Integrated ISR Plan Analysis and Rehearsal System (I2PARS) for Effects Based Assessment

To support effects based operations (EBO) for air campaigns, military decision makers at Air Operations Centers (AOCs) must be afforded decision superiority over their adversaries. A key element to attaining decision superiority is the effective and timely use of ISR assets. The capabilities of ISR platforms such as the E-8C, the E-3, Global Hawk, Predator, combined with space-based assets portend a huge increase in the effectiveness of ISR to achieve decision superiority. However, a key impediment remains the effective C2 of ISR assets and the associated lack of automated decision support systems. To fully realize the benefits of ISR platforms and their capabilities and to support the overall construct of effects based operations, decision support systems are needed to assist ISR planning staff in optimal planning and mission rehearsal of their associated ISR assets to support effects assessment. Here, we propose an Integrated ISR Plan Analysis and Rehearsal System (I2PARS) for effects assessment. The system combines evolutionary algorithms for ISR plan optimization, with the spatial analysis and visualization and animation capabilities afforded by Geographic Information Systems (GIS). We see considerable potential for this approach to address key decision support functionality required for the AOC ISR battlestaff.