Non-traditional Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance technologies are designed to respond to an increased need for accurate, real-time intel in today's counter-insurgency campaigns. Currently, commanders in the field are working in an operational vacuum. While dedicated airborne ISR solutions are capable of providing a very high level of intelligence detail, they're deployment is restricted by cost and clearance classifications. Defence IQ's Samantha Tanner speaks with John Mahaffey who serves as the Senior Scientist for Capability Area Team - 5: Joint ISR NATO C3 Agency. They touch on everything from Internet protocol based technologies and communications to expanding network enabled capabilities. Commanders - here, end users - have the ability to effectively use these to their own ends in their counter-insurgency (COIN) missions. However, its use in the field requires further development of 3 key aspects: technology, processes and people. Without investment in these areas, NTISR for airborne COIN operations remains an ad hoc and limited capability.

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