EIS, FIA, IOSA, IOSA II NRO CBJ '98-99

An interesting if heavily redacted version of the NRO congressional
budget justification document for FY 1998-1999 has appeared at
http://www.fas.org/irp/nro/fy98/index.html

The overall document classification was NOFORN TOP SECRET Handle Via
[Redacted, perhaps BYEMAN]TALENT-KEYHOLE COMINT Channels Jointly.


A couple of things it says on pp.8-9 are interesting as a snapshot
of what was being contemplated at the time:

(S) The Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) Program is a major
new initiative that will use EIS [Enhanced Imagery System] as
its foundation. The FIA will marry carefully surveyed user
needs to a customized mix of smaller satellites that promise
to greatly enhance system performance and target revisit
capabilities while greatly reducing cost. FIA will build on
the EIS ground architecture and incoporate many of the
acquisition reform initiatives recommended by the Jeremiah
and Hermann Panels and successfully demonstrated over the past
two years within the DoD. This includes issuing a statement
of needs and requirements vice a statement of work. We
expect this approach to yield shorter acquisition lead times
and reduce costs by removing barriers to contractor
productivity and creativeness.

[deletia]

(U) SIGINT

(S) The NRO's SIGINT Directorate is charged with developing
and acquiring systems for the collection and processing of
signals intelligence from overhead reconnaissance, as well as
operating the SIGINT collection satellites. The Directorate's
focus is three-fold: cost-effective suport to our customers
using existing systems, development and deployment of the
advanced Integrated Overhead SIGINT Architecture (IOSA), and
research and definition of future innovative follow-ons to IOSA.

(S) The SIGINT Directorate continues on a path to deploy a
fully integrated architecture in response to our customers'
needs for overhead SIGINT in the next century. Developed in
close concert with our NSA mission partners, the plan for this
future SIGINT architecture, by design, includes NSA's processing
and exploitation capabilities as an integral part of the
architecture.

[redactia]

(S/TK) While IOSA will meet early 21st century user requirements,
we recognize the need to begin planning now for the next
generation architectures to meet them anticipated requirements
beyond IOSA's 2006 full operational capability date. To this
end, the NRO and NSA have begun a community wide study for a
follow-on architecture -- IOSA Phase II. This study will consider
all approaches, including revolutionary concepts, designs and
technologies.

[more deletia, more redactia]

(U) LAUNCH

(S) In concert with the Air Force, plans continue for
modernizing the US expendable launch capability with the
development of an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)
program. The EELV program will develop a family of launch
vehicles (both medium and heavy-lift capabilities) that can
economically replase the current US fleet of Titan IV, Atlas and
Delta LVs. While the Air Force will develop the EELV, the NRO is
a partner with the Air Force in the definition and funding of
the EELV acquisition strategy.

(?/?)[Perhaps (S/B)] The NRO has embarked on an acquisition
strategy focusing on f[iel?]ding reconnaissance systems that will
meet the needs of a broad spectrum of customers at reduced cost.
Part of that strategy was to downsize whenever possible. We have
been overwhelmingly successful. The current constellation of
SIGINT, IMINT and relay satellites requires heavy-lift launch
vehicles almost exclusively. The system which will replace them
will almost exclusively use medium or small-lift bosters.
[Approximately six lines redacted.]

(S) The Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) Program is a major
new initiative that will use EIS [Enhanced Imagery System] as
its foundation.


A Kindly Correspondent has pointed out some current job
openings SAIC has at Springfield, VA (likely an emphemism for
Area 58) requiring knowledge of EIS as well as FIS. A typical
one, posted here for the record.

At some far distant time, I suspect that the story of EIS/8X will
prove to be an interesting one.

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Imagery Collection Manager (Posted January 26, 2004)

Job Description:
Imagery collection officer supporting national agency.
Write and submit imagery collection and dissemination
nominations. Review and approve customer imagery requirements.
Analyze imagery collection requirements performance strategies.
Ensure proper dissemination of imagery products. Advise
imagery and geospatial analysts on imagery-related collection
issues.

Required Skills:
Must have TS/SCI clearances and up-to-date SSBI (within past
5 yrs). Must have current CI poly (within past 5 yrs). RMS
training and familiarity with imagery requirements processes.
Experience that reflects knowledge and understanding of imagery
community structure and interfaces, imagery requirements
structure, and collection systems/capabilities.

Desired Skills:
Knowledge of enhanced imagery system (EIS), future imagery
architecture (FIA).

Job Category: Defense/Intelligence/Geopolitical
Ref. No: GLM079440
Location: Springfield, Virginia US
Contact: XXXX
Part Time or Temporary: Full-time (1st shift)
Able to Obtain Clearance: N/A
Possess Clearance: TS/SCI

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