Intelligence Services Believe They Can Now Consistently Construct a Unified Battlefield Image for Military Personnel
Streamlining Battlefield Intelligence: Defense Intelligence Agency Pursues Common Intelligence Picture
In a bid to streamline battlefield intelligence, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is making a third attempt to establish a Common Intelligence Picture (CIP), a unified data stream that provides essential information for combatant commanders, combined forces air component commanders (CFACCs), and their subordinates.
Speaking at the AFA Warfare Symposium last month, Greg Ryckman, deputy director for global integration for the Defense Intelligence Agency, highlighted the improved technology, diminished cultural barriers, and increased urgency as factors that make this current endeavor distinguishable from previous attempts that failed.
Ryckman identified China's looming 2027 deadline for readiness to invade Taiwan as the driving factor behind this pressing need for a common intelligence perspective.
In contrast to a Common Operating Picture (COP), which offers a geospatial representation of enemy and friendly forces, a CIP is an intelligence data fusion that informs commanders about the complete determine of a specific enemy unit. Retired Air Force Col. Frederick "Trey" Coleman III, former commander of the 505th Command and Control Wing, expounded on this distinction.
Both CIPs and COPs are contingent on the quality of the underlying data, Coleman added, emphasizing the current data problem that obstructs the effective implementation of these systems.
Each intelligence provider presently develops its own CIP, which conflicts with the spirit of collaboration driving this initiative, according to Ryckman. The central objective of the Common Intelligence Picture is to foster unity among decision-makers by ensuring they share the same intelligence perspective.
The inconsistencies between the various existing intelligence pictures have contributed to a fragmented decision-making environment, as retired Col. Jon "BigDogg" Rhone, former commander of the 505th Test and Evaluation Group, explained during a separate session.
Ryckman underscored that the multiplicity of sources is the problem CIP is designed to solve. In light of this, the military cannot afford multiple disparate intelligence pictures that might complicate the battlefield situation.
During the panel discussion, Lt. Gen. Leah Lauderback and Maj. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, the top intelligence officers in the Air Force and Space Force, respectively, emphasized the importance of a unified intelligence picture for delivering unified action, essential for countering potentially high-end conflicts, such as those with China.
Lauderback emphasized the significance of maintaining a rapid response and ability to handle a large number of objects, as any overwhelmed analysts could find themselves "drowning in data." Ryckman concurred, emphasizing the need for technology to help military analysts process and comprehend the vast amounts of data available to them.
Since October 2024, the DIA has been leading the coordination of action on a CIP between the four Pentagon combat support agencies. Now, the joint program management office includes elements from the other three agencies - the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and National Security Agency (NSA). The focus is now on bringing the services into the process as well.
The successful implementation of a CIP will enable data about enemy positions, capabilities, and intentions to be disseminated down and out to the CFACC and their team in the AOC, to the wings, and even beyond. This will ensure that commanders on the ground receive the intelligence they need to understand the battlefield and adapt to tactical situations in real-time.
Technological advancements could be the key to making a CIP successful this time around. As Ryckman explained, these systems require an object-based approach, which consolidates all information about a specific object. For example, a tank object would aggregate information about its weapon capabilities, armor, electronic signature, and more. To effectively manage data for thousands of objects in a battlefield, new technology is indispensable.
Previous efforts to achieve a common intelligence picture were hampered by the individual contributions of various intelligence agencies within the Department of Defense, according to Ryckman. Instead of building an enterprise CIP, they tended to focus on their own part in the effort. In terms of culture, the departments may not have been as unified as needed.
While not explicitly detailed in the provided search results, the broader military efforts to enhance operational intelligence and data integration represent a significant role for technology in achieving a unified intelligence picture across different branches, thereby supporting this current initiative by the DIA.
- The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is aiming to create a unified data stream called the Common Intelligence Picture (CIP), which will provide essential battlefield information for combatant commanders and their subordinates, including combined forces air component commanders (CFACCs).
- The military is currently working on overcoming past challenges that prevented successful implementation of the Common Intelligence Picture, with factors such as improved technology, diminished cultural barriers, and increased urgency being key differentiating factors.
- Under the Common Intelligence Picture, concrete information about a specific enemy unit will be shared with commanders, whereas a Common Operating Picture (COP) offers a geospatial representation of friendly and enemy forces.
- The military is working towards a united approach to intelligence, as inconsistencies between various existing intelligence pictures have led to a fragmented decision-making environment. Implementing a CIP is crucial for fostering unity among decision-makers and ensuring they share the same intelligence perspective.
- Technology plays a significant role in the successful implementation of the Common Intelligence Picture, as it allows for an object-based approach, consolidating all information about a specific object, such as a tank's weapon capabilities, armor, electronic signature, and more. By managing data for thousands of objects in a battlefield with new technology, the military can overcome complexities and ensure commanders on the ground have the intelligence they need to react in real-time.
