WASHINGTON. D.C.

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OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

(8) NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE

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26 July 1974 /../1

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

SUBJECT: National Photo Plan

In a discussion with Bill Colby this morning, I was

asked to proceed with certain elements that would be part

of a National Photo Plan. These elements are ones that are

appropriate to the NRO mission; namely, the design, operation,

and planning for the future acquisition systems to meet the

intelligence requirements of the country.

In the discussion, it was very clear that Bill Colby

has a fine appreciation for the need to provide the national

intelligence data to all users - strategic, tactical, operational, etc. He observed that there are a great Dumber of

people who are interested in photo imagery as a source of

needed intelligence. He recognized the capability of operational theater commanders, such as CINCPAC, in analyzing

the total intelligence problem• in the area of their responsibility. By specific example, he pointed out that it is

not necessary that a Pacific area intelligence problem be

resolved in NPIC - it could just as well be resolved in the

theater command with proper data exchange to Washington. He

observed that, in this example, NPIC may still want to work

a specific problem and, therefore, he's not saying that we

should do away with an NPIC type of organization. This discussion led to his basic observation that we must also consider the photo interpretation analysis and associate all of

the associated intelligence functions in the overall National

Photo Plan.

I volunteered that the NRO, with its basic responsibility,

would be a good organization for the generation of at least a

major portion of the plan. Two specific areas that he agreed

were worth NRO study were:
-11P-SMET--

Definition of the requirements problem for photo

systems for all areas, such as NRT, Search, TI spotting,

Mapping, etc. The plan would detail specific studies which

should be conducted to arrive at plans for the future. Examples: What are the search requirements? What revisit time

is required? Is stereo required? Color? Special film filter

for economic problems, such as grain estimates?

Planning for acquisition systems of the future with

a full provision for advanced technology. New ways of doing

business, such as shuttle, and provision for entirely new

canoe ts which may be available by improved technology, such

a

To respond to this problem, I propose that we prepare

a detailed outline of the aforementioned two sections of the

National Photo Plan. The outline should identify projects

that need to be done, specific organizations in the NRO, or,

more importantly, organizations in the intelligence community -

tactical and strategic outside of the NRO that are required to

resolve issues. Care must be exercised that designated projects

are in bite-size pieces. We must avoid broad charters, and

ill-defined study tasks assigned to ad hoc committees by reason of our own inability to circumscribe the problem.

cc: Gen Kulpa, SAF/SS

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