In the past 20 years, ISR has become the mainstay of surveillance operations across the globe for both military and civilian operations. ISR technology has advanced to a whole new level, enabling operatives, particularly airborne units, to carry out more complex missions in challenging situations.
In this article, we’ll look at what ISR technology is and the advancements that have made it possible for operators to refine their data-gathering, surveillance and intelligence operations. We’ll take a look at the new software on offer and how it can be integrated into air, sea and land-based missions. We’ll also introduce you to the FlySight OPENSIGHT Mission Console solution and examine the future of ISTR technology and how ISR missions are being supported.
What is ISR?
ISR stands for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance – the three key elements to mission success. Its primary focus is intelligence gathering. This enables operators to gather mission-critical information and reconnaissance, particularly in fast-moving, fluid situations. It also improves situational awareness for operations teams in the air, on the ground, or at sea. Ultimately, ISR forms the foundation of a mission plan and can influence the decision-making process.
The three components of ISR are:
Intelligence – the collection, processing and analysis of information which then forms part of the mission parameters.
Surveillance – Ongoing monitoring of areas, targets and individuals to add to the intelligence dataset. Surveillance can be used at the start of an operation or during a more immediate, fluid situation, such as crowd control.
Reconnaissance – Longer-term monitoring that concentrates on assessment and monitoring an area, especially a hostile location, border or combat zone.
By combining the three elements, ISR missions provide comprehensive and accurate information, a greater understanding of potential threats, and better situational awareness for both airborne and ground-based operatives.
An additional component is found in ISTR, and that’s target acquisition. ISTR expands the concept of ISR to include this key element and is particularly relevant to military operations. ISTR technology, such as drones, can then be deployed to neutralise a target or stop potential threats.
ISR technology – improving the quality of data-gathering
Visual data is the most readily available information that can be collated during an ISR operation. However, rather than simply relying on standard photo and video data packets, modern ISR technology allows operating teams to carry out surveillance in low visibility conditions by using multi-spectral cameras and overlaying additional relevant data through Enhanced Reality programs.
The big advantage of modern ISR technology is that it’s easily compatible with existing systems, making it quick and easy to ‘plug and play’ a comprehensive surveillance system into operating hardware. The intuitive nature of these solutions also makes training personnel in their use faster and more cost-effective.
This means powerful ISR solutions can be integrated almost instantly into airborne, land and sea-based platforms. Their compact size is also a key advantage, as is the ability to link them with other data-gathering devices such as drones (either free flying or tethered).
Turnkey solutions for improving visual surveillance
FlySight’s OPENSIGHT Mission Console represents one of the latest advancement in ISR mission software. A multi-platform system containing a variety of video processing algorithms can ‘clean up’ images so more relevant data can be gathered and fusion them.
For example, one of the biggest issues facing maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions is the weather. A fog bank can obscure an aerial platform’s ability to scan the location. With OPENSIGHT, adding a fog suppression solution to the toolbox means that this problem can be negated, providing analysts with clear data that isn’t obscured by low light levels or poor visibility.
Other solutions, such as dehazing, can further clarify data, while the overlay of Enhanced Reality levels that provide additional relevant information to the user gives a more rounded, complete and comprehensive overview of the terrain and the target.
For maritime users, identifying a threat can be more challenging. To help users classify small craft, for example, a mission console can include Automatic Target Detection and classification. This is performed by Artificial Intelligence networks specialised for maritime and airborne threats, and pre-programmed with the latest parameters to help identify potential targets from airborne platforms such as helicopters.
Not only is this useful in patrolling international borders and identifying craft used in smuggling, for example, but it can also be used to help identify a vessel during a SAR operation. The flexibility of mission consoles means that they can be quickly adapted to suit the specific mission requirements in seconds and using technology that the operator is already familiar with.
A customisable solution
Modern consoles such as OPENSIGHT also benefit from the inclusion of Open Code features that allow the toolbox to be easily integrated and tailored to specific needs or preferences.
When creating a mission console, the user can specify what functionality they want, whether it’s for reconnaissance, surveillance or intelligence-gathering operations. A mission console works by addressing four key areas of any mission:
Integration – Integrating the OPENSIGHT mission console with other ISR mission planning tools and sensors so that operators and analysts get a ‘joined-up’ picture with relevant information and non-relevant data filtered out.
Planning – Geomapping, augmented reality, and 3D moving maps can all help with ISR mission execution. The use of multi-layered data sets provides context for the surveilled information. It can provide key elements of a location at a glance, including addresses and known occupants in an urban environment or regular shipping routes in a maritime setting. It also gives the pilot of an aerial platform or the captain of an ocean-going platform a greater understanding of their geological area and their position within it. This is particularly relevant in a maritime setting where borders between borders can be surprisingly difficult to determine without careful analysis of the most current data and charts.
Gathering information – Data collection includes target recognition and other specialist analysis such as an appraisal of the environment using advanced sensors. If a maritime operation is tracing a deliberate pollution incident (such as illegal tank flushing), additional environmental information may help track the source through the use of tidal charts and underwater topography.
Information sharing and collaboration – Once all this information has been collated, it can then be shared through a system such as OPENSIGHT by teams and systems before, during and after an ISR mission, contributing to a successful mission execution.
The future of ISR technology
The hardware already exists to provide surveillance, intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance teams with a solid operational structure. Where ISR technology will advance in the coming years will be through the use of integrated software, in particular AI and Enhanced Reality. AI is instrumental in information dissemination and analysis, while Enhanced or Augmented Reality can continue to provide layers of relevant information in real-time.
At the forefront of these advancements, FlySight’s OPENSIGHT Mission Console is leading the way, continually developing advanced and tailored solutions for a wide range of clients. From border control to ocean-based smuggling operations, combat zones (both on land and at sea) to Search & Rescue, ISR missions are aided by using the most advanced technological developments.
To find out more about OPENSIGHT Mission Console, watch our informative OPENSIGHT video, or browse our demos, including a full Mission Console demo and an ERS with AIS demo.
Alternatively, you can contact us direct and talk to one of our team in total confidence to discuss your specific needs today.
