TABLE OF CONTENTS

warfare), and without regard to the normal dividing lines between America’s separate
military service departments. Initially, this will provide friendly forces a great
advantage. However, it is only a matter of time before this capability becomes widely
available. Though not discussed in the paper, such an asset in the hands of Red forces
will force the U.S. to fight in a much more transparent environment that we would
prefer.
Recommendations: 1) The USAF should lead a joint acquisition and development
effort to keep the U.S. at the forefront of exploiting future X-MAV capabilities. 2) The
USAF should concentrate its R&D on basic research, remain engaged with the
commercial sector during development, and pursue military-specific applications as the
technology reaches maturity. 3) Leaders must start thinking in broader, more innovative
terms about the proper roles and missions for X-MAVs and other small UAVs. 4) Policy
makers within DoD must determine who has the authority and responsibility to mandate
standards, procedures, and practices concerning multi-level security from various sources
and sensors. 5) DoD needs to establish a joint program office to develop automated
decision systems to aid in the exploitation, fusion, and evaluation of multiple intelligence
data provided by X-MAVs.
Nanotechnology Applications for ISR: The Solution to the Intelligence Gap?
Morgan D. Mackey, Major, USAF
To remain viable in the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
arena by 2030, the United States (U.S.) must actively incorporate nanotechnology
advances into ISR sensing capabilities. As several countries continue their efforts to
close the technology gap, today it is more important than ever for the U.S. to be the
world’s nanotechnology leader. Current development trends reveal a continuing march