(S) GERMANY EXPANDING OVERHEAD RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAMS AND EYE CLOSER USG PARTNERSHIP

Show metadata

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 000561

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/CE PETER SCHROEDER

STATE FOR ISN/MDSP DICK BUENNEKE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2034

TAGS: ETTC, PGOV, PINR, MCAP, PREL, TSPA, FR, GM

SUBJECT: (S) GERMANY EXPANDING OVERHEAD RECONNAISSANCE

PROGRAMS AND EYE CLOSER USG PARTNERSHIP

REF: A. 08 BERLIN 1537

B. 08 BERLIN 1575

C. BERLIN 181

Classified By: Global Affairs Unit Chief Don L. Brown for

reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

1. (S//NF) SUMMARY: Germany is taking concrete steps to

achieve a full-spectrum, overhead reconnaissance capability

by adding a space-based HIgh Resolution Optical System

(HiROS) to their already impressive suite of space-based

radar and multi-spectral systems. The German Government

believes that full spectrum overhead reconnaissance is an

effective force multiplier, provides an instrument of

national power, and politically frees Germany from dependence

on foreign sources of imagery. Germany anticipates that

their emergence as a world leader in overhead reconnaissance

will generate interest from the USG and envisions an

expansion of the intelligence relationship. END SUMMARY

2. (S//NF) On 8 April 2009, US National Geospatial

Intelligence Agency (NGA) officers met with German

Intelligence Service (BND) officials to discuss Germany's

plans for expanded nationally operated overhead

reconnaissance resources. These meetings included a working

lunch with BND Senior Vice President Arndt Freytag Freiherr

von Loringhoven, and a working level meeting with BND

Directorate UF Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and Imagery

Intelligence (IMINT)) officials led by Luftwaffe Colonel

Joachim Karl Trenker. Other BND attendees included

Bundeswehr Colonel Gross, Bundeswehr Lieutenant Colonel Frank

Richter, Navy Captain zur See Hoffheinz, and the BND Deputy

Head of Liaison for Berlin Lieutenant Colonel Sven Fleissig.

HIROS IS CRITICAL FOR INTELLIGENCE AND GOOD FOR JOBS

-------------- --------------

3. (S//NF) Over the past three years, Germany has

successfully fielded an impressive array of space-based radar

and multispectral collectors and this success has prompted

them to fill out their spectrum coverage to include an

optical (HiROS) capability. Furthermore, developing a German

national overhead reconnaissance capability offers the

/>opportunity to create desirable high profile, sector-specific

technology jobs and expand value-added technology exports.

The BND indicated that the final decision to appropriate

funding for the HiROS program would likely not be made until

after the September 27, 2009 German general elections. The

BND is highly confident, given their knowledge of available

funding and political support, that the HiROS plan will get

the go-ahead.

GERMANY'S HIROS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

--------------

4. (S//NF) Germany intends to develop HiROS through a DLR

(German Space Agency) /EADS Astrium public private

partnership (PPP). The division of EADS Astrium that would

build HiROS is the German-only InfoTerra GmbH, which has also

built German space-based radar satellite systems, TerraSAR-X

and TanDEM-X satellites (Ref B). To minimize possible

political backlash from developing HiROS as an intelligence

satellite, the program will be managed by a civil agency,

possibly the Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi).

For political optics, the satellites themselves would be

operated by a "commercial entity" created specifically for

this purpose, but with tasking managed/controlled/coordinated

by BND. Commercial imagery sales are envisioned to help

offset program development costs. BND managers are adamant

that the imagery must be unclassified to enable maximum

utility.

5. (S//NF) As envisioned, HiROS would consist of three

electro-optical (EO) satellites and may also incorporate an

infra-red (IR) sensor capability. BND is proposing an EO

sensor capable of 0.5 meter resolution (1.1 meter diameter

mirror) and a daily revisit capability for any spot on the

Earth's surface. The BND said this sensor would incorporate

"smart stereo" capabilities, which is a critical

technological feature that would aid in real-time, three

dimensional data set production.

BERLIN 00000561 002 OF 002

GERMANY OPTS FOR LOWER RESOLUTION TO AVOID EXPORT RESTRICTION

-------------- --------------

6. (S//NF) Germany chose 0.5 meter resolution for their

HiROS based on a balance of cost factors and their ability to

commercially export HiROS data. The BND stated that some

elements of the German military want a higher resolution

capability (possibly 0.41 meter or better),but indicated

that this is not in the current plan. Germany,s domestic

restrictions on the export of high resolution imagery

(Satellitendatensicherheitsgestz) and their sensitivities to

the United States remote sensing policy (which limits

commercial EO imagery to 0.5 meter) were instrumental factors

influencing Germany,s desire to export high resolution EO

data while minimizing export restrictions. In addition,

higher EO resolution would drive instrument costs up,

increase the size/weight of the satellites, and potentially

prolong the development time for HiROS.

GERMANY SEES REAL VALUE IN 3D POST-PROCESSING

--------------

7. (S//NF) The real value that Germany sees in an indigenous

HiROS system stems not only from the data independence it

would offer, but also from what they envision doing with the

data. Currently, Germany has imagery processing software,

developed by DLR, that provides high-resolution

three-dimensional (3D) data sets from their indigenous

space-based radar imagery and from procured HiROS imagery.

Germany anticipates that DLR will evolve the processing of 3D

data sets to near real-time. (COMMENT: NGA officers assess

that with the launch of the TanDEM-X satellite in Fall 2009

and the proposed launch of HiROS in 2013-2014, Germany could

ultimately dominate the world wide market for commercially

available optical and SAR-based terrain data. END COMMENT)

GERMANY EYES CLOSER GEOINT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE USG

-------------- --------------

8. (S//NF) The BND stressed that having their own national

space-based reconnaissance assets will enable them to be a

better partner with the USG by bringing more unique value to

the table. The BND indicated that they are anxious to

precede with additional high value substantive joint projects

with the USG and hope that through a closer imagery exchange

relationship, Germany could fill some of their collection

gaps by gaining access to US imagery covering Iran, North

Korea, China, and the Haqqani Network in the AFPAK region.

Also of note, the BND also wants to work with the USG on

GEOINT issues of mutual interest in Africa. (COMMENT: This

sentiment was reiterated by von Loringhoven during the

working lunch. END COMMENT) NGA officers responded that USG

cooperation on additional joint projects would hinge upon the

German side's ability to bring unique data sources and

information to the table.

Koenig

(S) GERMANY EXPANDING OVERHEAD RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAMS AND EYE CLOSER USG PARTNERSHIP

Share this cable