From: Aftenposten
Date: 15.5.2009:
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 Germanys 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.
GERMANYS 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 Earths 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 sides ability to bring
unique data sources and information to the table.
Koenig