NRO Director: Industrial Base Issues Flagged

A warning flare was ignited today regarding the health of the U.S. industrial base by Scott Large, Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) here at the 25th National Space Symposium.

Large said the NRO has recently completed a new strategic plan with 11 specific action items – a plan that makes both the technical and business case for the national space security enterprise.

While specifics are classified, Large said that NRO is engaged in restoring confidence in what his organization is doing. There is need for an education process given the new Obama administration, as well as enhancing communication with Capitol Hill leadership.

“NRO is not a stand-alone organization,” Large explained, underscoring the skill set offered by others in the intelligence-gathering business.

Large noted the budget landscape that NRO is operating within. “It’s going to be difficult...this is not a cheap business…it’s hard, it takes time.”

Regarding the space architecture that NRO is trying to put in place, Large said moving innovative ideas out of the lab into space is key. “We’ve had spectacular successes,” he said, without going into details.

In closing remarks, Large flagged the need for stabilizing and strengthening the industrial base. He also urged putting in place a long term strategy beyond a 5 year budget cycle.

“It will be hard…it will take time,” Large emphasized.

-- Leonard David, SWF Research Associate