SIGINT Collection Ships Part 3 of 8 – Technical Research Ships

Surface collectors of intelligence of indirect support to the Navy, but under the technical direction and control of the National Security Agency, were the technical research ships –


USS Belmont (AGTR 4), USS Georgetown (AGTR 2, designated AG 165 prior to 1 April 1965), USS Jamestown (AGTR 3), USS Liberty (AGTR 5), and USS Oxford (AGTR 1) (featured image) and the miscellaneous auxiliary USNS Private Jose F. Valdez (T-AG-169) and USNS Sgt. Joseph E. Muller (T-AG 171).

Their primary mission was to collect signal intelligence (SIGINT) to satisfy national requirements. They also collected data for electromagnetic propagation studies and to collect on advance communications systems, such as satellite communications.