Jstars, E-10a and the Kill Chain

This research paper examines the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS), its successes and shortfalls, its eventual replacement, the E-10A, and how both fit into the Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess (F2T2EA) Kill Chain construct for Effects-Based Operations in a Network-Centric environment. Information Superiority is a key enabler for dominance of the 21st Century battlespace. To this end, sensor-to-shooter operations are crucial for timely enemy force attrition. JSTARS' ability to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) as well as command and control operations is a lynchpin to providing the Joint Force Commander the predictive battlespace awareness (PBA) necessary for combat operations. Despite limitations in training, joint force education and experience, and its utilization in the Kill Chain, JSTARS' role will only increase in importance and expand with the fielding of the E-10A aircraft to provide real-time ISR and Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) support to the Joint Force Commander.