ISR Needs Put Fighters in Surveillance Role

Aviation Week And Space Technology ^ | 2*/1/2011 | Angus Batey

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The same argument has been used to benefit defense by bringing the RAF imagery analysts from [39 Sqdn., operators of the Reaper, and 5 AC (Army Cooperation) Sqdn., which flies the Sentinel R1 Airborne Stand-Off Radar system] into TIW,” Stewart says. “So we have that umbrella organization that can provide far better output and support to operations and the development of capabilities.”

The RAF’s operations go beyond fighters and are part of a service-wide focus on combat intelligence, surveillance, targeting and reconnaissance (Combat IStar). Since his appointment in July 2009, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton has made refocusing the RAF’s role around Combat IStar a priority.

Some operations rely on teaming between different platforms. RAF Sentinel R1 aircraft have flown missions to check the deserts of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province for signs of bomb-making activity in the company of a Reaper UAV and a pair of helicopters. When the Sentinel radar detects tracks of interest on the ground, the Reaper’s visual sensors are cross-cued, and if necessary, the helicopters can deploy troops to investigate. The abnormality often proves benign, but the approach has achieved substantial results.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Its a F-15 story

[Yo-Yo]

With the exception of Singapore and S. Korea, the F-15E (and derivatives) is a much under appreciated airframe.

The only think missing is for Boeing to do the same to the F-15E that they did to the F/A-18F, and that is to make an Electronic Warfare version. Call it the F-15F Jam Eagle.