Accession Number:

ADA463564

Title:

Lowering the High Ground: Using Near-Space Vehicles for Persistent C3ISR

Descriptive Note:

Research paper

Corporate Author:

AIR WAR COLL MAXWELL AFB AL CENTER FOR STRATEGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Personal Author(s):

• Knoedler, Andrew J.

Report Date:

2005-11-01

Pagination or Media Count:

33.0

Abstract:

Department of Defense DOD, military service, and industry leaders have focused on increasing command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance C3ISR persistence. As of today, the air and space platforms do not provide persistent C3ISR. Platforms exploiting near space will be part of an integrated solution to increase persistent C3ISR. This paper covers the capabilities and limitations of current C3ISR platforms supporting battlespace awareness. After identifying the deficiencies, the essay then explores the various platform and payload combinations that can reach the near space altitudes of 20 to 150 kilometers km. Finally, the paper concludes with a comparison of capabilities and concepts of operations CONOPS for several near-space vehicle NSV constellations.

Descriptors:

• *HIGH ALTITUDE
• *AIRSHIPS
• COMMAND CONTROL COMMUNICATIONS
• SURVEILLANCE
• SENSOR FUSION
• MULTISENSORS
• RECONNAISSANCE
• INTELLIGENCE

Subject Categories:

• Military Aircraft Operations
• Lighter-than-air Aircraft
• Miscellaneous Detection and Detectors
• Target Direction, Range and Position Finding

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE