NGA in History - Defining Moments
Aeronautical Chart and Information Center
In August 1952, the U.S. Air Force’s Aeronautical Chart and Information Center was created by merging the Aeronautical Chart and Information Service, established in Washington, D.C., and the Aeronautical Chart Plant, located in St. Louis, Missouri. The ACIC – a heritage organization of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency – consolidated all the services and facilities in St. Louis.
During the 20 years of its existence, the ACIC was critical in supporting U.S. efforts in Vietnam, deploying the Point Positioning Database targeting system, which gave U.S. aviators better targeting accuracy. It also provided charts and graphics to assist the planning and execution of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, which included determining lunar orbits and finding landing sites.
In 1972, the ACIC was folded into the Defense Mapping Agency – which consolidated multiple mapping agencies and assumed responsibility for producing and distributing maps, charts, and geodetic products and services – and was renamed the DMA Aerospace Center.
During the 20 years of its existence, the ACIC was critical in supporting U.S. efforts in Vietnam, deploying the Point Positioning Database targeting system, which gave U.S. aviators better targeting accuracy. It also provided charts and graphics to assist the planning and execution of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, which included determining lunar orbits and finding landing sites.
In 1972, the ACIC was folded into the Defense Mapping Agency – which consolidated multiple mapping agencies and assumed responsibility for producing and distributing maps, charts, and geodetic products and services – and was renamed the DMA Aerospace Center.