By Marina Malenic
As the Air Force ramps up procurement of unmanned spy planes and other surveillance equipment used heavily by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, the service is launching what officials say is a more transparent way of doing business with the companies that provide that materiel.
At a Pentagon press briefing yesterday, the air service unveiled an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) “flight plan” with interactive computer databases where industry can pitch ideas for new products.
“This will give everyone a common reference of what’s being worked on,” said Brig. Gen. Veralinn Jamieson, a top Air Force ISR official.
“We are encouraging industry, if you have something, please let’s put it in the database,” she added. “Because we want to see if we can get it into a solution.”
Over 2,700 developmental items have already been entered into database, according to Jamieson. She said the goal is to have a “systematic, transparent, interactive” forum that gives all companies, large and small, access to Air Force decision-makers.
In the past, Jamieson said, high-level industry executives might have tried to speak directly with Pentagon officials to present such ideas.
Now, however, everyone has equal access, said Lt. Gen. David Deptula, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).
“If you want to play in this game, you want to be in the Air Force ISR flight plan,” said Deptula.
“We’re not publishing this,” he added. “It’s information we can use in developing program alternatives.”
Jamieson said the Air Force secretary and chief of staff have been briefed on the new plan and have endorsed it.
Jamieson said she is anticipating more space and cyber-related requirements and needs from combatant commanders in the near future, in large part because of the creation this year of a new Cyber Command.