The new policy is inconsistent with efforts by DoD and NGA to expand the trusted supplier base by better integrating allied firms into their acquisition chains, critics say.

Exclusive: NRO Erects Buy American Barriers Against Allied Satellite Data WASHINGTON: A new National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) policy limits its pool of potential commercial remote sensing vendors to US firms — eschewing even companies based in allied nations with US operations legally approved to sell weapons to DoD. "The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has made the determination that the solicitation for procurement of commercial imagery for operational support shall be limited to US-owned, US-operated and US-controlled companies," states a March 18 letter signed by Benjamin Fallon, head of congressional and public affairs. The letter, obtained by Breaking Defense, was addressed to the leaders of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., and Ranking Member Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Read more » Breaking Defense 611 Broadway • New York, New York • 10012 unsubscribe