Platforms for Persistent Communications, Surveillance and Reconnaissance

Studies of military operations indicate a need for improvements in persistent communications reconnaissance and surveillance CSR. The Army Science Board investigated capabilities of platforms deployed in space near space and lower altitudes and assessed tradeoffs among benefits weaknesses costs and logistics burdens associated with platform types. The study used a model to assess platform types versus relevant characteristics. Key findings include persistence is not well defined there are gaps in coverage communications relay capabilities are inadequate use of commercial space platforms for communications relay is very costly large aircraft e.g. KC-135 could be utilized for communications relay proponency for CSR platforms is distributed and many solutions are ad hoc no integrated mission Analysis of Alternatives AoA was found satellites are not sufficiently responsive to lower echelon commanders unmanned platforms are increasingly effective and accepted and Lighter than Air LTA platforms have great potential. Major recommendations include assign proponency for LTA to the Aviation Center retain proponency for High Altitude LTA platforms at SMDC accelerate Medium Altitude LTA untethered prototypes for joint CSR experiments invest to mature High Altitude LTA airship CSR platforms form LTA Integrated Product Team IPT of technologists material developers and combat developers conduct an integrated Analysis of Alternatives for CSR platforms mixes.