* * =. United States Air Force FOREIGN TECHNOLOGY DIVISION AIR FORCE SYSTEMS COMMAND, WRIGHT- PATTERSON AFB, OH 45433 (513) 257-2917 FOREIGN TECHNOLOGY DIVISION The Foreign Technology Division (FTD) of the Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is responsible for producing scientific and technical (S&T) studies on the current aerospace capabilities and poten- tial threats of major adversary powers. This information supports AFSC research and development (R&D) efforts to develop militarily superior aero- Space weapon systems, provides the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, HQ USAF, S&T information for inclusion in national intelligence estimates and satisfies the technical intelligence needs of Air Force operational commands. . . FTD develops S&T intelligence by analyzing al] available data on foreign aerospace weapon systems to determine their performance, characteristics, capabilities and vulnerabilities. The Division also evaluates surprise to the United States. Analysis responsibilities cover the full range of aerospace systems but primarily involve aircraft, ballistic missiles, space systems, radars, lasers, electronic countermeasures, communications, air defense systems, industrial resources and new technological advances with potential military applications. HISTORY FTD traces its beginning to the Technical Data Laboratory formed in 1942 at Wright-Patterson AFB with a small technical intelligence element of 25 people. Its primary mission was to evaluate captured foreign documents, air- craft and associated equipment. Since 1942, FTD has greatly expanded its mission and resources to meet the challenge of worldwide technological developments and the accompanying national need for aerospace technical intelligence. Currently, FTD is comprised of approximately 1,600 people occupying a facility totaling about 460,000 square feet of office and laboratory space. o THE INTELLIGENCE NEED Today, foreign S&T intelligence assessments are an important factor in shaping national security and defense policy. A key input is FTD's techno- logical threat projections which assist various national defense agencies in planning, developing and producing aerospace systems to ensure US air superi- ority. - more -
The combat survivability of advanced weapon systems and development of aerospace support equipment are greatly dependent on the accuracy of FTD's assessments of the current and projected foreign threat. With these analyses, AFSC engineers can design systems and equipment to counter and neutralize enemy capabilities. A close interface is maintained between FID and ail other AFSC R&D divisions and laboratories. FTD also provides S&T information on advanced foreign technological developments for evaluation by AFSC design engineers to enable them to assess and, where applicable, apply any unique scientific data to R&D projects. COOPERATION AND LIAISON As the primary producer of foreign aerospace scientific and technical intelligence, FTD maintains close liaison, coordination and cooperation with all members of the US intelligence community, USAF operational commands and DOD R&D organizations. Additionally, it manages the centralized DOD automated S&T intelligence information data base for al] other DOD intelligence pro- duction agencies. FACILITIES The completion of the Foreign Technology Division's current facility in 1976 culminated many years of planning and effort to consolidate all of the organizations's resources and activities which were previously located in nine other buildings. Coupled with the modernization of FTD's specialized labora- tory and computer facilities, this building provides the appropriate environ- ment in which the Foreign Technology Division can satisfy the constantly growing need for foreign S&T aerospace intelligence. - End -