The U.S. Army officially consolidated its airborne and ground-based sensor acquisition offices on November 1, 2026, creating Project Manager Aerial-Terrestrial Surveillance and Reconnaissance (PM ATSR). The new office merges Project Manager Terrestrial Sensors (PM TS) and Project Director Sensors Aerial Intelligence (PD SAI) into a unified program management office.
Led by Project Manager Tom Dunaway, PM ATSR brings terrestrial base defense, biometrics, identity intelligence, aerial intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and deep-sensing portfolios under a single organizational structure. Positioned under the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Command and Control and Counter Command and Control (C2/C-C2) [formerly under PE0 IEW&S consolidation frameworks], the merger is designed to streamline sensor procurement timelines, eliminate contract redundancy, and synchronize delivery schedules across multi-domain operational environments.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: PM ATSR PORTFOLIO ARCHITECTURE & SENSOR INTEGRATION
Organizational Restructuring & Acquisition Hierarchy
⚡ Lead Project Authority: Project Manager Aerial-Terrestrial Surveillance and Reconnaissance (PM ATSR)
⚡ Leadership: Tom Dunaway (Project Manager)
⚡ Governance Framework: Operates under Portfolio Management Executive for Intelligence and Spectrum Warfare (Chris Manning) within the Army’s streamlined acquisition portfolio realignment
⚡ Operational Objective: Consolidates acquisition, fielding, and life-cycle sustainment of terrestrial force-protection sensors, ground-mapping tools, biometrics, and high-altitude airborne intelligence payloads into one synchronized process 
Legacy Office Mergers & Core Asset Portfolios
💥 Former Project Manager Terrestrial Sensors (PM TS):
• Managed ground-based perimeter security, force-protection sensor arrays, Automated Installation Entry (AIE) systems, and terrain engineering tools (e.g., Instrument Set, Reconnaissance and Surveying / ENFIRE)
• Focused on base defense, physical security networks, counter-intrusion sensors, and identity verification suites across military installations
💥 Former Project Director Sensors Aerial Intelligence (PD SAI):
• Chartered in 2020 to oversee airborne ISR payload development, SIGINT/ELINT suites, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor integration
• Supported jet-based airborne technology demonstrators including ARTEMIS (Airborne Reconnaissance and Target Exploitation Multi-Mission Intelligence System), ARES (Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System), and ATHENA (Airborne Reconnaissance and Targeting Multi-Mission Intelligence System)
💥 Deep-Sensing Acceleration — High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES):
• Supported alongside the Army’s Fixed Wing Project Office; HADES Prototype 1 successfully executed its maiden flight on September 11, 2026
• Platform Mechanics: Integrates advanced SIGINT, high-resolution radar, and long-range targeting sensors onto commercial business jet airframes operating at altitudes >45,000 ft (>15,000 m) and speeds exceeding 450 knots (830 km/h)
TIMES OF DEFENCE ASSESSMENT
The formation of PM ATSR reflects the U.S. Army’s focus on unifying its sensor acquisition architectures.
From a defense acquisition and joint force ISR perspective, this restructuring offers three key strategic insights:
1. **Accelerating Deep-Sensing Sensor Fusion**: Previously, ground-based targeting networks and high-altitude ISR payloads were procured through independent offices with separate contracting timelines. Merated under PM ATSR, sensor data architecture can be standardized across airborne jet platforms (such as HADES) and ground-based tactical C2 nodes, enabling faster sensor-to-shooter targeting cycles across multi-domain battlefields.
2. **Aligning with Defense Acquisition Overhauls**: The merger reflects broader structural acquisition reforms initiated by Army leadership to streamline Program Executive Offices into focused Portfolio Acquisition Executives. Consolidating redundant program management reduces administrative overhead and is designed to speed capability delivery by 30% or more.
3. **Closing the Range Gap for Large-Scale Combat Operations**: Transitioning from turboprop ISR platforms to high-altitude business jet systems (HADES) requires advanced sensor suites capable of standoff intelligence collection. Unifying aerial and terrestrial sensor development ensures deep-sensing assets integrate directly with ground perimeter defense networks, long-range fires units, and theater-level command posts.
