Quantitative Methods with Applications in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Policy

Professor: Alkire
Units: 0.5
Elective Course
Concentration: Quantitative Methods
Prerequisites: Operations Research I (or permission from the instructor) and a willingness to learn new quantitative methods

ISR systems, such as the drone technology used to great effect in recent conflicts, provide military commanders and Washington policymakers with information on developments in combat areas in great detail. Whereas it’s possible to plan for combat aircraft, ships or tanks that can be used for decades, it is doubtful that today’s ISR systems will still be the right mix a few years from today. For this reason, ISR system needs and capabilities need to be reassessed frequently. This course teaches quantitative methods for assessing ISR system needs and capabilities. The methods are useful for assessing the right mix and quantity of ISR systems to meet emerging demands; for finding new ways of employing ISR capabilities to improve the effectiveness of the resulting intelligence products and/or generate them more efficiently; for identifying sensor updates needed to enable a particular surveillance capability. This half-unit course is designed for Fellows with interests in: ISR policy issues such as those commonly addressed at RAND Project AIR FORCE; technology policy; national security research; careers in intelligence; OJT in the national security FFRDCs.