ISTAR stands for information, surveillance, target acquisition, and
reconnaissance. In its macroscopic sense, ISTAR is a practice that links
several battlefield functions together to assist a combat force in employing
its sensors and managing the information they gather.
Information is collected on the battlefield through systematic
observation by deployed soldiers and a variety of electronic sensors.
Surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance are methods of obtaining
this information. The information is then passed to intelligence personnel
for analysis, and then to the commander and his staff for the formulation of
battle plans. Intelligence is processed information that is relevant and
contributes to an understanding of the ground, and of enemy dispositions and
intents. ISTAR is the process of integrating the
intelligence process with surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance
tasks in order to improve a commander’s situational awareness and consequently
their decision making. The inclusion of the "I" is important as it recognizes
the importance of taking the information from all the sensors and processing it
into useful knowledge. ISTAR can also refer to:
a unit or sub unit with ISTAR as a task equipment required to support the task
Variations of ISTAR There are several variations on the
"ISTAR" acronym. Some variations reflect specific emphasis on certain aspects of
ISTAR. = STAR=
A term used when emphasis is to be placed on the sensing component of
ISTAR. = RSTA=
A term used by the US Army in place of STAR or ISTAR. Also, a term used to
identify certain US Army units: for instance, 3rd Squadron, 153rd RSTA.
These units serve a similar role to the belowmentioned US Marine Corps STA
platoons, but on a larger scale. = STA=
Used to designate one of the following: A US Military Occupational Specialty -
specifically a STA sniper The role of a unit or equipment
A doctrine similar to ISTAR. = ISR=
ISR is the coordinated and integrated acquisition, processing and provision of
timely, accurate, relevant, coherent and assured information and intelligence to
support commander’s conduct of activities. Land, sea, air and space
platforms have critical ISR roles in supporting operations in general. By
massing ISR assets, allowing a period of immersion, developing layering and cross
cueing of sensors, an improved clarity and depth of knowledge can be
established. ISR encompasses multiple activities related to the planning and
operation of systems that collect, process, and disseminate data in support
of current and future military operations.
Examples of ISR systems include surveillance and reconnaissance systems
ranging from satellites, to manned aircraft such as the U-2, to unmanned
aircraft systems such as the US Air Force’s Global Hawk and Predator and the
US Army’s Hunter, to other ground-, air-, sea-, or space-based equipment,
and to human intelligence teams. The intelligence data provided by these ISR
systems can take many forms, including optical, radar, or infrared images or
electronic signals. Effective ISR data can provide early warning of enemy
threats as well as enable military forces to increase effectiveness,
coordination, and lethality, and demand for ISR capabilities to support ongoing
military operations has increased. ISR concepts are also associated with
certain intelligence units, for instance Task Force ODIN, ISR TF in Bosnia,
Kosovo and Afghanistan. In the United States, the similar entity is used
within their Marine Corps's Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and
Intelligence Group. The SRIG modelled as a consolidated military intelligence
collection agency, most of the gathered intelligence are collected from many
sources. ISTAR units and formations
RSTA Long Range Surveillance Units
Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS, Raytheon Sentinel, Alliance Ground
Surveillance Aircraft Artillery STA
STA sniper Sayeret Matkal
Honourable Artillery Company 21 SAS
Intelligence battalion Jegerkompaniet
Kystjegerkommandoen Garnisonen i Sør-Varanger
Joint ISTAR Command 103 ISTAR battalion
ISTAR Battalion ISTAR Battalion
ISTAR battalion ISTAR HQ platoon)
NBG ISTAR TF ISTAR
62nd Svarzochna Brigada SIG
61 Special Reconnaissance Regiment Strategic Reconnaissance Company
Acquisition and Survey Regiment Special Support & Reconnaissance Company
- SSR ISTAR Bat TF 11 ad hoc
350. military intelligence battalion Razuznavacki bataljon na ARM, Republika
Makedonija 5. obveščevalno-izvidniški bataljon, 5th
Intelligence-Reconnaissance Btn, Military of Slovenia
Regimiento de Inteligencia 1 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery. UAS
Regiment 47th Regiment Royal Artillery. UAS
Regiment Special Action Force
See also Surveillance, Intelligence,
Reconnaissance Group USMC C4ISTAR, a broader concept that also
includes Command, Control, Communications and Computers.
CARVER matrix References
External links Reconnaissance and Surveillance
Operations – Canadian Land Forces manual about armoured reconnaissance
INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, and RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAMS – ACSC Research
Topic