Jane Edwards
Chris Pehrson, a senior executive at General Atomics, has told Bloomberg Government that the vast amounts of intelligence data that remotely piloted aircraft’s sensors collect pose a challenge to the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sector.
Pehrson said in an interview published Thursday that General Atomics’ aeronautical systems business seeks to address that challenge through the adoption of networked platforms and merger of multiple intelligence and signals intelligence data.
Pehrson, who serves as senior director of strategic development at GA-ASI, cited precision, navigation and timing, sensor and weapons tools, data links and propulsion systems as some of the technology gaps that need to be addressed in the field of RPA.
He also called for the development of novel technology platforms that will work to facilitate the integration of RPA with U.S. and international airspace systems.
Pehrson also shared his views on how the government can change the way it procures C4ISR products and services.
“Incentivizing a long-term perspective with rapid acquisition processes is one way the government could stimulate innovation and improve the way it purchases C4ISR goods and services,” he said in the interview.
