TACTICAL/NATIONAL SIGINT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01133A000500050007-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 9, 2005
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: January 8, 1975
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2005/11/23 : CIA-RDP80M0l133A000500050007-2
8 January 1975
SUBJECT: Tactical/National SIGINT Research and
Development
1. During calendar year 1974 Intelligence Research and
Development Council sessions, Council members expressed con-
tinuing concern on the apparent disconnect between national and
tactical SIGINT research and development efforts. Strong reference
to their concern is documented in the Council's 22 July report to
the DCI. The NSA briefing in September which, at
request, reviewed all tactical SIGINT R&D (whether within the national
program as. currently defined, or without) evoked further concern
among Council members, particularly with respect to the plethora
of tactical SIGINT R&D efforts among the Services. A member
remarked, for example, that "one certainly gains the impression
that there are a lot of electronic systems flying around not talking
to each other. " The minutes of the 17 October 1974 Council meeting
(IRAC-IR&DC-M-011) dated 6 November 1974 contain further detail,
and, in fact, provide a fairly accurate portrayal and inventory of the
various SIGIND tactical systems under development. Readily identifiable
in these minutes is the relationship to the much discussed "direct sup-
port" catch word that is in vogue at present.
2. the Council Chairman, requested Norman
Augustine, the Assistant Secretary of the Army (R&D), to develop
terms of reference as well as select and form a task force under
Council auspices to review this problem area. The attached minutes
and terms of reference signify the "kick off" of this effort.
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/11/23_: CIA-RDP80M01I3$A000500050007-2
 ;~'Yaa
Approved For Release 2005/11/23 : CIA-RDP80M0l133A000500050007-2
3. The Council, as well acknowledged, has already directed
or, more aptly, influenced redirection of intelligence R&D efforts.
This recent action, however, could prove to be one of its most sig-
nificant accomplishments in terms of future impact on intelligence
structure, management, and allocation of resources.
forward on two fronts. They are:
4. This problem is not new. Previous high-level concern
in this problem area was a main thrust of the November 1971 Presi-
dential Directive. The Council action closes a gap which existed
previously in that actions by the DCI can now be considered to be moving
a. The National Tactical Interface Study:
This",'addresses the "now"-problem, -i.e. how best
to _use"the :resources we now have.
b.._._ The Augustine Task Force: This addresses
the future, i. e. , what is the proper mix, is there
conceptual duplication, and will envisioned systems
be interoperable in crisis and wartime scenarios.
5. Finally, the cultural and parochial barriers that have pre-
cluded even inter-organization discussions on tactical SIGINT R&D in
the past appear to have been bridged. Please note that what is in
actuality tactical SIGINT R&D is called "Electromagnetic Intercept
and Position Fixing for Military Operations. "
Executive Secretary
Intelligence Research and
Development Council
=The two initiatives cited above are not mutually exclusive; hence, at
some as yet undetermined point in time, they will need to be tied together.
Approved For Release 2005/11/23 : GIA-RDP80M01133A000500050007-2
ECE T
25X1
 25X1 Approved For Release 2005/11/23 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000500050007-2
Next 10 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Approved For Release 2005/11/23 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000500050007-2