"Little known" DEFSMAC Created to Cover Soviet Launches, Now Alerts and Reports Globally from China to South Africa
Center's History Spans 50 Years, Based at National Security Agency (NSA)
Edited by Jeffrey T. RichelsonWashington, D.C., October 21, 2014 –The secretive missile-tracking center known as DEFSMAC began at the National Security Agency 50 years ago in order to consolidate the multiple alerts and reports on Soviet missile launches, and now includes the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency along with the Defense Intelligence Agency as partners in a global 24/7 missile and space surveillance effort, according to declassified documents posted today by the National Security Archive at George Washington University (www.nsarchive.org).
Compiled and introduced by Archive senior fellow Dr. Jeffrey T. Richelson, the DEFSMAC documents describe the origins and functions of this important intelligence entity "little known to the public" that provided alerts on missile launches ranging from Chinese ICBMs to Iraqi short-range ballistic missiles during the first Gulf War.
DEFSMAC: NSA's Missile and Space Launch Warning and Reporting Center
Jeffrey T. Richelson (Ed.)
In a 2002 article (Document 22) in a National Security Agency (NSA) journal, the NSA's Defense Special Missile and Aerospace Center (DEFSMAC) is described as being "little known to the public" — although it has occasionally appeared in press accounts.1 DEFSMAC is one of a number of centers with a similar focus that can be found within a variety of U.S. intelligence agencies. In some cases, the centers originated as a distinct organization and were only later subordinated to a larger intelligence agency with a broader mission. Examples include the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC), currently subordinate to the 25th Air Force; the National Center for Medical Intelligence (NCMI) and Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC) - both components of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), which was a component of the Air Force ISR Agency for many years.
Other centers have first been established within an agency (or subordinate to multiple agencies) to perform specialized functions. Centers born within the CIA include the Medical and Psychological Analysis Center (MPAC) as well as the now-defunct Center for Climate Change and National Security (CCCNS), while the DIA manages the interagency Underground Facility Analysis Center (UFAC).2 For its part, DEFSMAC was established by an April 27, 1964, Department of Defense directive (Document 1b) as a joint operation of NSA and DIA and originally known as the Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center or Defense/SMAC. In contrast to the other missile and space intelligence centers, DEFSMAC's mission was more oriented toward alerting and reporting rather than producing detailed finished intelligence reports on foreign missile and space activities. Among recent launches that would have attracted DEFSMAC's attention were two Chinese ICBM tests conducted in late July 2014, as well as the Russian test of a Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile in September.
DEFSMAC succeeded NSA's missile analysis center after production of a study, Department of Defense Review of Missile and Space Intelligence of DoD Components on February 20, 1964. Produced by DIA Director Eugene Carroll and Eugene Fubini, the Department of Defense's senior official for research and engineering, the review resulted from the dissatisfaction of Defense Department officials over finding that "For a given event [they] often received more reports than there were collectors, each presenting only fragmentary, sometimes contradictory, view of the event."3
The April 27, 1964, directive (Document 1b, Document 12) specified that DEFSMAC would be responsible for "(a) twenty-four-hour surveillance of foreign missile and space activity; (b) tasking and technical control of DoD collection activities against foreign missile and space activity; (c) providing technical support, including tip-off, to all DoD missile and space collection activities; and (d) current analysis and reporting of foreign missile and space events based on data collected and received by DEFSMAC up to seventy-two hours after an event."Although DEFSMAC did not "own" any collectors of intelligence data, a 1981 account (Document 6b) reported "each of the collectors has been directed to respond to the guidance and suggestions of the DEFSMAC analyst and Mission Director on time-critical actions."4
A further step in the establishment of DEFSMAC was the May 29, 1964, memorandum (Document 3) between the directors of NSA and DIA that called for DEFSMAC to be established at NSA headquarters on June 1, 1964. DEFSMAC's first director was Charles C. Tevis (1964-67), who first became involved in signals intelligence activities in World War II and had been involved in the establishment of NSA's SIGINT Missile and Astronautics Center. In 1998, when a new DEFSMAC operations center opened it was dedicated (Document 16) to Tevis.
At the time, the CIA maintained a similar center — the Foreign Missile and Space Analysis Center (FMSAC) (Document 2), which merged with a component of the Office of Scientific Intelligence in 1973 to form the Office of Weapons Intelligence — leaving "DEFSMAC as the only continuously operating center in the Washington area focused on the foreign missile and space problem for alerting."5
Tip-off information to DEFSMAC may include communications intelligence from a variety of collection systems, from satellites to ground stations. The collectors potentially receiving tip-offs from DEFSMAC include (or have included) satellite ground stations (Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado; Pine Gap, Australia) for geosynchronous satellites that intercept missile telemetry or detect missile launches; aircraft such as the RC-135 COBRA BALL; radars and intercepts sites in Alaska, Turkey, and Iran; the COBRA JUDY and COBRA KING intelligence collection ships; and submarines. A 1994 article (Document 12) reported on the existence of a DEFSMAC program designated SMACPOST which "communicates with various tracking sites, relaying data and tasking information." The information obtained by those collectors as a result have contributed to a variety of DEFSMAC products.
One released DEFSMAC product is its February 27, 1991, (Document 10) listing of Iraqi short-range ballistic missile launches, specifying launch dates and target areas. Other examples are contained in 1980 reports by the CIA's National Photographic Interpretation Center (subsequently absorbed into the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) concerning Soviet and Chinese missile facilities and tests. DEFMSAC products used in preparing the August 1980 report (Document 4) on the Soviet Balaklava Missile Test Center included New SLBM Launched from Nenonska on 28 January 1980 and Two SS-N-02C Naval Cruise Missiles Launched in the Black Sea Area on [redacted]. A December 1980 report (Document 5) on a missile test launched from China's Shuangchengzi test center relied, in part, on three DEFSMAC reports - PRC Launches CSS-X-4 to South Pacific; Second PRC ICBM Probable In-Flight Failure; and PRC Announces Reopening of the Pacific Ocean Closure Area.
Information on DEFSMAC's organization structure has been available in a number of released documents (Document 7, Document 8) — the most recent being a 1998 organizational chart (Document 19). While that chart appeared with only the names of personnel redacted, NSA has denied subsequent requests for more recent charts in their entirety.
A brief 2012 history of DEFSMAC (Document 24) noted that "DEFSMAC is located at NSA headquarters at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and has been in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for almost 50 years." In those years its name has changed slightly — becoming the more modern sounding Defense Special Missile and Aerospace Center in 2002.6
In addition, the focus of DEFSMAC operations has broadened considerably. In the 1970s, the "primary emphasis was on Soviet missile and space-earth satellite vehicles (ESVs) and deep-space probes." Then, as a variety of nations including China, India, Israel, Iraq, North Korea, Pakistan, and South Africa developed and tested a variety of missiles of increasing range DEFSMAC's alerting and reporting functions widened. Further, in 2010 NSA and DIA added a new partner in their DEFSMAC effort — the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which reflected expanded use of geospatial intelligence in the DEFSMAC operation.7
THE DOCUMENTS
Document 1a: Department of Defense Directive Number S-5100.43, Subject: Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center (Defense/SMAC), April 27, 1964. Secret.
Document 1b: Department of Defense Directive Number S-5100.43, Subject: Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center (Defense/SMAC), April 27, 1964. Secret.
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release
These documents are different redacted versions of the DoD directive that established the Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center. The less redacted version, Document 1b, states, inter alia, the purpose of the directive, its scope, the functions and responsibilities of DEFSMAC, and relationships and authority.
Document 2: John A. McCone, Memorandum for: The Secretary of Defense, Subject: Foreign Missile and Space Activities, n.d. (circa May 1964). Classification Not Available.
Source: CIA Records Search Tool (CREST), National Archives, College Park.
This memorandum from the director of central intelligence, thanks Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara for an April 27 memorandum with a copy of his department's review of missile and space intelligence. McCone also notes the CIA has established its own Foreign Missile and Space Analysis Center (FMSAC) and that he expects DEFSMAC will serve as a "single point of contact with FMSAC." While McCone responds favorably to the concept of an exchange of representatives, he also rejects the proposal for creation of a DoD-CIA Missile and Space Intelligence Coordination Group.
Document 3: Gordon S. Blake, Director, National Security Agency, Memorandum of Understanding Between the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, Subject: Establishment of the Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center (DEFENSE/SMAC), May 29, 1964. Secret.
Source: DIA Freedom of Information Act Release.
This memorandum of understanding follows up on the April 27, 1964, DoD directive (Document 1b) directing the creation of DEFSMAC and specifies the beginning of operations on June 1, 1964, at Ft. George G. Meade (the location of NSA headquarters). It also identifies the NSA and DIA responsibilities that will be assumed and specifies the organization's mission.
Document 4: National Photographic Interpretation Center, Balaklava Missile Test Center, August 1980. Top Secret.
Source: CREST.
This report provides a basic description of the test center and describes missile-related and other activities at the Soviet site. The references section identifies two DEFSMAC reports that contributed to the study.
Document 5: National Photographic Interpretation Center, First Broad-Ocean Area Missile Test from Shuangchengzi Missile Test Range Complex SSM, China, December 1980. Top Secret.
Source: CREST.
As with Document 4, this study is based in part on DEFSMAC reporting. The references section identifies three of the center's cables employed in producing the study.
Document 6a: Richard L. Bernard, "The Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center," Cryptologic Spectrum, Fall 1981, pp. 30-33. Secret.
Document 6b: Richard L. Bernard, "The Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center," Cryptologic Spectrum, Fall 1981, pp. 30-33. Secret.
Sources: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release, www.nsa.gov.
Documents 6a and 6b offer differently redacted versions of an article on DEFSMAC from one of NSA's in-house journals. It discusses the origins, functional design, organization, targets, and field resources of DEFSMAC.
Document 7: Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center, "Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center: Organization, Mission, Functions and Concept of Operations," September 7, 1982. Secret.
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release.
This heavily-redacted document, with much of the denied material appearing in other documents, covers DEFSMAC's creation and authority, mission, functions and responsibilities, concept of operations, and the responsibilities of its assistant directors and some of their subordinate units.
Document 8: Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center, "DEFSMAC/W11 Work Centers: Brief Summary of Missions and Functions," October 1987.
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release.
This document identifies and describes the functions of different DEFSMAC work centers. It also contains much of the information deleted from Document 7.
Document 9: [Author Name Deleted], DEFSMAC - A Community Asset (1964-1989), n.d., Top Secret.
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release.
This history(apparently a draft) of DEFSMAC through 1989 discusses the organizations involved in the collection and analysis of space and missile intelligence prior to and after the creation of DEFSMAC. It also describes the center's organization and the responsibility of its directorates, the evolution of responsibilities, improvements in collection strategies, and plans for the future.
Document 10: DEFSMAC to DEFSMAC OSCAR TANGO, Subject: Middle East Conflict; Iraqi SRBM Launch Summary Through 26 February 1991, February 27, 1991, Secret.
Source: www.gulflink.osd.mil.
This internal memo provides an example of DEFSMAC reporting — specifically of Iraq missile launches during the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
Document 11: DEFSMAC to [Deleted], Subject: USCINCSPACE Study on Space Surveillance: NSA/DEFSMAC Requirements, March 17, 1994.
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release.
This cable from DEFSMAC to unidentified addressees involves the NSA/DEFSMAC response to a request by the (now defunct) U.S. Space Command for the NSA/DEFSMAC space surveillance requirements.
Document 12: Shaun D. Stine, "DEFSMAC: The Future is Now," Cryptologic Quarterly, 13, 1 (Spring 1994): 99 - 123.
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release.
Beyond its initial paragraph concerning DEFSMAC's origins and functions, the focus of the article is on DEFSMAC hardware and software requirements.
Department 13: Thomas R. Johnson, American Cryptology during the Cold War, 1945-1989, Book II: Centralization Wins, 1960 - 1972 (Ft. Meade, Md.: Center for Cryptologic History, 1995), Top Secret Umbra (Extract).
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release.
This extract from a NSA history discusses NSA missile and space intelligence prior to DEFSMAC, the center's creation, and the roles it assumed from DIA and NSA. It also notes that because "its official charter was established at the Department of Defense level, it carried with it far more authority" than NSA's Space and Missile Analysis Center.
Document 14: Lt. Col. Robert Doan, "IGRAM: Innovative Intelligence Reporting," Communiqué, August 1996. Unclassified.
Source: DIA Freedom of Information Act Release.
This article, from DIA's in-house journal, provides details on a newly-developed DEFSMAC intelligence product.
Document 15: Mark Clesh, "Dedication of New Operations Center for DEFSMAC," Communiqué, March - April 1998. Unclassified.
Source: DIA Freedom of Information Act Release.
This article provides some background on Charles Tevis, the first director of DEFSMAC, as well as on the creation of the organization, and its doubling of personnel strength.
Document 16: Chary Izquierdo, Director, DEFSMAC, "Welcoming Remarks at DEFSMAC Dedication Ceremony," April 9, 1998. Classification Not Available.
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release.
The ceremony that prompted the director's remarks was the dedication of DEFSMAC's new operations center to the memory of its first director, Charles Tevis (Document 13). Her remarks include a description of DEFSMAC's personnel and their product.
Document 17: Director NSA/CSS, DEFSMAC Dedication IHO Mr. Tevis, April 7, 1998. Unclassified .
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release.
This document provides talking points for the director of NSA in addressing the DEFSMAC dedication ceremony (Document 16). The focus is initially on Charles Tevis and then on DEFSMAC's history.
Document 18: [Deleted]@nsa, To: [Deleted]@nsa, Subject; FOIA J9347-983, June 15, 1998, Classification Not Available.
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release.
This internal NSA e-mail provides a one-paragraph description of DEFSMAC's mission and product.
Document 19: Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center - Organization Chart, November, 1, 1998.
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release.
This chart provides the most detailed description of DEFSMAC's organizational structure. A more recent (2010) FOIA request for the DEFSMAC organizational chart was denied in its entirety. An appeal was also denied.
Document 20: Col. Rosanne Greco, "What Is The DEFSMAC," Communiqué, June-July 1999. Unclassified .
Source: DIA Freedom of Information Act Release.
This one-page article provides an unclassified description of DEFSMAC for DIA employees.
Document 21: National Security Agency, "Hall of Honor: Charles C. Tevis, 1920-1994 (2002 Inductee), n.d. Unclassified.
Source: www.nsa.gov
This 'Hall of Honor' entry provides more details on the career of DEFSMAC's first director (Document 15, Document 16, Document 17), including his role in the formation of DEFSMAC.
Document 22: "Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center (DEFSMAC)," Cryptologic Almanac (50th Anniversary), May - June 2002. Secret/Comint.
Source: National Security Agency Freedom of Information Act Release.
This article provides another account of DEFSMAC's pre-history and its evolution — describing it as "little known to the public." It notes the role of DEFSMAC in Joint Chiefs of Staff operations and the growing number and origin of missile and space launches reported by DEFSMAC.
Document 23: Department of Defense Instruction Number S-5100.43, Subject: Defense Special Missile and Aerospace Center (DEFSMAC), September 24, 2008. Secret.
Source: Department of Defense Freedom of Information Act Release.
This document represents the third DoD charter for DEFSMAC — replacing an identically titled directive dated September 19, 2002. The 2002 Cryptologic Almanac article (Document 22) noted plans to replace "Astronautics" with "Aerospace" in the title. In contrast to the original directive, the 2008 instruction largely consists of defining the responsibilities of various individuals and organizations.
Document 24: Richard L. Bernard, Center for Cryptologic History, A Brief 50-Year (1960-2010) History of the Defense Special Missile and Aerospace Center (DEFSMAC) - The Forefront of Foreign Missile and Space Intelligence , 2001. Unclassified.
Source: National Security Agency.
This brochure by the DEFSMAC historian provides the most up-to-date history of DEFSMAC's formation and activities. It notes that in 2010 the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) joined NSA and DIA as a partner in the management and operation of DEFSMAC.
NOTES
[1]
John J. Lumpkin, Associated Press, "U.S. intelligence believes
Ukrainian surface-to-air missile brought down airliner," October 5,
2001.
[2] On UFAC, see Jeffrey T. Richelson (ed.), National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book 439, Underground Facilities: Intelligence and Targeting Issues, September 23, 2013.
[3] Richard L. Bernard, "The Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center" Cryptologic Spectrum, Fall 1981, pp. 30-33; "Hall of Honor: Charles C. Tevis, 1920-1994," www.nsa.gov.
[4]
One limitation to DEFSMAC 's "virtual blanket authority" was that it
"could not launch airborne collection platforms on its own - that
required a JCS go-ahead." Thomas R. Johnson, American Cryptology during the Cold War, 1945-1989, Book II: Centralization Wins, 1960 - 1972 (Fort George G. Meade, Md.: National Security Agency, 1995), p. 346.
[5]
[Author deleted], National Security Agency, DEFSMAC - A Community Asset
(1964-1989), n.d,, pp. 9-10. Also see, Jeffrey T. Richelson, The Wizards of Langley: Inside the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology (Boulder, Co.: Westview, 2001), pp. 79-87.
[6] Department of Defense Instruction, Subject: Defense Special Missile and Aerospace Center (DEFSMAC), September 24, 2008.
[7] Richard L. Bernard, Center for Cryptologic History, National Security Agency,
In the Forefront of Foreign Missile and Space Intelligence: History
of the Defense Special Missile and Aerospace Center (DEFSMAC), 1960-2010
, 2012, pp. 2, 13.
