Fall 2006 - Air & Space Power Chronicle - Air Force Link

QUICK-LOOK 39system should become a piece of the total solution,which in turn requires additional fundingfor the testing and integration of new sensordata into current operating pictures.Sensors designed and tested in an integratedenvironment will give the war fighter actionableunderstanding and information.We must also integrate sensors across theservices. The Air Force holds the high ground,but the Army provides the ground perspective,the Navy offers the sea-based picture, andthe Marines control the littoral terrain. Eachservice contributes unique capabilities andperspectives to urban understanding. To realizecross-service integration, the AFRL, underthe auspices of the Joint Urban OperationsOffice, should create a panel of scientists fromacross the service labs to facilitate informationexchange. This panel should coordinate annualconferences and promote collaborationamong the services.Think across the SpectrumThinking across the spectrum will require thelabs to look to the information spectrum andthe spectrum of conflict. Due to the complicatednature of the urban environment aswell as the density of information and theamount of obscuration and occlusion there,we must utilize all sensing modes (e.g., radiofrequency, hyperspectral, panchromatic, infrared,seismic, acoustic, and magnetic), combinedwith data fusion, in order to attain acomprehensive understanding of it. The AirForce must also look at hierarchical systemsthat combine the capabilities of high-flying,remote, complicated, and expensive sensorswith smaller, inexpensive networked sensorsthat use multiple spectrums.Additionally, the labs must formulate solutionsapplicable across the entire spectrum ofconflict. Most of the latest armed conflict inIraq concluded within the first three months;however, security and stability operations havecontinued for over three years. The Air Forcemust continue to contribute to operationsacross the spectrum of conflict, from majorcombat to humanitarian aid. A concrete proposalto encourage such thinking would requiretest programs to consider at least threescenarios: full combat, security and stabilityoperations, and humanitarian aid. By consideringsystems that operate across both the informationspectrum and the spectrum of conflict,the labs can provide our servicemen withcomplete capabilities for the multiple rolesthey need to perform.Think OperationallyThinking operationally will reinforce the importanceof complete, thorough, and realistictesting of systems with regard to current andfuture threats. Additionally, participation injoint exercises will ensure integration and informationexchange while providing the AFRLan important operational perspective.We must evaluate full-spectrum capabilitiesin the urban environment with realistic testscenarios that use the best possible view ofreal-world inputs and the best available predictionsof future conflicts/adversaries. Morerealistic testing will afford decision makerstrue understanding of the proposed system’scapabilities. Additionally, the Air Force mustbecome involved with joint urban trainingexercises to the maximum extent possible. Byidentifying deficiencies during these exercises,the participants can combine tactics,techniques, and procedures with technologyto develop new capabilities.ConclusionOur need for urban capabilities in aunique and challenging environment is veryreal. The recommendations presented herewill provide a structural foundation to promotethe development of such capabilitiesfor urban operators. q