Capturing the Essential Factors in Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force Sizing and Mix

Publication Date: January 1998

Publisher: RAND Corporation

Author(s): Keith Henry; Joel Kvitky; David Vaughan; Mark Gabriele

Research Area: Military and defense

Type: Brief

Abstract:

This documented briefing describes an approach to reconnaissance and surveillance force sizing that is attuned to technology advances in communications, platforms/sensors/processing, and concepts of operations that exploit the synergy from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) fusion. The Reconnaissance and Surveillance Allocation Model (RSAM), driven by a target attack sequence, can capture the effects of ISR fusion and platform/sensor tradeoffs in an overall campaign context. Notional results for ISR force sizing and mix illustrate the importance of intelligence preparation of the battlefield, sensor fusion, defense drawdown, and basing and other factors in the context of a campaign with phased objectives. The methodology integrates data from air, space, and ground with concepts of operations tailored to exploit today's advances in technology. ISR force effectiveness must be measured in the context of realistic campaigns, including the numbers and types of targets.