| | 12 September 2005 |
CHANTILLY, Va. - The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), National Security Agency (NSA) and Naval Research Laboratory announce the declassification of the Cold War POPPY electronic intelligence (ELINT) reconnaissance program. NRO Deputy Director Dennis Fitzgerald hosted a private recognition ceremony today at NRO headquarters for the key contributors and program participants who were responsible for the success of the program. In the future, NSA will unveil a POPPY model for permanent display in their National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade, Maryland.
POPPY was the successor to the nation's first ELINT satellite, known as "GRAB" (Galactic Radiation and Background). Originally developed by the Naval Research Lab, POPPY became a multi-agency system when the NRO was established in 1962, shortly before the satellite's first launch. The POPPY system was designed to detect land based radar emitters and support ocean surveillance. In its seven launches spanning from 1962 to 1971, POPPY made tremendous contributions to the nation's security during an especially perilous era.
View POPPY Photos:
For additional information on the POPPY program see the POPPY Program Fact Sheet or contact the NRO Office of Corporate Communications at (703) 808-1746.
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