Agency changes name to reflect intelligence capabilities

The National Imagery and Mapping Agency has changed its to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, a name the government says reflects its broader mission.

The change was part of the 2004 Defense Authorization Act, which became law in late November. The agency's Web site has changed to www.nga.mil.

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, NIMA accelerated its work to create a new discipline of geospatial intelligence. The discipline combines several analytical areas including cartography, geospatial analysis, imagery analysis, marine analysis, aeronautical analysis, regional analysis and geodesy.

NGA is a national intelligence agency as well as a combat support agency, whose mission is to provide timely, relevant and accurate geospatial intelligence.