Within Intel Centers
Inside the Air and Space Exploitation Mission
NASIC shows how air, space and cyber-related foreign systems are exploited through an enduring intelligence production mission.
On this page
- What NASIC says its FME mission produces
- Why the Wright Patterson facility expansion mattered
- How air and space systems change exploitation needs
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Introduction
The National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base occupies a distinctive place within the United States’ foreign materiel exploitation system. While the broader foreign materiel programme spans multiple domains, NASIC’s mission is focused on understanding foreign air, space, missile and related cyber threats by acquiring, examining, testing and technically characterising real-world systems and components. In practical terms, it is one of the institutions that turns captured, recovered or otherwise acquired foreign technology into engineering-level intelligence that can inform military operations, procurement decisions and national policy. NASIC publicly describes this work as foreign materiel exploitation (FME), a mission centred on air, space and cyberspace-related military systems.[NASIC]nasic.af.milnasic opens new fme facilityNASIC opens new FME facility27 Oct 2017 — Foreign materiel exploitation is one of the many intelligence production missions at NASIC…
Within the broader story of reverse engineering foreign military technology, NASIC demonstrates how exploitation becomes an enduring intelligence production function rather than a one-off technical exercise. Its specialists are expected not merely to inspect equipment, but to generate detailed assessments of capabilities, limitations, vulnerabilities and design choices that decision-makers can use.[NASIC]nasic.af.milNASICLeadership changes hands for the Foreign Materiel ExploitationCol. Noel Humber gives remarks as the new Foreign Materiel Exploitation Squadron commander during the squadron's change of command…
What NASIC Says Its FME Mission Produces
NASIC’s public descriptions of its Foreign Materiel Exploitation Squadron provide an unusually direct explanation of what exploitation is meant to achieve. The organisation states that FME analysts exploit foreign air, space and cyberspace military systems to improve understanding of potential adversary capabilities. The resulting intelligence is intended to support operational planning, acquisition programmes and policy decisions.[NASIC]nasic.af.milnasic opens new fme facilityNASIC opens new FME facility27 Oct 2017 — Foreign materiel exploitation is one of the many intelligence production missions at NASIC…
The emphasis on “exploitation” is significant. In intelligence terminology, exploitation goes beyond possession of an object. Analysts attempt to determine how a system functions, what technologies it incorporates, how it compares with known variants, and where weaknesses may exist. NASIC has described its mission as delivering “unique, timely, and detailed” intelligence on foreign system capabilities and vulnerabilities.[NASIC]nasic.af.milNASICLeadership changes hands for the Foreign Materiel ExploitationCol. Noel Humber gives remarks as the new Foreign Materiel Exploitation Squadron commander during the squadron's change of command…
Public accounts from NASIC indicate that this work is conducted by multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, intelligence analysts and technical specialists. A 2016 NASIC description of the process noted that foreign materiel passed to the Foreign Materiel Exploitation Squadron could be examined by experts from more than ten technical disciplines. This reflects the reality that modern aerospace systems combine aerodynamics, electronics, sensors, software, communications, propulsion and materials engineering in a single platform.[NASIC]nasic.af.milacquire assess exploitAcquire, Assess, Exploit21 Nov 2016 —… NASIC hands off the “FM” (foreign materiel) to their 87-member Foreign Materiel Exploitati…
The products generated from exploitation are not limited to intelligence reports. Across the Department of Defense, foreign materiel exploitation results are used to support modelling and simulation, threat replication, training, tactics development, acquisition programmes and testing against U.S. systems. NASIC’s mission fits directly into that wider exploitation framework, but with a focus on aerospace and space-related threats.[U.S. Department of War]media.defense.govDepartment of WarUse of Foreign Materiel Exploitation Results8 Oct 1997 — Foreign materiel exploitation involves analysis, testing, and e…
Why the Wright-Patterson Facility Expansion Mattered
One of the clearest indicators of the importance attached to NASIC’s exploitation mission was the decision to expand its dedicated FME infrastructure at Wright-Patterson.
In 2014, officials broke ground on a major expansion project specifically justified by the growing demands of foreign materiel exploitation. At the ceremony, Air Combat Command commander General Hawk Carlisle described FME as the reverse engineering of foreign air, space and cyberspace-related military systems and linked the mission directly to understanding potential adversaries.[NASIC]nasic.af.milFME is the reverse-engineering of foreign airCenter breaks ground on FME expansion > National Air and Space…June 25, 2015 — Foreign materiel exploitation is one of the many i…
The project culminated in the opening of a new FME facility in 2017. According to NASIC, the $29.5 million addition added approximately 58,000 square feet, nearly tripled the size of the existing Watson Hall complex and doubled available laboratory space. Officials explicitly connected the expansion to the need to execute the foreign materiel exploitation mission more effectively.[NASIC]nasic.af.milnasic opens new fme facilityNASIC opens new FME facility27 Oct 2017 — Foreign materiel exploitation is one of the many intelligence production missions at NASIC…
The significance of the expansion was not simply the creation of more office space. Foreign materiel exploitation often requires specialised laboratories, secure storage, technical instrumentation, controlled handling procedures and facilities capable of supporting engineering analysis. A larger facility allows multiple exploitation efforts to proceed simultaneously and gives analysts room to disassemble, test and compare increasingly complex systems.[NASIC]nasic.af.milnasic opens new fme facilityNASIC opens new FME facility27 Oct 2017 — Foreign materiel exploitation is one of the many intelligence production missions at NASIC…
The investment also illustrates a broader institutional reality: successful reverse engineering depends on infrastructure. Captured hardware has little intelligence value if there are insufficient laboratories, technical experts or analytical resources available to exploit it rapidly. NASIC’s expansion represented an effort to sustain exploitation as a standing capability rather than an improvised response to isolated opportunities.[NASIC]nasic.af.milnasic opens new fme facilityNASIC opens new FME facility27 Oct 2017 — Foreign materiel exploitation is one of the many intelligence production missions at NASIC…
How Air and Space Systems Change Exploitation Needs
Air and space threats create distinctive challenges compared with many other forms of foreign materiel exploitation.
Aircraft, missiles, satellites and associated electronic systems are highly integrated technologies. A recovered component may reveal information about propulsion, radar performance, electronic warfare techniques, guidance systems, software architecture or manufacturing methods. Understanding such systems therefore requires specialist facilities and personnel capable of analysing both physical hardware and the data associated with it.[HigherGov]highergov.comForeign Material Exploitation Tool Development Federal…The National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) is seeking supp…
Another challenge is the pace of technological change. Modern aerospace systems evolve through continuous upgrades, export variants and mission-specific modifications. Intelligence organisations must therefore compare newly acquired items with previously examined examples and maintain long-term technical baselines. The value of exploitation often comes from identifying incremental changes that indicate shifts in an adversary’s capabilities or priorities rather than from discovering an entirely new weapon. NASIC’s role as a long-standing scientific and technical intelligence centre helps provide that continuity.[LinkedIn]linkedin.comThe center is a field operating agency that reports directly to the Deputy Chief of…Read more…
The inclusion of space and cyberspace systems further broadens the problem. NASIC has repeatedly described its FME mission as covering air, space and cyberspace-related military systems rather than aircraft alone. This reflects the growing integration of communications networks, software-defined electronics, satellite services and cyber-enabled capabilities into modern military platforms. Exploitation increasingly involves understanding how hardware, software and networks interact rather than analysing isolated mechanical components.[NASIC]nasic.af.milnasic opens new fme facilityNASIC opens new FME facility27 Oct 2017 — Foreign materiel exploitation is one of the many intelligence production missions at NASIC…
For decision-makers, this means the exploitation mission must answer more than a simple question of what a foreign system is. It must explain how the system operates within a broader military architecture, how it may perform in real-world conditions and how its vulnerabilities might affect future operations. That requirement helps explain why NASIC presents foreign materiel exploitation as an intelligence production mission rather than merely a laboratory activity.[NASIC]nasic.af.milNASICLeadership changes hands for the Foreign Materiel ExploitationCol. Noel Humber gives remarks as the new Foreign Materiel Exploitation Squadron commander during the squadron's change of command…
From Wartime Capture to a Permanent Aerospace Intelligence Function
NASIC’s exploitation mission also reflects a long institutional lineage. The centre traces its heritage to wartime efforts at Wright Field, where captured foreign aircraft and technical documents were examined during and after the Second World War. Those activities evolved through the Air Technical Intelligence Center and the Foreign Technology Division before becoming today’s NASIC.[NASIC]nasic.af.milNational Air and Space Intelligence Center HeritageOfficers and civilian scientists, mostly from Wright Field, followed the allies t…
The continuity matters because it shows how foreign materiel exploitation became embedded within aerospace intelligence. Rather than treating captured technology as an occasional windfall, NASIC institutionalised the capability to acquire, assess and exploit foreign systems whenever opportunities arise. Public descriptions of the centre’s mission emphasise discovering and characterising air, space, missile and cyber threats, while its dedicated FME organisation provides one mechanism for transforming physical foreign technology into actionable intelligence.[LinkedIn]linkedin.comThe center is a field operating agency that reports directly to the Deputy Chief of…Read more…
In the context of reverse engineering foreign military technology, NASIC therefore serves as a concrete example of how exploitation becomes a permanent intelligence function: specialist facilities, specialist personnel and a continuing mission focused on turning foreign air and space systems into knowledge that can shape military and policy decisions.[NASIC]nasic.af.milnasic opens new fme facilityNASIC opens new FME facility27 Oct 2017 — Foreign materiel exploitation is one of the many intelligence production missions at NASIC…
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Endnotes
1.
Source: linkedin.com
Link:https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasic
Source snippet
The center is a field operating agency that reports directly to the Deputy Chief of...Read more...
2.
Source: nasic.af.mil
Title: NASICLeadership changes hands for the Foreign Materiel Exploitation
Link:https://www.nasic.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3073708/leadership-changes-hands-for-the-foreign-materiel-exploitation-squadron/
Source snippet
Col. Noel Humber gives remarks as the new Foreign Materiel Exploitation Squadron commander during the squadron's change of command...
3.
Source: media.defense.gov
Link:https://media.defense.gov/1997/Oct/08/2001715489/-1/-1/1/98-005.pdf
Source snippet
Department of WarUse of Foreign Materiel Exploitation Results8 Oct 1997 — Foreign materiel exploitation involves analysis, testing, and e...
4.
Source: nasic.af.mil
Title: acquire assess exploit
Link:https://www.nasic.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1010245/acquire-assess-exploit/
Source snippet
Acquire, Assess, Exploit21 Nov 2016 —... NASIC hands off the “FM” (foreign materiel) to their 87-member Foreign Materiel Exploitati...
5.
Source: highergov.com
Link:https://www.highergov.com/contract-opportunity/foreign-material-exploitation-tool-development-fed-rfq1491869-o-1cdc6/
Source snippet
Foreign Material Exploitation Tool Development Federal...The National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) is seeking supp...
6.
Source: nasic.af.mil
Title: FME is the reverse-engineering of foreign air
Link:https://www.nasic.af.mil/News/Article/611039/center-breaks-ground-on-fme-expansion/
Source snippet
Center breaks ground on FME expansion > National Air and Space...June 25, 2015 — Foreign materiel exploitation is one of the many i...
Published: June 25, 2015
7.
Source: nasic.af.mil
Link:https://www.nasic.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/611728/national-air-and-space-intelligence-center-heritage/
Source snippet
Air and Space Intelligence Center HeritageHeadquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB, NASIC's official organizational lineage dates to 1961, h...
8.
Source: nasic.af.mil
Link:https://www.nasic.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/611728/national-air-and-space-intelligence-center-heritage/
Source snippet
National Air and Space Intelligence Center HeritageOfficers and civilian scientists, mostly from Wright Field, followed the allies t...
9.
Source: de.linkedin.com
Link:https://de.linkedin.com/company/nasic
Source snippet
(National Air and Space Intelligence Center)Mission NASIC's mission is to discover and characterize air, space, missile, and cyber threat...
10.
Source: nasic.af.mil
Title: nasic opens new fme facility
Link:https://www.nasic.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1356030/nasic-opens-new-fme-facility/
Source snippet
NASIC opens new FME facility27 Oct 2017 — Foreign materiel exploitation is one of the many intelligence production missions at NASIC...
11.
Source: Wikipedia
Title: National Air and Space Intelligence Center
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Air_and_Space_Intelligence_Center
Source snippet
National Air and Space Intelligence CenterNational Air and Space Intelligence Center, new Foreign Materiels Exploitation (FME) center...
12.
Source: usafunithistory.com
Title: NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE INTELLIGENCE CENTER
Link:https://usafunithistory.com/PDF/F-S/NATIONAL%20AIR%20AND%20SPACE%20INTELLIGENCE%20CENTER.pdf
Source snippet
10 Oct 2025 — The center uses a foreign materiel exploitation capability that allows the nation's top analysts and technicians to fully s...
13.
Source: clodura.ai
Title: nasic national air and space intelligence center
Link:https://www.clodura.ai/directory/company/nasic-national-air-and-space-intelligence-center
Source snippet
NASIC (National Air and Space Intelligence Center)20 Nov 2025 — Mission NASICs mission is to discover and characterize air, space, missil...
14.
Source: vetfriends.com
Link:https://www.vetfriends.com/units/6267/nasic
Source snippet
U.S. Air Force UnitOfficial Activation: The National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) was officially activated in 1993, evolving...
15.
Source: intelligencecommunitynews.com
Title: nasic seeks sources for foreign material exploration
Link:https://intelligencecommunitynews.com/nasic-seeks-sources-for-foreign-material-exploration/
Source snippet
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH to seek sources capable of performing to the attached Performance Work Statement for Foreign Material Exploitati...
Additional References
16.
Source: leidos.com
Link:https://www.leidos.com/capabilities/cyber/electronic-warfare
Source snippet
Electronic WarfareUsing data analysis, reverse engineering, threat weapon system exploitation, and threat weapon system test and evaluati...
17.
Source: greydynamics.com
Link:https://greydynamics.com/fmep-us-foreign-material-exploitation-programs/
Source snippet
FMEP: US Foreign Material Exploitation ProgramsUS Foreign Material Exploitation Programs (FMEPs) covertly and overtly acquire and analyse...
18.
Source: spaceforce.mil
Link:https://www.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Display/Article/3820323/national-space-intelligence-center/
Source snippet
National Space Intelligence CenterNSIC is headquartered and co-located with the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright Patt...
19.
Source: ftpmirror.your.org
Link:https://ftpmirror.your.org/pub/wikimedia/images/wikipedia/en/7/73/NASIC_history.pdf
Source snippet
centerOfficers and civilian scientists, mostly from Wright Field, followed the armies to exploit captured enemy materiel and documents. W...
20.
Source: turner.house.gov
Title: turner leads advocacy for nasic and wright patt
Link:https://turner.house.gov/2014/6/turner-leads-advocacy-for-nasic-and-wright-patt
Source snippet
Air and Land Forces, announces $29.5M for the construction of a new Foreign Material Exploitation (FME) facility for the National Air and...
21.
Source: orangeslices.ai
Link:https://orangeslices.ai/usaf-sources-sought-national-air-and-space-intelligence-center-nasic-advisory-support-technical-requirement-administration-astra-idiq/
Source snippet
foreign cyber threats to prevent technological surprise for air and space dominance.Read more...
22.
Source: nsarchive.gwu.edu
Link:https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/intelligence/2018-01-31/scavenging-intelligence-us-governments-secret-search-foreign-objects-during-cold-war
Source snippet
Government's Secret Search for Foreign Objects...31 Jan 2018 — These foreign material exploitation activities, conducted by the CIA and...
23.
Source: dvidshub.net
Title: acquire assess exploit nasic reverse engineers advantage pilots and leaders
Link:https://www.dvidshub.net/news/216127/acquire-assess-exploit-nasic-reverse-engineers-advantage-pilots-and-leaders
Source snippet
“The screening process for those selected into the Air Force's Foreign Materiel Exploitation...Read more...
24.
Source: globenewswire.com
Title: Mac B Awarded 92M Foreign Materiel Exploitation Contract for NASIC
Link:https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/09/24/1575122/16222/en/MacB-Awarded-92M-Foreign-Materiel-Exploitation-Contract-for-NASIC.html
Source snippet
warfighters maintain their competitive edge by enabling the execution of timely exploitation of foreign...Read more...
25.
Source: reddit.com
Link:https://www.reddit.com/r/area51/comments/1k8xa8m/did_the_foreign_materiel_exploitation_squadron/
Source snippet
nd do you think they recovered any UAPs or UFOs?Read more...
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