National Reconnaissance Office director Bruce Carlson said his agency’s new charter, expected out in a couple of weeks, will probably give him milestone decision authority over NRO programs. “I think that’s appropriate because, when we hit the [launch] button, I have to be the guy who says it’s OK to hit the button.” It will also allow the NRO director to call a meeting of the Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence to work out when they give NRO incompatible instructions or requirements on programs. This is of “paramount” importance, Carlson said, if space recce programs are to succeed.
The Defense Department is reviewing the "pass through" budget idiosyncrasy that makes the Air Force's spending levels look nearly a fifth larger than they really are, acting department Secretary John P. Roth told the Senate Armed Services Committee. The sticking point is that changing the attribution of the money may…