Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance: Mission Command and Centralized Control
Abstract
The United States Army is organizing, training, and equipping its divisions with medium-altitude unmanned aerial systems (UAS). These platforms are entering the battlespace just as operations in Afghanistan may be winding down, and just as the Air Force is gaining the ability to generate sixty-five global combat air patrols with heavily armed MQ-9 Reapers. There is risk that as the Army begins to rely more on organic medium altitude capabilities, the joint force will forget important lessons learned, and that integration of organic and theater ISR capabilities will suffer. This monograph examines the utility of implementing the mission command philosophy in airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. This study begins by examining Helmuth Von Moltke's views on the exercise of disciplined initiative in battle. Brian Lawson's design problem model provides a framework for analyzing constraints as a source of friction. Confederate calvaryman J.E.B. Stuart's Gettysburg saga provides a vehicle for mission command analysis, given similarities between Civil War cavalry reconnaissance and modern airborne ISR operations. This monograph also highlights the experiences of World War I artillerymen and their pursuit of organic airborne reconnaissance support. The artillerymen echo current dialogue on UAS employment. This study concludes by assessing the impact of increased implementation of the mission command philosophy on theater airborne ISR effectiveness. Airborne; Intelligence; Surveillance; Reconnaissance; Mission command; Control; Moltke, Helmuth, Graf von, 1800-1891; Stuart, Jeb, 1833-1864; World War, 1914-1918; WWI; Lawson, Brian
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 10, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA608108
Entities
People
- Garry S. Floyd
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College