Drones in Intelligence collection

ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), ISR is de ned as the

coordinated and integrated acquisition, processing and provision of timely,
accurate, relevant, coherent and assured information and intelligence to the site
commanding o cer’s conduct of activities. 

Examples of ISR systems include surveillance and reconnaissance systems

ranging from satellites, to manned aircraft to unmanned aircraft systems xed wing
or multi-copter.  This includes DRI, SA and Response (or ReACT).

Surveillance is one of the best method of intelligence collection. Surveillance is the

close observation of a person, group of people, behaviors, activities, infrastructure,
building, etc for the purpose of managing, in uencing, directing, or protecting.
There are also several di erent methods of surveillance. Methods include GPS
tracking, camera observation, and stake-outs, Additionally, you can use data
mining, pro ling, and biometric surveillance.

Traditional observational surveillance methods are typically limited by the

stationary nature of the camera. The camera is therefore usually handled manually
or xed upon a tripod or other structure. Aerial surveillance with a helicopter
achieves the desired result but is also very costly.

Unmanned aircraft systems provide the ideal solution to the problems and
limitations faced by other surveillance methods. Drone surveillance presents an
easier, faster, and cheaper method of data collection. Consequently, there are also
a number of other key advantages. Drone planes can enter narrow and con ned
spaces, produce minimal noise, and are equipped with night-vision cameras and
thermal sensors. For this reason, they provide imagery that the human eye is
unable to detect.UAVs can quickly cover large and di cult-to-reach areas,
reducing sta numbers and costs. They additionally do not require much space for
their operators.Using micro/small drones for ISR operations such as intelligence,
surveillance and real-time reconnaissance can increase the overall success rates
of on-ground campaigns, multi-fold. It can, not just save lives, but also give the
keen military-edge on the eld. 

India is the 3rd largest military spender in the world, with the 2nd largest armed
force. There's a clear and positive trend towards tech-infusion and modernization
within the military. The other two higher military spenders (in the top 3 spender list)
are the United States and China (respectively).

India is closing the gap between itself and China (in terms of military readiness and
spend). Using drones improve upon Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
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 (ISR) processes and create quintessential on- eld advantage at the right time in
the right manner. 

Drones (UAVs)    are invaluable tools in surveillance and security as, along with
various sensor payloads, it can play a role in  ALL phases  of  ISR  (Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance) from initial Detection to the nal Response.

Two of the most commonly used sensors are thermal  and optical cameras. The

type of UAV will used depends on your application, eg border are patrolled by
MALE UAVs (Predator) for Detection, but this is supplemented by smaller drones
for  Identi cation  as well along with  Situational Awareness  (SA)
during Response actions. The exibility of these small UAV/S make them ideal to
support the full range of  ISR phases.

More detailed levels of DRI lead to higher levels of situational awareness (SA),
better decision-making and more e ective Action. Thermal and Optical cameras
di er in how they support these processes.

Situational Awareness (SA)

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 SA is the perception of environmental elements and events with respect to time or
space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status after
some variable has changed, such as time, or some other variable, such as a
predetermined event.

Understanding of the environment is critical to decision-makers in complex,

dynamic areas from aviation, air tra c control, ship navigation, power plant
operations, military command and control, and emergency services such as
re ghting and policing.


The SA framework based on a theoretical framework by (Endsley, 1995b),

describes three stages or steps of SA formation: 

Level 1. Perception – involves the process of monitoring, detection and simple

recognition.

Level 2. Comprehension – integrating this information too understand its like

impact

Level 3. Projection – the ability to project the future actions of the elements in the
environment



Sensors are used in di erent ways to achieve higher levels of Situational
Awareness.

Drones for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance :-


Some of the ways in which armies use drones for intelligence collection:

1. Surveillance: Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and other

sensors can y over enemy territory, gathering valuable intelligence on enemy
positions, movements, and activities.

2. Target acquisition: Drones can be used to locate and identify targets for
airstrikes, artillery re, or other military operations. By providing real-time
images and video footage, drones enable military personnel to make
informed decisions on how to proceed with an operation.

3. Reconnaissance: Drones can be used to conduct aerial reconnaissance of

terrain, allowing military personnel to identify potential obstacles, routes of
ingress and egress, and other critical information that can aid in military
operations.

4. Border security: Drones can be used to monitor and secure borders,

gathering intelligence on cross-border movements and activities, and
identifying potential threats.

5. Search and rescue: Drones can be used to locate and rescue stranded or
injured personnel in hostile environments, providing valuable support to
military personnel on the ground.

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Sharp and actionable intelligence and counter-intelligence 

Advanced-level military tactics boost the sovereignty and security of a nation.

These are greatly enhanced by small and micro drones. These drones can survey
and map (3D visual and thermal imagery) large areas in quick time, even at
challenging altitudes to ne-tune territorial and situational awareness. 


Military personnel can strategically analyze the available terrain advantages to

launch successful o ences. Drones in ISR operations also o er quick target
discovery, identi cation, pro ling, and accurate location tagging. This is essential,
not just for military campaigns, but also for building secure home bases. 


Drone-led surveying and mapping o er valuable counter-intelligence which helps

better augment or alter our strategies (in-time and on-point). Such tactical agility,
driven by drones, are essential in maintaining the upper-hand, and hence a
peaceful outlook, in key line of control (LOC) or insurgent-prone areas. 


Day or night surveillance| 25x higher on- eld visual coverage 

Some military garrisons and outposts are equipped only with stationary CCTV
cameras, motion-sensors and manual scouting/patrolling. This creates many
'blind-spots' which may become future security challenges. Drones help upgrade
this military-tech infrastructure by making the 'surveillance' truly dynamic and
responsive. 


Drones can improve visual surveillance reach by 25x and increase total area under
surveillance by 16x. Drones can carry dual-payloads for visual and thermal imaging
in the same ight. They can have day or night surveillance (white-hot/black-hot)
imaging, in real-time, anywhere. 


These drones are totally man-portable and can be carried in a single bag (the
entire Ground Control Station) by any soldier or operator. They can be deployed
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from any small location with Vertical Take-O and Landing (VTOL). They y further,
faster and better with minimal noise. 

Manual patrolling at high altitudes and harsh weather takes on a toll on the health
of the soldiers. Drones can assuage this workload with live and detailed
surveillance of large areas, in quick time. 

Regular drone surveillance helps with instant terrain change and suspicious
movement detection. ideaForge drones recently helped uncover subterranean
tunnels used by insurgents for goods and weapons movement. Such drone-
enabled tactical advantage within counter-insurgency has nipped many latent
terrorist-hubs in the bud before they can harm civilians or soldiers. 

Real-time reconnaissance | Saving lives and boosting military operations 

Drone-enabled intelligence and counter-intelligence help build analytically-driven

and tactical military plans. Regular and detailed drone surveillance helps build on-
ground intel and awareness for higher eld control and shorter response time. 

Drone-led real-time reconnaissance adds the active campaign advantage which

ends up saving lives and minimizing collateral damage. O cers can deploy drones
before crossing insurgent-a icted roads or before setting o on a campaign.
Drones scout-out the area with minimal noise and at a comfortable height to
obscure them from normal vision. They use their size and endurance as stealth
points. 

Drones in ISR operations give live and encrypted feedback to the operator
showcasing all hostiles, vehicles and weapons at the target location. The
commanding o cers can study the live reconnaissance feed and use it to mount
an operation with a far-higher success probability. Drone-led reconnaissance also
ensures that soldiers, as scouts, are kept away from high-risk open scenarios.
These drones can also virtually mark and follow moving targets, even at night. This
adds a great advantage to operational planning and actual execution. 

India's military might have always been considered mature and developed, acting
as a strong deterrent. Border transgressions from neighboring countries, insurgent
activities and active military engagements require the tech-boost of proven drones.
Drones that were built and tested, indigenously, against the highest military
standards and speci cations. Drones that have evolved constantly to become
current and leading global-bench markers.



LIST OF DRONES USED BY INDIAN ARMED FORCES


• DRDO Ghatak

• DRDO Archer

• India-US Joint ALUAV Target Drone

• RUAV 200

• Adani Hermes 900

• Trinetra UAV

• Hal Cats DRDO Rustom

• TAPAS-BH-201

• DRDO Imperial Eagle

• DRDO Lakshya – The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the

DRDO created Lakshya, an Indian remotely piloted high-speed target drone
system. A derivative of the Lakshya-1 is utilized for combat reconnaissance
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 and target acquisition in a stealthy manner. For live re training, the drone is
remotely operated by a ground control station and delivers realistic towed
aerial sub-targets. The drone is launched from the ground or from a ship
using a zero-length launcher, and it is recovered using a two-stage parachute
system designed by ADE (DRDO) for land-based or sea-based recovery. The
drone’s nose cone is crushable, absorbing the impact of landing and reducing
damage. Depending on the objective, the ight route may be regulated or pre-
programmed.

• DRDO Netra – The DRDO Netra is a light-weight, autonomous UAV developed

in India for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The Research and
Development Establishment (R&DE) and IdeaForge, a Mumbai-based private
enterprise, collaborated on it.

• DRDO Nishant – The DRDO Nishant is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

created for the Indian Armed Forces by India’s Aeronautical Development
Establishment (ADE), which is a component of the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO). The Nishant UAV is primarily responsible
for gathering intelligence over enemy territory, although it also performs
reconnaissance, training, surveillance, target designation, artillery re
correction, damage assessment, ELINT, and SIGINT missions. The UAV has a
four-hour and thirty-minute endurance. Nishant has nished the development
stage as well as user testing.

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