Wizardry for Air Campaigns

In order for all applications of airpower -- including counter-air, deep interdictionstrike, air landing, and combat search and rescue -- to succeed, they must be informed bycomprehensive data on targets. Moreover, it would be helpful if intelligence included theintentions and capabilities of opponents. Getting signals intelligence data to the cockpitand pilots for instantaneous use on the battlefield is the objective. Signals intelligence canprovide needed information, but its collection, processing, analysis, and distribution issecretive. Consequently, an operator is slow to get even minimal data. Real-time signalsintelligence support to the cockpit is an on-going challenge, but it is not as cosmic orfantasy-based as some believe. Three historical examples illustrate what can be done when operations and intelligence ensure that critical data reach the battlefield in a timely fashion.