The Air Force oversaw the explosion of investment in intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance platforms, like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, over the last decade to feed the appetites for full-motion video and other sensor data to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. But more not enough attention has been given to how those assets are integrated and leveraged, asserts a new paper from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies. Unveiling Layering ISR Forces (caution, large-sized file) during a presentation on Monday in Arlington, Va., author Michael Isherwood said the future holds the prospect for a far broader range of operations spanning from low-intensity conflicts to countering high-end adversaries with advanced cyber capabilities and with no guarantee that the Air Force will rule the skies unchallenged. Accordingly, Isherwood called for the better integration and exploitation of a wide range of intelligence products—from human intelligence to signals and electronic intelligence. He also advocated finding new tools and organizational concepts to exploit the “layered” intelligence picture as a whole in a combat environment. Isherwood is a Northrop Grumman analyst and retired USAF colonel.
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.