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(U//FOUO) CANYONDUST Goes Global
FROM: SIGINT Communications
Unknown
Run Date: 09/25/2003
(S//SI) Sometimes a solution to a specific problem turns out to have wider applications than
originally intended. Take, for example, CANYONDUST, a ground-based INMARSAT geolocation
capability. It was originally intended to satisfy a significant analytic capabilities gap for the
Western Hemisphere narcotics target. It has proved so useful, however, that three additional
systems will be deployed this calendar year to cover the majority of landmass around the world.
(TS//SI) This effort will provide analysts with a 24/7 geolocation capability, will
enhance/compliment current overhead capabilities, and will provide considerable data for target
discovery efforts. Although it is not as accurate as Overhead (satellite-based) geolocation,
CANYONDUST is far less expensive and, used wisely, can greatly reduce the burden on the
limited Overhead resources. For example, CANYONDUST can carry out the preliminary legwork
in finding high-interest targets, at which time Overhead resources can then be steered to give a
more precise geolocation.
(TS//SI) The currently operational system at TIMBERLINE (the FORNSAT collection facility in
Sugar Grove, West Virginia) has provided results that have helped SID and GCHQ analysts
working the Counterterrorism, China and Korea, and narcotics targets. It performs about
250,000 terminal geolocations per day. While the system is being funded with primarily DCIP
(The Defense Counterdrug Intelligence Program) money, it is being transferred to S3's FORNSAT
Division for full integration into the SIGINT System's architecture and life cycle support issues.
(U//FOUO) Note: The above information was presented by
Intelligence and Technical Review.
at a recent SID
(U//FOUO) For further information on CANYONDUST, contact the following representatives:
.
Technical Director of the Office of International Crime and Narcotics (S2F), at
CANYONDUST Program Manager,
.
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108