Scott Large is stepping down as director of the National Reconnaissance Office, effective April 18, Reuters news wire service reported Thursday. According to Reuters, Large sent a memo to NRO employees on Wednesday announcing his decision, but without citing a specific reason for his departure. Large became the 16th NRO director in October 2007. His announcement came just on the heels of the Obama Administration approving a plan to procure new spy satellites (see above).
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
