ABSTRACT

The technical means mentioned in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks II Agreement refer to the long-standing Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) programs as well as the overhead reconnaissance activities, which owe their origins to the relatively new need to know as much as possible about Soviet missile developments. SIGINT encompasses Electronics Intelligence, once referred to as Electronics Intercept at a time when some questioned whether its technical contributions really constituted "intelligence." In 1961 central control for overhead reconnaissance was established in a small office composed of Central Intelligence Agency, Air Force, and Navy personnel, who reported to the Secretary of Defense. The source relied on for much of the foregoing review stated general role of reconnaissance satellites as follows: By photographing missiles test sites help to identify new missile systems, to detect changes in operational procedure that may suggest a change in hardware and to monitor testing programs. In addition to SIGINT and overhead reconnaissance are certain other forms of strategic surveillance.