National Reconnaissance Office director Bruce Carlson said his agency’s new charter, expected out in a couple of weeks, will probably give him milestone decision authority over NRO programs. “I think that’s appropriate because, when we hit the [launch] button, I have to be the guy who says it’s OK to hit the button.” It will also allow the NRO director to call a meeting of the Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence to work out when they give NRO incompatible instructions or requirements on programs. This is of “paramount” importance, Carlson said, if space recce programs are to succeed.
U.S. Northern Command and multiple research organizations just wrapped up a joint, three-year experiment to test new radar technology that could enable the Northern Warning System to detect incoming threats at longer ranges across Alaska and northern Canada.