Observations in allocation and tasking of Joint level Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems in support of Coalition

Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems provide key capabilities to the Joint Forces/Combined Joint Task Force Commander (JFC/CJTF) for intelligence collection and battle management. ISR systems cover the full range of joint operations, supporting multiple commanders simultaneously with planned and dynamic collection and exploitation requirements. Because ISR systems are limited in numbers, collection requirements often exceed the available capability. The management of ISR systems and the data, information and intelligence they provide is a high priority for the commander. The challenge then, is to efficiently allocate and task nationally owned ISR systems within a coalition environment in accordance with the supported commander’s requirements. The Coalition Aerial Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CAESAR) project is providing interoperable solutions to these problems based upon an integrated system of nationally owned and operated ISR systems. This paper addresses issues regarding the planned and dynamic tasking of ISR systems in a coalition. The paper further illustrates procedural solutions that have been developed and implemented by NC3A and CAESAR as well as options for transition into operational NATO Commands, thereby improving the efficiency of both pre-planned and dynamic collection tasking for ISR systems.