GUEST OPINION: Defence operations now span more distributed, data-intensive environments that depend on real-time coordination across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains. As unmanned systems take on a larger role in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), the priority has shifted from single-point data collection to integrating data into command environments effectively.
This shift is changing expectations for ground control stations (GCS). These environments now act as operational coordination hubs, linking operators, unmanned assets, sensors, mission software, and live data in a way that supports faster decisions without adding operational complexity.
Jerry Huang Vice President, Global Market Development, Getac, said, “The operational value of ISR increasingly depends on the speed, reliability, and usability of the systems connecting collection, control, and command. Defence teams need ground control environments that can bring unmanned platforms, live data, sensors, and mission software together in a single operational framework.”
Getac’s growing role in defence technology reflects this shift from standalone rugged devices to integrated operational solutions. At its annual Innovation Day in Taiwan, held on 4 June alongside Computex 2026, the company highlighted its vision for connecting aerial intelligence with ground control in demanding, mission-critical environments. This included solution ecosystems for unmanned systems, rugged edge computing, and operational control closer to the tactical edge.
For defence organisations, this points to a broader requirement: technologies that can bring platforms, data, devices, and decision-making together in a more coordinated operational environment.
Modern ISR rarely depends on a single system. Defence organisations increasingly operate across mixed fleets, joint force structures, and coalition environments where sensors and communication tools from different vendors must work together. A modular and interoperable GCS architecture helps reduce fragmentation while giving operators a more consistent view of the mission environment.
Jerry Huang Vice President, Global Market Development said, “The next stage of ISR capability will be shaped by how effectively defence organisations integrate systems and data across the mission chain. Open, modular control environments are becoming central to multi-domain operations because they help teams adapt to different platforms, partners, and mission requirements.”
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At the operational level, integrated GCS environments strengthen continuity from forward operating points to established command posts. Through a single interface, personnel can manage the full ISR workflow, from monitoring live feeds to adjusting mission parameters. This supports clearer situational awareness and more coordinated responses across domains.
Jerry Huang Vice President, Global Market Development said, “Ground control environments now need to function as coordination hubs, not just device interfaces. Operators require secure communications, real-time visibility, and reliable control in one place. They need enough flexibility to support different mission profiles and operating conditions.”
Edge processing is also becoming increasingly important. In contested, remote, or degraded communications environments, reliance on centralised infrastructure can create latency and operational risk. Processing and analysing ISR data closer to the point of collection helps teams maintain continuity and act sooner, even where bandwidth is constrained or connectivity is intermittent.
Reliability is no longer only about hardware survivability. Defence organisations need systems that stay secure, adaptable, and interoperable as unmanned ecosystems evolve. This places greater emphasis on rugged, mission-ready platforms that can sustain performance in harsh conditions.
Jerry Huang Vice President, Global Market Development said, “Resilience at the edge is becoming a core operational requirement. Defence teams need systems that keep data moving and decisions close to the point of action, even when conditions change or connectivity is limited.”
The evolution of ISR therefore extends beyond expanding sensing capability. It focuses on improving how defence teams integrate, process, and apply information across the operational environment. As defence organisations continue to invest in unmanned systems, edge computing, and advanced analytics, connected ecosystems will become increasingly important to coordinated action.
Integrated command platforms will play an important role in the future of multi-domain ISR. By bringing unmanned platforms, operational data, mission software, and partner systems into a more unified GCS framework, defence teams can build the command infrastructure needed to support faster decisions, greater resilience, and sustained mission effectiveness.
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