National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Definition/Scope: The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) provides timely, relevant and accurate geospatial intelligence in support of national security objectives. The term “geospatial intelligence” means the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on the Earth. Geospatial intelligence consists of imagery, imagery intelligence and geospatial (e.g., mapping, charting and geodesy) information. Information collected and processed by NGA is tailored for customer-specific solutions. By giving customers ready access to geospatial intelligence, NGA provides support to civilian and military leaders and contributes to the state of readiness of U.S. military forces. NGA also contributes to humanitarian efforts, such as tracking floods and disaster support, and to peacekeeping. NGA is a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community and a Department of Defense (DoD) Combat Support Agency. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., NGA operates major facilities in the St. Louis, Mo. And Washington, D.C. areas. The Agency also fields support teams worldwide. NGA mission is to provides timely, relevant and accurate geospatial intelligence in support of national security objectives, while their vision is: Know the Earth … Show the Way. NGA was formerly known as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA).

Used For:

Defense Mapping Agency
National Imagery and Mapping Agency
Protection WFF

Acronym:

NGA

Broader Terms:

geospatial intelligence
imagery intelligence
Intelligence Community
intelligence organization
measurement and signature intelligence
National Intelligence Support Team

Narrower Terms:

aerial photography
digital mapping
terrain analysis
terrain mapping

Related Terms:

Defense Joint Intelligence Operations Center
Department of Homeland Security
Federal Bureau of Investigation
geospatial intelligence
Homeland Security Council
Improvised Explosive Device
intelligence collection management
Intelligence Community
Interagency Threat Assessment and Coordination Group
National Counterproliferation Center
National Counterterrorism Center
national security
National Security Agency
radio-controlled improvised explosive device
vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device