Microsoft Corp. and the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) signed an agreement to develop new technologies for delivering geospatial data via the Internet, the organizations announced May 11.

Under a letter of understanding, Microsoft and the NGA will deliver information for humanitarian, peacekeeping and national security efforts via Microsoft’s Virtual Earth platform, an online mapping and search service, and at the same time collaborate on technology development efforts intended to improve delivery of the data. The NGA recently used the Virtual Earth platform to develop a mapping site for relief efforts surrounding Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region.

“This relationship will enable NGA to cooperate in the development of Microsoft’s mapping software and to explore commercial software solutions,” James Clapper, director of the NGA, said in a statement.