USAF Devises New Reconnaissance Plan

Aviation Week & Space Technology 09/20/04
author: Robert Wall
author: David A. Fulghum

Under Scrutiny
A new concept of operations for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) for the U.S. Air Force is being crafted, a document that could alter the service's future spending in this field.

Researchers already have their eyes on new missions, with developers of the X-45 unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) having set their sights on penetrating reconnaissance. But top USAF officials were noticeably noncommittal about UCAV plans at last week's Air Force Assn. symposium.

The ISR concept of operations may help clarify the service's actual interest. The study's goal is to better define the service's needs with an eye to unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, as well as armed Hunter-Killer UAVs, says Air Combat Command chief Gen. Hal Hornburg. But it will also include manned aircraft and satellites. USAF leaders hope it will identify areas where the service's needs are met by existing systems and those where capability voids remain. Although not intended to spell out specific requirements for a new system, the findings could lead to future projects, Hornburg points out.

The assessment is expected to take around six more months and will also address space-based systems. In fact, ISR has already been addressed in a command and control concept of operations that was led by Air Force Space Command, but it was seen by some in the service as relying too heavily on spacecraft, leading in part to the reassessment. The service's space community will continue to work with Air Combat Command to devise the new plan, says Gen. Lance Lord, commander of Air Force Space Command.

But the Air Force also is moving into a new area for surveillance, the so-called "near-space" environment that stretches from 65,000 ft. to about 350,000 ft. USAF views the battlespace as a location to orbit lighter-than-air ships that could stay on-station for long periods, Lord says. The area bridges the fiefdoms controlled by Air Combat Command and Space Command, but the latter has been given the lead role. Lord says demonstrations are being planned. Among them would be an Air Force Near-Space Maneuvering Vehicle concept.
...
However, the Air Force and Navy have yet to decide what they actually want for their long-term UCAV requirements.

This should be an interesting shift in the CONOPS for UCAV type vehicles, but it is obvious the Air Force doesn't know how to use these things to full effectiveness yet. Still they are really cool technologies. These things fly fully autonomously, and have hunter-seeker capabilities. Watch out bad guys...