The National Consortium for Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) Research (NCMR) provides cutting-edge scientific and technological research for the Intelligence Community (IC). The FY04 Intelligence Authorization Act, Section 504, directed Secretary of Defense to establish a means to leverage basic research at universities, national laboratories, and in industry to develop new MASINT capabilities. In response, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) established the NCMR.
The NCMR serves as a dynamic forum for diverse research partners in conducting advanced research and development (R&D) to enhance existing MASINT capabilities or introduce new ones addressing the most pressing intelligence needs. Through the NCMR, investments supported by Congress converge around the National Intelligence Priority Framework, sustaining the intellectual capital needed to continue technical advances in the IC.
A memorandum from the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in 2007 laid the ground work for re-energizing the IC’s investment in MASINT. This memo entitled “Execution of the Measurement and Signatures Intelligence Services of Common Concern (SoCC)” described the overarching structure for a new organization to manage MASINT from a National perspective. The Intelligence Community recommended the establishment of the National MASINT Management Office (NMMO) to be operated by DIA. The NCMR was specifically named as an element of the NMMO and a SoCC. Furthermore, the Director of DIA recently became appointed the MASINT Functional Manager with NMMO playing a key role in the execution of those duties. As such, the NCMR has gained leverage in influencing national research and development investment strategies.