STUDY OF THE NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-553-10-1-5
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 3, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 1, 1974
• Content Type: MEMO

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THE WHITE HOUSE Control System Only
TOP SECRET
May 1, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE DIRECTOR, OFFICE.OF MANAGEMENT
AND BUDGET
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
SUBJECT: Study of the National Reconnaissance Program
?
The National Reconnaissance Program (NRP) has served the nation
well in producing intelligence vital to our national security interests.
Its utility in future years holds even.greater promise. However,
orgy -iational changes in other areas of the Government whose
functions impact on the NRP, the enormous advances achieved in
space technology, and the persistent need to ensure that our intelli-
gence is the best available, warrant that a comprehensive, contem-
porary analysis be made of this important resource.
The central role of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory
Board in the establishment of the NRP more than a decade ago and
in stimulating and influencing its subsequent progress is well known.
I have, therefore, directed the Board to conduct a thorough study of
the NRP and to report their findings to me within six months. Their
study i?s to examine the structure and organization best suited to fulfill
the purposes of the NRP now and for the future.
Your full cooperation with the Board in this endeavor is essential to
its success.
OSD review completed
cc: Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
NSC/PFIAB REVIEW
COMPLETED
TOP SECRET
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1227X
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
TOP SECRET/CODEWORD ACTION
March 29, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR: SECRETARY KISSINGER
FROM: RICHARD OBER 9
SUBJECT: PFIAB Proposal to Study National
Reconnaissance Program (NRP)
Admiral Anderson's letter (Tab B) to the President, dated
March 27, 1974, proposes that PFIAB conduct a comprehensive
study of the NRP in order to recommend to the President the
management best suited to fulfill NRP's mission in the future.
Admiral Anderson has prepared a memorandum (Tab A) for the
President's signature notifying the Secretary of Defense,
Director, OMB, and the DCI that he has directed the study
of NRP and asking their full cooperation.
Admiral Anderson is concerned that the management of the
National Reconnaissance Office is "being eroded through a,
process of gradual .l 9 regularization ' ?. PFIAB considers s it
unlikely that any single element of.the Intelligence Community
could bring to bear the "perspective and understanding nec-
essary for an objective appraisal"; PFIAB, therefore, proposes
that it conduct the study.
PFIAB would like an answer before the Board meeting (April 4-5).
BACKGROUND
There have been changes since the mid 1960's when this highly
vital covert program was set up under the supervision of
EXCOM which included the DCI, the Deputy Secretary of Defense,
and the Science Advisor. Since the departure of the Science
Advisor, EXCOM consists of the DCI and Dr. Hall (ASDI). We
understand that Mr. Colby is satisfied with the management
does not anticipate problems with Dr. Hall, and
structure
,
may not be enthusiastic about the proposed study. We believe,
however, that Defense will operate as independently as it
can, and that the DCI may need more reenforcement in the
increasingly difficult times ahead as the NRP.becomes more
visible and more expensive. It is a good time, therefore,
to take a hard look and to make sure that the management struc-
ture of NRP is the best possible to ensure the continuation
of this vital program.
TOP SECRET/CODEWORD -? GDS
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TOP SECRET/CODEWORD - 2 --
General Scowcroft has been in touch with Wheaton Byers of
PFIAB on this matter (Tab C).
It is recommended that you forward the PFIAB letter to the
President for his signature. .
Mr. Kennedy concurs.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the memorandum (Tab I) to the President recom-
mending that the President sign the memorandum (Tab A) to
the Secretary of Defense, Director, Office of Management and
Budget, Director of Central Intelligence drafted by PFIAB.
TOP . S EC RET C ODEWORD - GDS
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4 { II, - [ I (' - v - I ,.. -
MEMORANDUM 122'7X
THE WHITE HOUSE
TOP SECRET/
CQT4tA1NS CODEWORD
ACTION
April 24, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM: Henry A. Kissinger
SUBJECT: Proposed Study of National Reconnaissance
Program
Admiral Anderson has proposed (Tab B) that your Foreign
Intelligence Advisory Board conduct a, comprehensive six-
month study of the National Reconnaissance Program'(NRP).
Admiral Anderson is concerned that the management structure
of the National Reconnaissance Office is being "eroded"
through "regularization". The purpose of the proposed study
is to recommend to you the management best suited to fulfill
the ra .ssion of the NRP.
I fully agree with the Board's assessment of the vital
importance of the NRP, and believe that an.izpartial examina-
tion of the NRP management structure would be useful. I
also agree that the Board is the most appropriate element to
conduct an objective appraisal of this program.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the'memorandum (Tab A) to the Secretary of
Defense, Director, Office of Management and Budget, and
Director of Central Intelligence.
TOP SECRET/
CONTAINS CODEWORD
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25X1
THE WHITE HOUSE
PRESIDENT'S FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE ADVISORY BOARD
March 27, 1974
Dear Mr. President:
Your memorandum of November 5, 1971 on the Organization and
Management of the U. S. Foreign Intelligence Community, directed
retention of the present management structure of the National
Reconnaissance Office (NRO). For reasons which appear to be less
a result of intention than of changing circumstances -- reorganization
of the government agencies impacting on reconnaissance prlgrams --
we perceive that the management structure is being eroded through a
process of gradual "regularization. 11
We consider it appropriate and timely that the situation be carefully
assesssd so that whatever changes are warranted can be made as a
consequence of careful, informed decision-making at the highest level.
Since the National Reconnaissance Program management structure in-
cludes many agencies of the government -- the NRO, CIA, NSA, civilian
components of DOD, Air Force, Navy, and the Office of Management
and Budget -- it is unlikely that any single element of the intelligence
community could bring to bear the perspective and understanding neces-
sary for an objective appraisal. We propose, therefore, to conduct a
comprehensive study of the NRP as it exists today in order to recommend
to you the management best suited to fulfill its mission in the future.
To facilitate the Board's efforts and to underscore once more your
personal interest, we further recommend that you sign the attached
letter notifying principals of this undertaking.
Respectfully yours,
eorge Wf Anderson, Jr.
Admiral, USN (Ret.)
Chairman
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C.
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THE \VIIIT1. 11OUST; 25X1
WASHINGTON
PRESIDENT'S FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE ADVISORY BOA1RI)
' March 27, 1974
Many thanks for coming over this morning;
it was helpful.
Attached is an abbreviated form of the
memorandum you read. If possible, we
would like to have an answer prior to the
Board meeting next week (April 4 5).
Regards,
I
t Y\ V C\\ e A
V...-.. wr r.
Wheaton B. Byers
Maj. Gen. Brent Scoweroft
Deputy Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs
Enclosure: Ltr to the President on
PFIAB Study of NRP
PFIA11
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SECRET
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