Furthermore, the available digital bandwidth
was insufficient to synchronize intelligence
databases within the BCT and did not meet
requirements for reachback to intelligence
architectures at echelons above division. In
fact, couriers were often sent with Flash drives to various command posts to synchronize intelligence databases. Commanders were rarely allocated more than an hour of FMV (full motion video) a week in the early stages of the war, and this
allocation was often underutilized since BCT
commanders did not know in advance when
they would control the asset. Even when the
BCT received FMV coverage, the ground
control station or the picture remained at
division level.

Today’s BCT has three times the original
analytic capability and twice the human
intelligence capability of a 2003 legacy BCT.
Additionally, each BCT has an organic tactical UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) platoon that provides 18 hours of FMV
coverage a day and can often count on and
plan for additional FMV support from a corps
asset allocated to support division operations. The BCT SIGINT platoon is equipped to meet today’s battlefield requirement, and Theater has resourced most BCTs with a cryptologic support team and SIGINT terminal guidance teams to augment their organic SIGINT analytic and collection capability, providing the ability to tap into vast national resources.

Most importantly, the BCT has ample
bandwidth available to handle internal communications and to provide reachback to division and EAD (Echelons Above Division) intelligence architectures. BCT
commanders can now truly prosecute a multidisciplined intelligence fight and use tipping and cueing from all collectors to focus FMV ISR assets better, thereby improving agility and ability to gain and maintain contact with the enemy.