The new Integrated Intelligence Center (I2C) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) presents innovative ways to improve the user experience for operators of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and other multi-domain Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms using automation and user experience-based design (UX). And best of all, the system makes situational awareness more affordable for all involved, including intelligence analysts, mission supervisors, and decision makers.
“I2C will rapidly transform data into actionable intelligence for operators,” stated David R. Alexander, President, GA-ASI. “We see benefits to the warfighter on many fronts, including the reduction of operational cost – whether it’s Ground Ops, Air Ops, or Intel Ops. By combining XC2, Automatic Takeoff and Landing, Multi-Mission Control and our single-seat Certifiable Ground Control Station, we will reduce manning by 50 percent.”
GA-ASI’s modular and open software architecture design promotes horizontal integration of third party software and rapid integration of new capabilities making the following developments the ideal set of ISR tools for streamlined and improved collaboration. This extends to multi-INT data across multi-domain platforms:
• expeditionary Command & Control (XC2): XC2 laptop leverages GA-ASI’s Advanced Cockpit development by porting select capabilities to a ruggedised laptop. A forward-deployed maintainer can use the laptop to employ automated pre-flight and post-flight checklists that reduce setup times by up to 50 percent.
• Certifiable Ground Control Station(CGCS): The CGCS enables single-seat operations to reduce manpower requirements. Its tactical situation display unifies ISR and C4ISR data, as well as mission planning into a single Common Operating Picture (COP).
• Multi-Mission Controller (MMC): The MMC enables a single user to safely control multiple aircraft and perform transit and routine ISR missions using a hand controller. When an aircraft is tasked with performing more dynamic ISR or a strike mission, MMC allows a rapid handoff of the aircraft to a dedicated GCS.
• Metis: Metis is a map-based interface that enables a pre-approved Metis user to request ISR products from the RPA, similar to ordering a car from Uber. Once the Metis user sends a task, it’s transmitted to MMC in real time. The MMC user selects the task and an integrated third party auto-router automatically generates a safe route to the requested target.
• STARE: The System for Tactical Archival, Retrieval, and Exploitation’s (STARE) Common Operation Picture shows aircraft locations, as well as ISR assets and their payload data. The Multi-INT exploitation tool ingests, archives, disseminates and makes ISR data discoverable for imagery analysts to utilize. STARE reduces data exploitation tasks from hours to minutes.
• Automation of Intel Ops:I2Cintegrates third party capabilities and software services to make Intel analysts more effective. Automated Activity Alerts – based on Multi-INT data correlation – reduces the need for eyes-on RPA sensor data to pick out significant activity. GA-ASI is partnering with best-of-breed companies specialising in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning with proven AI-based systems deployed across multiple commercial sectors.
These tools and capabilities are either operationally deployed, undergoing customer operational assessment or are actively flying aircraft. I2Cis made to ingest ISR data from any airborne, ground, or space based system, not just GA-ASI aircraft.
Metis is a map-based interface that enables a pre-approved Metis user to request ISR products from the RPA
The System for Tactical Archival, Retrieval, and
Exploitation’s (STARE) Common Operation Picture shows aircraft locations, as well as ISR
assets and their payload data