Gunsmoke-J experimental satellite, Army image
WASHINGTON: The Army is negotiating with the Intelligence Community and Space Force about ensuring operational control of any future Army-built ISR payloads hosted on DoD, IC and/or commercial satellites, says Willie Nelson, the de facto head of Army space programs.
“This is a watershed,” said Doug Loverro, former head of DoD space policy and a long-time player in space intelligence operations. “It represents the increased importance of tactical overhead support to Army forces for long range fires.”
Why? If the service wins even a modicum of control over where future IC ISR birds are ‘pointed’ a prerogative the IC traditionally has zealously guarded it would represent a major break with the past.
Motherships: The Air Force Wants Its Cargo Planes to Be Drone Carriers
In the near-future, C-130 or C-17 cargo planes could carry drones into battle and get recover and refueld and rearm them.
Many weapons developers think of Air Force cargo planes such as C-17s and C-130 as primarily transport platforms able to deliver supplies, weapons and forces engaged in forward positioned combat operations. However, the service is increasingly considering also using these kinds of aircraft for actual attacks instead of just cargo transport.
There have been several interesting innovations, now at various stages of development, including efforts to arm cargo planes with bombs and operate them as aerial drone “motherships” able to launch and recover drones in high-threat combat circumstances.
Air Force Cargo, Tanker Planes Need to Do More in Next War: Van Ovost businessinsider.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from businessinsider.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.