The U.S. Army is undergoing a significant restructuring of its intelligence operations, highlighted by the creation of the Directorate for Strategy and Transformation within the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G-2) shop. This move coincides with the dissolution of the ISR Task Force, signaling a shift towards a more permanent and integrated approach to modernization.
From Task Force to Directorate: Institutionalizing Transformation
According to Andrew Evans, former head of the ISR Task Force and now director of the Strategy & Transformation Office, this transition aims to „institutionalize this role of transformation that we’ve been doing in the ISR Task Force, makes it more permanent, and also combines it with the important role of strategy and strategy formulation for the Army Intel Corps.”
Legacy of the ISR Task Force
Established during the Trump administration, the ISR Task Force played a crucial role in modernizing the Army’s airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Its efforts included spearheading several high-profile acquisition programs, such as the Athena-Sensor, Athena-Radar, and High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES).
Continuous Transformation in a Changing World
„What we discovered along the way is that transformation is not a one and done thing,” Evans emphasized. „You don’t transform to achieve some end state and say, ‘I’m done transforming’ in the world where threats continuously change, you also must continuously transform.”
A Lean and Agile Team
The Directorate for Strategy and Transformation will consist of a combination of military personnel, civilians, and contracted workforce. While the exact numbers are still under discussion, Evans assures that it will be a „lean team.”
Focus on Assessment, Value, and Rapid Prototyping
The directorate’s primary goals include developing a robust assessment capability for programs, ensuring that investments are yielding the desired value for the Army’s intelligence community, and accelerating the delivery of prototypes to soldiers in the field. The directorate aims to reach initial operating capability by mid-October and full operational capability within a year.
