Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 5105.23
June 28, 2011
Incorporating Change 1, Effective October 29, 2015
DA&M DCMO
SUBJECT: National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE.
a. Pursuant to the authorities vested in the Secretary of Defense by title 10, United States
Code (U.S.C.); title 50, U.S.C.; and Executive Order (E.O.) 12333 (References (a) through (c)),
and pursuant to the Secretary of Defense-Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Memorandum
of Agreement (MoA) of September 21, 2010 and DoD Directive (DoDD) 5143.01 (References
(d) and (e)), this Directive reissues DoDD 5105.23 (Reference (f)) to update the mission,
organization and management, responsibilities and functions, relationships, authorities, and
administration of the NRO. This Directive shall be interpreted consistent with law, policy, and
directive, including, as applicable, those related to the DNI and existing parent element
agreements. This Directive addresses the roles and responsibilities of the NRO within the DoD
and acknowledges interdependencies with parent elements, other government agencies (OGAs),
and the DNI, as appropriate.
b. Incorporates and cancels Secretary of Defense Memorandum (Reference(g)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This Directive applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense (IG DoD), the Defense Agencies,
the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the DoD (hereinafter referred to
collectively as the “DoD Components”).
3. DEFINITIONS. See Glossary.
4. MISSION. The NRO is responsible for research and development (R&D), acquisition,
launch, deployment, and operation of overhead reconnaissance systems, and related
