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Army investigates new long-range launch effects for forward air surveillance
In a recent announcement at the U.S. Army Aviation Association's annual conference, Andrew Evans, director of the Army's Intelligence and Surveillance Task Force (ISR), unveiled ambitious plans to significantly expand the Army's surveillance capabilities using ultra-long-range launched effects. These systems could operate beyond the horizon, extending the Army's operational range up to a thousand miles beyond the launch vehicle.
The U.S. Army is already developing launch platforms for short, medium and long distances from both ground and air. However, the new focus on ultra-long-launched effects represents a quantum leap in the way intelligence and surveillance operations are conceived. According to Evans, this development could translate into "game-changing capabilities," enabling the deployment of surveillance drones from "mother ships" at high altitudes, capable of operating discreetly in deeply hostile areas.
By 2026, the ISR Task Force plans to conduct a demonstration with commercial aircraft that will deploy these long-range effects. The intention is to leverage the advances already made by industry, coordinating with the right industrial partners to build a robust ecosystem around this technology.
In addition to developing the glider body and propulsion vehicle, the Army plans to integrate advanced sensing capabilities and focus on "backhauling" or transmitting data from the platform to relevant command and control interfaces. Lawrence Mixon, special assistant to the Program Executive Officer for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, stressed that sensitivity and data transmission are not trivial issues. Current efforts include collaborations with industry to establish data standards to facilitate this part of the process, as well as integration with next-generation command and control systems to ensure that the information collected reaches decision makers efficiently.
This innovative approach will not involve the use of the Army's new high-speed spy jet, known as HADES (High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System), but will inform other work the ISR Task Force is involved in. With an operational capability demonstration scheduled for FY 2026, the Army is looking to not only advance its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, but also how these capabilities can be integrated and support tactical and strategic operations in the future.
In a context of growing global insecurity, the U.S. force projection capability faces unprecedented challenges even before it leaves its own ports. This is indicated by a recent development in defense systems that is in the prototyping phase, known as HADES. This system promises to transform penetration and reconnaissance capabilities into enemy territory through a platform that uses "long-range effects" for a deep and sustained incursion.
According to statements by Evans, a senior military intelligence official (name changed to represent the source), the threat to force projection operations is so significant that "we may not be able to get out of a U.S. port without facing some kind of threat." This scenario forces intelligence professionals to look for innovative solutions to ensure that detection and preemption capabilities are up to today's challenges. Evans stresses the importance of understanding where and how these forces will be projected and the type of confrontation anticipated.
In this sense, HADES and other developments in Multidomain Detection Systems play a crucial role. They allow a "self-projection" of forces, essential to maintain operational effectiveness even in the most adverse situations. The commitment to ultra-long-range effects is not only a defensive measure, but a proactive strategy that seeks to ensure tactical and strategic superiority in future engagements.
The development of HADES is still in the early stages, but its potential to alter power and engagement dynamics is considerable. These types of technologies reflect a shift in military doctrine where anticipation and long-range capabilities become critical components of national defense. As threats evolve, so does the response, underscoring the interdependence between technology, intelligence and military strategy in the 21st century.
