This document was prepared by the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), Systems Engineering & Integration Division (SOS). The purpose of this document is to define the United States Imagery and Geospatial Information System (USIGS) Technical Architecture (UTA). The UTA:

• profiles the Department of Defense (DoD) Joint Technical Architecture (JTA) Version 2.0 for the Imagery & Geospatial Community;
• presents a framework that details imagery and geospatial services and emphasizes the distributed object computing approach of the USIGS architecture;
• provides a standards-based technology forecast;
• promulgates guidance to the IGC in matters promoting interoperability and the use of common standards among USIGS systems.
  

• Mandated and emerging standards are incorporated within each architecture service area, rather than split into separate sections; this organization gives a clearer picture of how each set of standards is evolving.
• The profiling relationship with the JTA is spelled out more clearly, by specifying the UTA standards that change or add to JTA standards.
• The term Mission Specific Application (MSA) has been changed to Mission Area Application (MAA) to be consistent with the DoD Technical Reference Model (TRM). In addition, some of the MAA category names have been changed.
• An Addendum has been added that provides a compliance checklist and a complete, self-contained list of UTA standards and specifications (both those incorporated from the JTA and those added from industry sources).

Please refer questions or comments to: