Understanding the Critical Role of Manned A-ISR Assets in Enhancing Army Programs for Superior Global Intelligence and All-Domain Agility

Manned airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (A-ISR) assets, such as SNC's RAPCON-X^™ aircraft, play a critical role in global intelligence missions. While space-based ISR capabilities are evolving, it is crucial to understand the value of existing A-ISR and how the two can work in tandem to provide all-domain agility.

A-ISR assets are pivotal in the kill chain against near-peer adversaries, delivering essential information for decision-makers at every level. The urgency of today's conflicts demands immediate and effective solutions. Military services are enhancing their ISR support across all Combatant Command (COCOM) missions, underscoring the irreplaceable value of A-ISR and its complementary role alongside space-based assets.

SNC is well known across Department of Defense (DOD) for successful contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) operations, including aircraft, pilot, flight and maintenance operations, and logistics support. Its RAPCON-X Bombardier Global 6500 jet is rapidly configurable, meaning it’s swiftly adapted to specific recon missions by quickly switching out on-board equipment to match tactical needs – particularly for higher altitudes and longer endurance.

As the lead systems integrator for several new Army A-ISR capabilities, SNC has designed its aircraft solution to operate at altitudes exceeding 45,000 feet. This altitude facilitates superior threat visibility and deeper sensing into denied areas than ever before.

"Through deep sensing with our AE-4500 ESM, we are uncovering previously unknown adversarial behaviors and tactics," said Tim Harper, vice president of business development. “Add to that the ability to continuously gather data over a 14-hour period and this A-ISR capability is truly groundbreaking.”

The company’s RAPCON-X solution for COCO operations and key A-ISR programs delivers critical advancements in intelligence gathering and tasking by eliminating the requirement to reposition satellites to confirm previously undetected threats.

These manned A-ISR assets incorporate AI/ML features for tasks such as pattern-of-life analysis, leveraging a sophisticated lakehouse of data from multiple domains, including space. They are also immediately re-taskable, weather-independent, and offer self-contained solutions with rapid battlefield connectivity through SNC TRAX^® software.

Operating at altitudes that allow a stand-off range of approximately 400 kilometers, A-ISR aircraft enhance survivability by remaining beyond adversarial reach. Additionally, they can be deployed anywhere in the world within 24 hours’ notice. The RAPCON-X aircraft can also operate in GPS-denied environments, surpassing the limitations of satellites or other unmanned assets. While satellites provide coverage every 90 minutes or more, RAPCON-X delivers persistent, real-time ISR data for up to 14 hours in designated areas of interest, with dynamic tasking capabilities and versatile data dissemination options. When systems are jammed or down, manned ISR becomes critical.

Currently operational, manned A-ISR solutions are cost effective, advancing capabilities while reducing crew requirements without eliminating them. These aircraft can swiftly modernize and adapt to emerging threats, with mission crew dependencies reduced to as few as zero to four operators, ensuring flexibility.

"For example, if there is a crisis in Africa today, these aircraft allow us to respond as quickly as tomorrow. Configuring, launching, tracking and processing a satellite would take weeks or months," said Harper.

By joining the strengths of both space-based and manned A-ISR assets, the U.S. military can secure comprehensive and adaptable intelligence capabilities that are indispensable for modern warfare.