1. AF ISR A Comprehensive Review
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AF ISR A Comprehensive Review
Good afternoon, it’s a real pleasure and a privilege to be here with you today to share some thoughts on how Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance is aligned to meet today’s 21st century operations…
Lt Gen Larry James
Deputy Chief of Staff, ISR
Overall Briefing Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
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2. Holistic Review from a Capability Perspective
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Purpose
Baseline review the AF ISR Enterprise to include all capabilities that
contribute to ISR missions, regardless of the programming portfolio
- Information architecture
- Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED)
- Sensors
- Platforms
- Personnel
Holistic Review from a Capability Perspective
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3. SECAF Task Direction
Context for Review: absence of objectively determined joint requirements for ISR; unconstrained requests for additional MQ-1/9 CAPs that are unsustainable; and independently sponsored ISR R&D projects driven by JUON and availability of OCO funding
Within this context: AF must balance currently growing capabilities with the reality of significant resource limitations ahead
Demonstrate:
How and where ISR capabilities have grown over time;
Current and programmed level of effort in growing the ISR enterprise, including personnel, training, communications, and infrastructure;
Commitment to sustaining capabilities to meet future needs;
Balance between the MQ-1/9 force and other assets, including more advanced capabilities, in a future security environment that is more non-permissive and resource constrained;
Rationale and recommendations for prioritizing multiple ISR and demo programs now underway

4. A View of the Future: The 2030 AF ISR Enterprise
Seamless, open-architecture, all-domain, sensor-agnostic, “go-to” information source integrated with AF C2 architectures
Able to characterize any target set (Air, space, cyber, or terrestrial) as a “network” to enable effects-based targeting and assessment
Capability to persistently access target sets by necessary means
Ability to collaboratively plan all-domain ISR ops as a single entity
Demands trained/equipped analysts with critical thinking skills
Needs secure, reliable, sufficient information pathways
Fully integrated operations in a networked world
Operators and Intel professionals working as a fused team in all domains
Must improve the way we think, train, and operate
Success in war depends on superior information…ISR underpins
every mission the DoD executes

5. BLUF AF ISR well-postured to operate in permissive environments
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BLUF
AF ISR well-postured to operate in permissive environments
Sufficient airborne ISR capability in the near term
Growing to 65 CAPs on schedule
We will consolidate recent gains and continue to improve
Continuously evaluating airborne fleet (RJ, U-2, Global Hawk, etc.)
Evaluating ability to operate across the spectrum of ops to include A2AD
Need persistent access to characterize areas of interest
Need ability to move information securely and reliably
Must be able to PED the information on required timelines
Must continue to improve analyst tools
Need enhanced open-architecture, machine-to-machine processes
Better integrate non-traditional ISR sources into existing construct
Capability, Planning and Analysis feeds all Core Function Master Plans
Need improved acquisition to field capabilities on required pace
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6. UNCLASSIIFIED
Strategic Guidance
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7. AF Role for the Nation “The Nation’s principle air and space force…”
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AF Role for the Nation
“The Nation’s principle air and space force…”
“Conduct offensive and defensive ops…to gain and maintain air superiority, air supremacy, as required…to enable conduct of U.S. and allied land, sea, air, space, and special operations”
“Conduct global precision attack, to include strategic attack…prompt global strike…global personnel recovery”
“Provide rapid global mobility…agile combat support…integrated C2”
“Provide timely, global integrated ISR…to support worldwide ops”
DODD , Functions of the Department of Defense and
Its Major Components, SECDEF, Dec 21, 2010
“The Joint Force will be able to counter highly capable adversaries. The Navy and Air Force will provide the primary level of effort during such a contingency
Defense Planning Guidance, 29 Aug 11
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8. UNCLASSIIFIED
Findings
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9. UNCLASSIIFIED
Findings
AF well postured to conduct permissive environment ISR operations
AF will continuously improve the current ISR capabilities to consolidate gains
Growth to 65 MQ-1/9 CAPs on track
AF ISR expected to operate across the spectrum of ops, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief through major conflict
Robust, reliable, secure information architectures and communications enable all operations
Ability to process, exploit, and disseminate information on ever-shorter timelines requires focused effort
Analyst training and improved tool suites will always be a requirement
Will continue to analyze sensor/platform/PED mix required to balance full-spectrum capabilities, especially all-domain A2AD operations
C2 of ISR must be integrated with other C2 architectures to provide maximum return on investment
Demand for AF ISR is increasing around the world—requires prioritization
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10. UNCLASSIIFIED
Key Insights
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11. Key Insights Information Architecture PED Platforms/sensors mix C2
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Key Insights
Information Architecture
PED
Platforms/sensors mix C2
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12. Information Architecture Insights
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Information Architecture
Insights
AF needs to determine sufficiency of current global information architecture
Large data rates, high-definition sensors, increased users and rising expectations are combining to tax information pathways
Future threats may further exacerbate limitations
AF needs to partner with many users to maximize agility and flexibility
Separate domain capabilities need review to understand a way ahead to integrate capabilities
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13. UNCLASSIIFIED
PED
Insights
AF is the only service providing “Joint” PED and there is some external expectation that the AF contribution will increase
AF needs to develop future PED capability holistically to account for all-domain requirements and leverage all-domain capabilities
Need to refine global demand from COCOMs
Must recognize and account for space/cyber requirements and contributions
Non-traditional ISR will provide more information than ever but we must improve information transfer mechanisms
Information architectures need to account for and integrate PED requirements
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14. Platform/Sensor Mix Insights
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Platform/Sensor Mix
Insights
AF needs to characterize the full spectrum of potential targets, in all domains
Air
Mix of manned and unmanned platforms still required
Non-traditional ISR has significant potential
Airborne capability needs to be considered as just one part of “all- domain” solutions
A2AD capability needs to be a key part of AF focus
Space
Space Situational Awareness is more than Missile Warning and object collision avoidance
PED architecture needs to integrate with existing capability
Multi-domain tipping and cueing is a game changer
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15. Platform/Sensor Mix Insights Cyberspace
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Platform/Sensor Mix
Insights
Cyberspace
Like Space, PED architecture needs to integrate with existing other domain capability
Policy development, with respect to multi-level security to enable coordination and collaboration, needs focus
Cyberspace offers significant opportunity to enable military operations, if considered in context
Persistent ISR is as applicable to cyberspace as it is to other domains
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16. UNCLASSIIFIED C2
Insights
C2 needs to be developed holistically and should be consistent across domains
C2 must consider an entire capability and not be tied to individual platforms
Improves consistency
Non-traditional ISR needs to be “normalized”
C2 of airborne PED resources needs to be based on information and product development requirements vice tied to platform apportionment
C2 of PED for Space and Cyberspace information needs to be considered as part of the overall “PED solution”
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17. UNCLASSIIFIED
Recommendations
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18. Information Architecture Recommendations
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Information Architecture
Recommendations
We need to review and understand long-term information requirements
All domains
All operating environments
Invest to improve global operations capability
Need to better understand key information we “must move” from sensors/platforms vice what we “want to move”
On-board processing will expand decision space by providing more options
Must consider integrated, multi-domain solutions, to include ground infrastructure
Need to improve availability, security, capacity
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19. UNCLASSIIFIED C2
Recommendations
Develop solutions considering all-domain PED requirements
Mandate enforceable standards for information pathways and PED analytic tools during sensor/platform development and acquisition
Improve PED apportionment by designing a model based on consumer information requirements
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20. PED Recommendations Improve automated tools
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PED
Recommendations
Improve automated tools
Rapid database search, fusion, dissemination
Enable fusion of multi-domain source information
Machine-to-machine interfaces
Improve multi-level security integration
Continue DCGS migration to Service Oriented Architecture (DI2E)
Tie to appropriate C2 nodes and databases
Demonstrate future architectures through QRC’s and spiral upgrades
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21. Platform/Sensor Mix Recommendations
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Platform/Sensor Mix
Recommendations
Develop persistent, survivable platforms/sensors for all domains
Ensure integrated and synchronized development of information pathways and PED capability with platform/sensor development
Air
Normalize non-traditional ISR
Consider survivable platforms for A2AD
Develop capability to reliably pass information in high threat environments
Need sensors to characterize, find, fix and track targets in all operating areas then assess effects
Space/Cyber
Recognize space/cyberspace as contested and develop capability to ensure continued operations during crises/conflict
Integrate solutions with air, cyber, and terrestrial architectures
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22. SECAF Directed Tasks UNCLASSIIFIED Pri Task Description OPR OCR 1
Conduct Information Architecture Analysis to frame AF discussions on information architecture of the future
AFSPC
MAJCOMs, AF A2, A3/5, A4/7, A6, A8, A9 2
Develop/acquire framework tools to enable capability-based planning and analysis (CP&A) of AF ISR Enterprise platform/sensor/PED requirements to feed Core Function Master Plans
AF/A2
ACC, AFSOC, AFMC, AFSPC AF A5, A6, 3
Develop roadmap for ISR automated tools and analyst visualization tools
ACC, AFSOC, AFMC, AFSPC 4
Develop DCGS roadmap with specific measures required to implement Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and ability to synergize PED for all air, space, and cyber platforms/sensors
ACC, AFMC, AFSPC, AFSOC, AF A5, A6 5
Develop AF Targeting Roadmap to outline requirements to satisfy target folder development support to warfighters, including space and cyberspace target sets
ACC
AFMC, AFSPC, USAFE, PACAF, AFSOC 6
Develop NTISR roadmap to include platform/sensor mix, communication pathways requirements, CONOPs development, & personnel training requirements
AFMC, AFSPC, AFSOC, AF A2, A5, A6, A8, A9 7
Develop PED apportionment model and associated roadmap that models manpower based on air, space, and cyberspace fused information requirements, not apportioned platforms
ACC, AFMC, AFSPC, AFSOC
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23. Prioritized Investment
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Prioritized Investment
Global Architecture for ISR Operations
Robust, survivable, secure pathways for manned, unmanned, air, space, and cyberspace capabilities
Sufficient to meet global mission demand
Robust tools to improve PED capacity, capability and C2
Linked across all domains and C2 architectures
Capability to access A2AD environments with persistence
Continue to improve, refine and leverage investment in legacy ISR capabilities, e.g. MQ-1/9
Improve current sensors for new operating environments
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24. UNCLASSIIFIED
Questions
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25. AF ISR A Comprehensive Review
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AF ISR A Comprehensive Review
Good afternoon, it’s a real pleasure and a privilege to be here with you today to share some thoughts on how Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance is aligned to meet today’s 21st century operations…
Lt Gen Larry James
Deputy Chief of Staff, ISR
Overall Briefing Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIIFIED