In Pursuit of 21st Century Distributed Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations

Abstract

The attached visual illustrates the impressive nature of Americas 21st Century globally networked Joint Force. From bases in the United States, Airmen fly MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper and RQ-4 Global Hawk Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) over hostile battlefields in distant lands. The platforms collect vast quantities of information that are streamed back to Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) intelligence centers located around the world. DCGS Airmen identify threats and relay vital information back to supported units on the battlefield. Viewers often reasonably conclude that this array of sensors, aircraft, communications links and intelligence centers seamlessly operate as a collective team, perhaps akin to a crew on an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) or E-8C Joint Surveillance Attack Radar System (JSTARS).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 16, 2011
Accession Number
AD1018712

Entities

People

  • Michael L. Downs

Organizations

  • Air War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Airborne Warning And Control System
  • Aircrafts
  • Control Systems
  • Employment
  • Ground Control Stations
  • Intelligence Surveillance And Reconnaissance
  • National Security
  • Public Administration
  • Reconnaissance
  • Social Media
  • Students
  • Surveillance
  • United States
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Geospatial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence Analytics
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies