An intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance capability initiative that would electronically transmit information to commanders is being tested at the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2006 at Nellis AFB, Nev. The new process would allow non-traditional ISR (NTISR) services to flow directly from aircraft to the Air and Space Operations Center and forward locations. The NTISR initiative will fill in current gaps with tactical forward sensor information through an Internet protocol-enabled network from aircraft with targeting pods, according to Maj. Simon Corley, the NTISR initiative lead. Several new technologies are being tested at this year’s JEFX exercises, including a new capability called Tactical Targeting Network Technology, which follows an Internet-based protocol system designed to quickly target moving and time critical targets, fully integrating weather data into the combined air operations center process.
The Pentagon announced new long-term agreements with four defense companies May 13 to develop and produce large numbers of low-cost cruise missiles. And while the effort will focus mostly on the Army to start, it pairs with Air Force efforts to find more affordable munitions.