Edge ISR: Revolutionizing Intelligence in Contested Environments

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Edge ISR: Revolutionizing Intelligence in Contested Environments

            **AuthorRyan Blakeney
            **PublishedOTH Journal, April 2025
            **Link[othjournal.com ↗](https://othjournal.com/2025/04/25/edge-isr-revolutionizing-intelligence-in-contested-environments/)

ISR Edge Computing Contested Environments CCA AI Autonomous Systems Electromagnetic Spectrum
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Abstract

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations where the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) is no longer guaranteed must evolve to leverage emerging technologies and forward-deployed capabilities to maintain their competitive advantage in future conflicts. Traditional ISR concepts of operation, which rely on uncontested EMS dominance and rear-positioned reachback support, are no longer viable in peer-to-peer conflicts. Edge ISR breaks from traditional approaches to intelligence operations and emphasizes tasking, collection, and analysis in forward areas, which limits long communication lines and enables greater precision targeting.

The Current ISR Framework and Challenges

The current ISR doctrine assumes complete EMS dominance, which allows blue forces to deny adversaries access to the spectrum while maintaining uninterrupted communication with rear-echelon assets through reachback. In the last twenty years of counterinsurgency environments, blue forces have operated unchallenged with no concern for connectivity. However, in peer-to-peer conflicts, where EMS control is contested, reachback operations and Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED) activities become unreliable, creating significant intelligence gaps. A key challenge in the current framework is its dependence on centralized control. These limitations are particularly evident in two cornerstones of future Air Force operations initiatives — the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) and Agile Combat Employment. The Air Force’s expected reliance on the capabilities of ABMS underscores this vulnerability as senior military leaders intend to command and control assets across the battlespace through all domains. However, these technologies remain under development and have significant gaps in operational maturity. With historically slow acquisition rates, the Department of Defense and the Air Force cannot afford to wait until ABMS is ready before they determine how to make operational and tactical changes to ISR systems. Executing ACE in EMS-contested environments introduces additional complexities to ISR Operations as disaggregated organizations require longer lines of communication to transmit data for processing. ACE doctrine assumes forward-deployed units operate from austere locations closer to the adversary than to friendly main operating bases. Communication reachback is not guaranteed in ACE locations or at the edge of the battlespace, leading to a standard requirement between ACE and Edge ISR.

Defining Edge ISR

Edge ISR represents a paradigm shift in intelligence operations, integrating autonomous software, onboard processing, meshed datalinks, and new systems with evolved tactics. It empowers forward-deployed units to conduct intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination directly at the edge of the battlespace without relying on vulnerable communication links or centralized support. Imagine a forward line of troops equipped with backpack drones and RF antennae. These AI-powered drones autonomously fly and conduct reconnaissance, using computer vision to identify enemy targets without relying on vulnerable radio communications while reducing the chance of enemy signals intelligence detection. The system then transmits its findings directionally to reduce the probability of detection, revealing the troops’ position.

Transforming ISR: Embracing Technological Revolution

We are witnessing a military revolution driven by the global race for AI supremacy. China’s substantial investments in AI research and development indicate their intention to leverage existing and emerging technologies to strengthen their military forces through software advancements. Despite having a military budget of approximately half that of the United States, China’s investments and advancements in AI capabilities illustrate how AI can serve as a force multiplier when there is a disparity in funding between the nations. The United States Intelligence Community must prioritize developing and training self-tasking ISR missions that leverage advanced automation and AI-driven systems to prepare for future conflicts where mission assurance under EMI is not guaranteed.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft

Collaborative Combat Aircraft or loyal wingman-type systems present new opportunities for Edge ISR operations by providing attritable assets capable of operating in contested airspace while serving as sensors, onboard processing with automatic target recognition, communication gateways, and weapons platforms for target engagement. CCA can bridge gaps between isolated units and higher command structures as a communications relay by allowing continuous information flow in environments where traditional networks are contested. Their ability to operate autonomously makes the system indispensable for maintaining situational awareness and enabling coordinated operations in contested environments.

Conclusion

Edge ISR offers a critical pathway to overcome the current limitations of contested environments and maintain decision-making superiority by enabling decentralized intelligence gathering, autonomous analysis, and resilient communication. The United States Air Force must prioritize developing and implementing Edge ISR concepts to address the complex challenges of contested environments. The Department of Defense must advance decentralized ISR Frameworks by shifting from centralized models to decentralized ISR operations, empowering forward-deployed units to operate independently with minimal reliance on reachback support. They must also leverage emerging technologies and accelerate the integration of AI-driven systems and autonomous platforms to enhance real-time decision-making and improve resilience against electromagnetic spectrum denial. © 2026 Ryan Blakeney. Built by someone who actually gives a shit about this stuff.