Wizardry for air campaigns : signals intelligence support to the cockpit

Book excerpt: In order for all applications of airpower -- including counter-air, deep interdiction strike, air landing, and combat search and rescue -- to succeed, they must be informed by comprehensive data on targets. Moreover, it would be helpful if intelligence included the intentions and capabilities of opponents. Getting signals intelligence data to the cockpit and pilots for instantaneous use on the battlefield is the objective. Signals intelligence can provide needed information, but its collection, processing, analysis, and distribution is secretive. Consequently, an operator is slow to get even minimal data. Real-time signals intelligence support to the cockpit is an on-going challenge, but it is not as cosmic or fantasy-based as some believe. Three historical examples illustrate what can be done when operations and intelligence ensure that critical data reach the battlefield in a timely fashion.