National Reconnaissance Office

  • Betty J. Sapp, Director ( Dnro )
  • Frank Calvelli Principal Deputy Director ( PDDNRO )
  • Major General Susan K. Mashiko, USAF, Deputy Director ( DDNRO )

The National Reconnaissance Office ( NGOs; German national reconnaissance office ) is a 1960/61, established military intelligence service of the United States, which is responsible for military satellite program.

Order and organization

The information obtained by satellite reconnaissance serve different purposes, such as the international arms control and nuclear monitoring, early warning of military events, the fight against terrorism, but also preparing its own operations.

The staff of the NGOs is provided in large part by the military and the CIA. The cost of this news service contribute CIA and Department of Defense. Formally, under the NRO is a director who is, however, the Director of the CIA to give instructions attached.

History

The NGO was until the early 1990s, a so -called "black " organization. This means that it does not officially exist and their budget was hidden within the defense budget among other titles. In fact, it was part of the Air Intelligence Agency, as Victor Marchetti and John D. Marks revealed in her book the CIA in 1974. Within the AIA 2.7 billion budget, the National Reconnaissance Office made ​​1.5 billion dollars, which led the satellite program for the entire U.S. intelligence community and led the largest share. Longtime head of the NGO was the Air Force Colonel and later Brigadier General Ralph Steakly. Meanwhile, the NGO is separated from the AIA and becomes independent.

The staff strength of NGOs is estimated at approximately 3,000 employees and is subject to confidentiality.

In the course of the publications by Edward Snowden, a financial requirement of $ 10.3 billion for the year 2013 was announced.

Satellites of NGOs

The satellites of the NGOs ( reconnaissance satellites ) will be provided only with the designation NROL ( National Reconnaissance Office Launch ) and a starting number. For more information about the satellites there is not usually.

  • Keyhole -series of optical satellite: KH -1, KH -2, KH -3, KH -4, KH -4A, KH -4B Corona ( 1959-1972 )
  • KH -5 Argon ( 1961-1962 )
  • KH -6 Lanyard ( 1963)
  • KH -7 Gambit ( 1963-1967 )
  • KH -8 Gambit ( 1966-1984 )
  • KH -9 Hexagon and Big Bird ( 1971-1986 )
  • KH -10 - Dorian ( abandoned)
  • KH -11 Kennan and Crystal ( 1976-1988 )
  • KH -12 Ikon and Improved Crystal (1990 -? )
  • KH -13 Misty (1999 -? )

Budget of U.S. intelligence in 2013

According to a Washington Post report, the budget of all U.S. intelligence services together is currently 52.6 billion U.S. dollars. Subsequently, the five largest agencies are listed, their respective budgets, the Post has divided maintenance, data collection, data processing and utilization, and data analysis in the four categories.

Figures in billions of U.S. dollars

Comparable organizations in Germany

  • Strategic Reconnaissance Command, the largest command of the Armed Forces and is responsible for all the activities of strategic intelligence gathering, particularly the satellite reconnaissance by means of SAR-Lupe
Chantilly (Virginia) Central Intelligence Agency Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency Corona (satellite) Poppy (satellite) United States Naval Research Laboratory Galactic Radiation and Background Lacrosse (satellite) Repeater Imagery intelligence Defense Intelligence Agency Bureau of Intelligence and Research Office of Intelligence and Analysis (Treasury Department) Office of Naval Intelligence Marine Corps Intelligence Activity Integrated Authority File
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