant to the National Security Act of 1947, as amended,

the National Security Council authorizes and directs that

the National Reconnaissance Program of the United States be

conducted as prescribed herein.

1. Definition 

The National Reconnaissance Program is a single,

covert, national program, covering the development, management, control, tacking and operation of all projects, whether

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current or planned, for collecting intelligence, mapping and

geodetic information by.spacecraft; or through aircraft or

drone overflight of denied territory. Included are all

platforms and image-forming sensors of reconnaissance quality

non image forming sensors designed for. reconnaissance purposes,

or signal and electronic intelligence devices. Excluded are

normal non-satellite peripheral reconnaissance operations.

2. Over-All Management 

The Secretary of Defense is designated as the '

Executive Agent of the Government for the National Reconnaissance

Program with the ultimate responsibility and authority for the

management and conduct of the Program.

The National Reconnaissance Program Executive Committee,

consisting of the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Director of •

Central Intelligence, and the Special Assistant to the President

for Science and Technology will guide and participate in the

formulation of the National Reconnaissance Program and approve

or modify the Program and its budget.

The National Reconnaissance Office, established as

a separate and independent operating agency of the Department

of Defense, is responsible for implementing the National

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Reconnaissance Program. The Director of the National

Reconnaissance Office will sit with the USIB and the

Intelligence Resources Advisory Committee on matters affecting the Program. He shall be responsible only to the

Secretary of Defense for conduct of the program.

3. Responsibilities 

The Secretary of Defense shall:

Develop a single National Reconnaissance

Program.

Direct and coordinate the activities of

all Government agencies participating in the National

Reconnaissance Program.

Prepare the budget for the entire National

Reconnaissance Program and shall defend the program before

all reviews necessary to secure its approval.

Manage and administer all funds for the

National Reconnaissance Program.

e. Recognize the responsibilities of the

Director of Central Intelligence for the coordination of *the

foreign intelligehce activities of the United States pursuant

to the provisions of NSCID No.

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Respond solely to the intelligence objectives,

requirements and priorities established by the United States

Intelligence Board pursuant to the provisions of NSCID No.

Obtain appropriate clearances from higher

authority foi all National -Reconnaissance Program satellite

missions, and for all aircraft or drone denied territory

overflight missions (regardless of agency conducting the

mission).

Process, title, produce and deliver the

collected product to the users as specified by the United

States Intelligence Board.

Establish, maintain and operate a National

Reconnaissance Office as a separate, covert operating agency

of the Department of Defense.

Appoint the Director of the National

Reconnaissance Office who will report to him and be responsive

to his instructions.

Establish appropriate boards or committees

for the monitorship and periodic review of the activities of

the National Reconnaissance Office.

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1. Enter into such agreements with other

departments or agencies as required in the implementation

of this directive.

Recognize the responsibility of the Director

of CenEral Intelligence fof the development of policies and

procedures for the protection of intelligence and of intelligence methods from unauthorized disclosure.

Establish within the Department of Defense

separate units to conduct assigned portions of the NatiOnal

Reconnaissance Program, under direct control of the Director

of the National Reconnaissance Office.

o. Task the personnel, facilities and other

resources of the Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence

Agency, and other agencies as required to support the conduct

of the National Reconnaissance Program.

The Director of Central Intelligence shall:

Appoint the Deputy Director of the National

Reconnaissance Office, with the concurrence of the Secretary

of Defense.

'Provide security policy guidance and support

to the Director, National Reconnaissance Office in the

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protection of sensitive National Reconnaissance Program

activities.

The Director, Central Intelligence Agency shall:

Establish, in coordination with the Director

Natio:Cal:Reconnaissance Office, separately identifiable units

within the Central Intelligence Agency responsible for the

conduct oethose assigned portions of the National Reconnaissance Program. These units will function under the direct

control of the Director, National Reconnaissance Office.

•

In the fulfillment of their respective responsibilities

for the production of intelligence, the several departments

and agencies shall not duplicate the intelligence collection

and research activities of the National Reconnaissance Office

and shall make full use of existing capabilities of this

element of the intelligence community.

To insure that all efforts involving satelliteborne reconnaissance-like sensors are dealt with in a manner

which will protect the interests of the United States Government

including the National Reconnaissance Program, all departments

and agencies muste deal with the National Reconnaissance Office

on all such activities. Activities are defined to include

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feasibility studies, potential application studies, developments, tests, uses, plans for symposia and conferences, and

papers and presentations on this subject area.

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