Getac says ground control stations must evolve for ISR

Getac says Ground Control Stations should evolve into integrated hubs for multi-domain intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. Jerry Huang, Vice President, Global Market Development, outlined that view.

Defence operations are becoming more distributed and more dependent on the flow of live information across land, sea, air, cyber and space, Huang said. In that setting, he argued, the value of unmanned systems rests less on collecting data at a single point and more on linking data, control and command in one operating environment.

"The operational value of ISR increasingly depends on the speed, reliability, and usability of the systems connecting collection, control, and command. Defence teams need ground control environments that can bring unmanned platforms, live data, sensors, and mission software together in a single operational framework," said Huang, Vice President, Global Market Development, Getac.

The remarks reflect Getac's view of how the role of ground control is changing as defence forces deploy larger numbers of drones and other unmanned systems. Rather than serving mainly as an interface for a single device or platform, the station is being positioned as the place where operators oversee aircraft, sensors, software and incoming feeds together.

Changing role

That shift reflects a wider pattern in defence technology, as military users try to reduce fragmentation across fleets, services and partner organisations. Modern ISR missions often involve systems from several suppliers, along with joint-force and coalition structures that require equipment and software to work together.

A modular, interoperable architecture can give operators a more consistent view of the mission while avoiding isolated systems that are harder to manage, Getac argued. It also linked that approach to the growing need for command environments that can adapt to different platforms and operating requirements.

"The next stage of ISR capability will be shaped by how effectively defence organisations integrate systems and data across the mission chain. Open, modular control environments are becoming central to multi-domain operations because they help teams adapt to different platforms, partners, and mission requirements," said Huang.

Getac placed those comments alongside its broader defence technology work, where the focus is moving beyond standalone rugged devices toward integrated operational systems. It pointed to ecosystems around unmanned systems, edge computing and control functions closer to the tactical edge.

Operational demands

At the operational level, the argument centres on continuity between forward positions and more established command posts. A single interface for monitoring live feeds, adjusting mission settings and managing the wider ISR workflow is intended to give personnel a clearer picture of the operational environment and a more direct way to coordinate responses.

This is especially relevant in missions spread across multiple domains, where delays in moving information between collection, analysis and command can reduce the usefulness of ISR. Getac's position is that ground control environments now need to combine communications, visibility and control rather than treat them as separate functions.

"Ground control environments now need to function as coordination hubs, not just device interfaces. Operators require secure communications, real-time visibility, and reliable control in one place. They need enough flexibility to support different mission profiles and operating conditions," said Huang.

Edge processing

Another part of the discussion focused on processing data closer to where it is collected. In remote, contested or degraded communications environments, dependence on central infrastructure can create delays and increase the risk of disruption when links are weak or intermittent.

By moving analysis closer to the source, military teams can continue working with ISR data even when bandwidth is limited. That model is becoming more important as unmanned assets generate larger volumes of live information that may not always be easy to send back to a central system in real time.

In this environment, Getac argued, reliability is no longer defined only by whether equipment can withstand harsh physical conditions. It also depends on whether systems remain secure, interoperable and adaptable as unmanned fleets and partner networks change over time.

"Resilience at the edge is becoming a core operational requirement. Defence teams need systems that keep data moving and decisions close to the point of action, even when conditions change or connectivity is limited," said Huang.

Getac's assessment points to a defence market placing greater emphasis on connected command environments as spending on unmanned systems, edge computing and analytics continues. The central issue, according to Huang, is how well organisations can combine platforms, software, data and partner systems into a unified framework for decision-making.

Integrated command platforms will play an important role in the future of multi-domain ISR by bringing unmanned platforms, operational data, mission software and partner systems into a more unified GCS framework.