DEFENSE RECONNAISSANCE TACTICAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY (DRTSA)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00171R001100130001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 24, 2007
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: October 6, 1981
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2007/10/26: CIA-RDP83MOO171 ROO1100130001-1
TOP SECRET
NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE
October 6, 1981
NSA review
completed
MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTOR, INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY STAFF
SUBJECT: Defense Reconnaissance Tactical Support Activity (DRTSA)
In response to your expressed interest in the DRTSA Project, we would be
most pleased to have a representative of your office participate in the
DRTSA Advisory Group to the extent you deem appropriate.
For your background and information, participating services and organizations
have nominated action officers at the 0-4 through 0-6 and civilian equivalent
grade levels. This is in accordance with the intent of the Advisory Group
proposal. The goal is to have this group participate as much as possible
in the actual development of concepts, plans, funding proposals, individual
capabilities, and service demonstrations and evaluations of capabilities
which will comprise the DRTSA architecture for operational support. I
would characterize the function of this group as "hands-on" action and
advice. Executive approval for the overall direction and funding of the
project will be exercised primarily at the Defense Reconnaissance Support
Program (DRSP) and Tactical Cryptologic Program (TCP) Review Group level.
We anticipate that the first meeting of the Advisory Group will be held
in mid-October. My point of contact for this project)
NRO review(s)
completed.
TOP SECRET
REVIEW: 06 OCTOBER 2001
NRO
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INFORMATION
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INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY STAFF
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DEFENSE RECONNAISSANCE TACTICAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY
ADVISORY GROUP
PURPOSE: The Defense Reconnaissance Tactical Support Activity (DRTSA)
Advisory Group is established to assist the DRTSA Joint Project Office
(JPO) of the Director, National Security Agency (DIRNSA) and the Director,
National Reconnaissance Office (DNRO) in developing and reviewing the
DRTSA. The purpose of the DRTSA is to develop an improved tactical
support system for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Imagery Intelli-
gence (IMINT) that is responsive to the military need and compatible
with both the national and military structures; and which exploits the
responsiveness of modern technology in present and planned overhead assets.
FUNCTIONS: The functions of the DRTSA Advisory Group are:
To assist the DRTSA JPO in developing and reviewing the plans and programs
of the Joint Activity.
To advise the JPO of Service plans and initiatives that should be considered
or accommodated in the DRTSA.
To assist the JPO in developing and reviewing funding proposals of
the Joint Activity.
To monitor the status of DRTSA efforts and identify appropriate Service
and Agency elements to support these efforts.
To initiate and coordinate actions within the respective Services and
Agencies of the. Advisory Group members, as required to meet the stated
objective of the DRTSA.
MEMBERSHIP: The DRTSA Advisory Group shall consist of officer/civilian
representatives from each of the military services, the Defense Intelli-
gence Agency, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Security Agency,
and the National Reconnaissance Office.
MANAGEMENT: Representatives of the DIRNSA and the DNRO will co-chair
meetings of the DRTSA Advisory Group. Executive Secretary and administra-
tive functions for the Group will be provided by. the NRO. Meetings
will be requested by any member as necessary to accomplish the functions
of the Advisory Group for each major phase of the project.
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TOP SECRET
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[UP SECRET
August 5, 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
CHIEF OF STAFF, ARMY
CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
CHIEF OF STAFF, AIR FORCE
COMMANDANT, MARINE CORPS
.DIRECTOR, DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
SUBJECT: Defense Reconnaissance Tactical Support Activity
(DRTSA) Advisory Group
As you are aware the Director, National Security Agency and the Director,
National Reconnaissance Office have charter responsibilities to support
military operations and commanders. To improve our capability to fulfill
these responsibilities, we established the Defense Reconnaissance Tactical
Support Activity (DRTSA) in March of t4ris year. The DRTSA establishes
a joint project office to develop an improved operations and dissemination
capability for satellite SIGINT and IMINT reconnaissance support to
military operations. The project' is being driven by intelligence support
needs and support deficiencies identified by the Services. At the time
we established the DRTSA, we were aware that its purpose could not be
fulfilled without specific and continuing advice from the military services
and staffs. Attached is a draft Advisory Group charter for the DRTSA;
it is our intent that this Advisory Group would provide the forum to
accomplish the advice and project review role. Review and recommendation
on DRTSA funding proposals would be accomplished by the Advisory Group
before the established program review processes of the Defense Reconnais-
sance Support Program (DRSP) and the Tactical Cryptologic Program (TCP).
We would appreciate your comments on the Advisory Group charter and
designation of an action officer by 24 August 1981.
Lincoln Faurer .
Lt General, USAF
Director
National Security
Agency
1 Atch
Draft DRTSA Charter
obert J. Hermann
Director
National Reconnaissance
Office
TOP SECRET
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INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY STAFF
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OA&E Routing Slip
SUBJECT : i9lmn..dt c~
COMMENTS
D/OA&E Cowmen
DATE IN DATE OUT INITIALS
EA/OA&E Comments:
DISPOSITION:
ACTION:
COORDINATE WITH:
SUSPENSE DATE:
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ESTROY:
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