Both Congress and DOD face important decisions regarding the current and
future mix of U.S. airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
capabilities. An overarching line of inquiry is: Over the next 20 to 30
years, what mix of existing and planned manned and unmanned ISR aircraft can
most effectively satisfy DOD’s requirement for timely and accurate
information on enemy forces? An important immediate issue to be resolved is
how to best introduce Global Hawk platforms into the U.S. ISR inventory and
at what pace, relative to planned or unplanned U-2 attrition. Key concerns
are whether manned aircraft can be completely replaced by UAVs, the time
that it will take to integrate the Global Hawks into the operating force
structure, and the availability of adequate funds to support the acquisition
of Global Hawks without compromising vital operational capabilities for an
extended period.
