COMIREX REVIEW OF GUIDANCE FOR NRP PLANNING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B01709A002300050006-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 25, 2004
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: August 7, 1969
• Content Type: MF

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USIB-D-46. 4/ 31
(COMIREX-D- 13.16/6)
7 August 1969
Limited Distribution
SUBJECT : COMIREX Review of Guidance for NRP Planning
REFERENCE : USIB-D-46. 4/12, 1 March 1968, Limited
Distribution (Approved and recorded in
USIB-M-500, Secretary's Note #1,
14 March 1968)
1. The attached memorandum from the Chairman, Committee on
Imagery Requirements and Exploitation (COMIREX), submitting comments
on requirements for the collection of reconnaissance imagery "that should
be considered in the next NRP budget and in the five-year plan", is in
response to the directive from the Chairman, United States Intelligence
Board (USIB) as circulated in Tab C of the reference. COMIREX advises
that submission of this report has been delayed to accommodate a recent
NRO request for interim guidance on the need for very high resolution
imagery.
2. The subject report:
a. Reaffirms the general USIB guidance submitted
in February 1969 for NRO FY 70 planning and notes its
applicability to longer term planning;
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NRO r pW( For R
completed.
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USIB-D-46. 4/ 31
(COMIREX-D-13. 16/6)
7 August 1969
Limited Distribution
In connection with point c. COMIREX considers that NRO should continue the
development of technologies that could provide a satellite system in which
is realizable, but recognizes that final decisions on a
s stem will depend not onl on judgments as to the value
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requirements for use in the longer term evaluation and will work with the
NRO in examining the various options, their responsiveness to intelligence
objectives, and the question of timing and cost.
COMIREX is undertaking a comprehensive study of
soon the capability should be developed and, overall,
problem is required by NRO prior to the EXCOM meeting of 15 August.
portion of the report involving interim guidance on the
3. It is not planned to schedule this item on a USIB agenda unless 25X1
requested to do so by a member by noon 13 August 1969.1 has 25X1
advised the USIB Secretariat that this short deadline is required because the
4. In the absence of such a request, it will be recorded as of that
date that USIB noted the attached COMIREX comments and referred them to
the National Reconnaissance Office for information and guidance.
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Acting Executive Secretary
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USIB-D-46.4/31 25X1
(COMIREX-D-13. 16/6)
7 August 1969
Limited Distribution
MEMORANDUM FOR: United States Intelligence Board
SUBJECT: COMIREX Review of Guidance for NRP Planning
REFERENCES: a. USIB-D-46.4/27 (COMIREX-D-13. 16/3)
4 February 1969
b. USIB-D-46. 4/12, 1 March 1968
d. USIB-D-46.4/13 (COMIREX-D-14.4/1)
27 March 1968
e. USIB-D-41. 14/294 (COMOR-D-13/63)
21 June 1966
f. COMIREX-D-13, 16/5, 11 June 1969
1. In February 1969 COMIREX submitted to USIB its review
of requirements for the fiscal year 1970 (reference a) as the first part of
the annual review of guidance for the National Reconnaissance Program
(NRP) requested by the USIB (reference b). The purpose of the present
memorandum is to assist NRO in its review of FY 71 budget proposals
and its longer range planning for the next five years. COMIREX has
been working with the NRO to develop common data for use in the present
review and has completed a further survey of requirements previously
submitted to the Board. These are summarized as follows:
a. The February 1969 review of requirements
submitted by COMIREX to the Board (reference a) continues
to be an up-to-date and valid summary which is recommended
for NRO use as guidance for FY 71 and as the basis for longer
range planning. The NRO should additionally take into account
the requirement/
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b. As explained in paragraph 2 below, COMIREX
anticipates that some changes will be made in the form of
the search requirement which will allow more efficient
utilization of the remaining CORONA vehicles.
providing the NRO a detailed statement of mini
as presented to the Board in Marc-h--19-78-
(reference d) remains a viable document in terms of
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USIB-D-46. 4/31 25X1
(COMIREX-D-13. 16/6)
7 August 1969
Limited Distribution
c. The requirements ford
requirements
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2. As noted above, there may be some modification of the
search requirement in the near future. NRO has developed new software
for the KH-4B and in the light of this increased capability it has requested
that COMIREX consider modifying the form of the search requirements
to take advantage of this software (reference f). COMIREX has not et
acted on the NRO re nest
3. A deterrent to comprehensive analysis of search require-
ments in relation to NRO capabilities is the tenuous nature of the present
launch schedule. A possible stretch-out of the KH-4B program could
under some circumstances result in. an underfulfillment of the KH-4
requirement as presently defined. COMIREX notes further that the
KH-4B program has very little flexibility and believes that, if drastic
rescheduling or operational practices are required to meet an emergency,
the present search requirement could be jeopardized.
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USIB-D-46.4/31
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4. In accordance with COMIREX understanding of the need to
support the mapping, charting and geodetic community in obtaining data,
there will be no need to assign any KH-4 mission uniquely for coverage
of MC&G requirements. The normal MC&G area coverage requirements
as well as those for city plans and other spot locations can be taken care
of, except for previously defined bad weather areas, by allocation
o f a portion of the film I land programming
engineering coverage over mapping requirements,
covert aircraft all-weather systems are being studied with respect to
the requirement for mapping and charting data in the bad-weather areas.
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USIB-D-46. 4/31
(COMIREX-D-13. 16/6)
7 August 1969
Limited Distribution
8. COMIREX concludes that the review of requirements
for FY 70 (referenc-e a) remains appropriate as general guidance. As
noted in paragraphs 2 and 3 the search requirement may still need some
further adjustments.
As shown in paragraphs 6 and 7 above,
NRthas requested requirements guidance from COMIREX on the question
of hotography. Interim guidance has been provided,
in accordance with paragraph 6, and further interaction with NRO is
planned.
9. Recommendation. It is recommended that the Board
note this paper while approving its transmittal to NRO for guidance.
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Chairman
Committee on Imagery Requirements and Exploitation
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