US Air Force,
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE: In response to a warfighter need for automated mission report data management capability, the Global Cyberspace Integration Center here joined Air Force Research Laboratories to develop the Mission Report Analysis Tool, or MAT.
MAT data management software installed at a base in Southwest Asia is saving significant man-hours and enhancing the overall intelligence analysis process inside the Air and Space Operations Center there.
MAT provides the capability for mission data generated by units to be automatically received and processed. Previously, all data was manually entered which led to erroneous data input, reduced intelligence value of data and tied up critical resources.
“Our Airmen no longer have to search out multiple documents and individuals to get figures and information,” said Col. Stephen Moulton, GCIC modernization and innovation director. “MAT's query capabilities provide up to date information in a one-stop shopping tool.”
By providing automatic ingestion and processing of mission data, MAT allows AOC intelligence analysts to focus on understanding the mission data and produce decision quality information instead of having to manually enter mission report data.
MAT has been successfully deployed and implemented at the Soutwest Asia base since March.
This analysis tool is a “success and major leap forward in improving the efficiency of a unit support cell's facilitating the timely dissemination of critical analysis by reducing the time burden,” said Capt. Jeff Schnakenberg, chief of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance division unit support at the Southwest Asia base.
Processing individual mission reports took from 10 to 90 minutes, but MAT has reduced the processing time to between half a minute and three minutes. Through machine-to-machine information processing the Air Force saves more than 64 man-hours per day and 2,000 per month.
“MAT is able to do the work of five Airmen,” said Captain Schnakenberg. “It reduces errors due to manual entry and data re-entry.”
Data queries now can be done in a matter of seconds. Before MAT, multiple documents and individuals were searched to determine figures and analysis of information. MAT enables the user to extract usable data and information.
Future MAT capabilities being worked at GCIC will address an automatic link to transfer weapon system video, generate coalition reports and products, and link MAT data to other intelligence data.
