US Approaches to Improving C4ISR

When it comes to Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance or what is commonly called as C4ISR; the United States of America has taken the necessary steps to embrace innovation to ensure national security and stability. The latest initiatives of the military forces of the United States of America are focused on the use of UAVs or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and UAS or Unmanned Aircraft Systems for ISR or Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions. The US Military Forces including the Army, Navy and Air Force are all focused at acquiring, enhancing and deploying UAVs and UAS to improve C4ISR these days.
The US Army has recently gained a contract worth millions to AeroVironment to supply Puma small UAS for US Forces in Afghanistan. The said unmanned aircraft systems are expected to be delivered by next month or May. The Puma has ISR capabilities which prove to be useful for tactical units in Afghanistan. On the other hand, the US Navy is looking into employing small UAVs to track down enemies and send the information via a control center which would in turn redirect the cruise missiles. Newer versions of cruise missiles will be capable to handle such directives from the control center. Finally, the US Air Force is looking into upgrading its current Reaper MQ-9 fleet to extend its flight time from 27 to 42 hours. It is a timely initiative considering the budget constraints prove to limit the Air Force's capability to add more UAV s at this point.
In addition, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency or DARPA is looking at minimizing its reliance on satellites for guiding weapons and arms such as missiles and advanced munitions. However, they are looking into adding navigation chips on smart weapons to position, target and navigate them. The integration of navigation sensor chips and other applications may prove to be more advantageous for military purposes. They are easier to design, create, install, utilize and perhaps more cost-effective than other measures which are presently used by the US military.
The high cost of creating, launching and maintaining a satellite has proven to be an important consideration in looking into other sources or options to complete military functions or initiatives. With budget cuts and reduced spending directives, the US military has to check further into improving C4 and ISR capabilities which are innovative, cost-effective but highly efficient. These improvements should be competitive enough compared to other major and ruling countries considering that the US Military Force do no

t provide defense to its country alone but to all other nations that has become its allies.