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Military Remote Sensing Applications

Remote sensing technologies like TERCOM and GPS enable precise navigation of cruise missiles. TERCOM uses a pre-recorded contour map that is compared to radar altimeter measurements to guide missiles along terrain-matched paths. This considerably improves accuracy and allows missiles to fly at lower altitudes. GIS systems integrate spatial data like imagery to support military planning, operations, and monitoring activities. GIS integrated with soldier-worn systems like Land Warrior can provide navigation, terrain analysis, and command/control functions to small units on the battlefield.

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Vishnu Jagarlamudi
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145 views17 pages

Military Remote Sensing Applications

Remote sensing technologies like TERCOM and GPS enable precise navigation of cruise missiles. TERCOM uses a pre-recorded contour map that is compared to radar altimeter measurements to guide missiles along terrain-matched paths. This considerably improves accuracy and allows missiles to fly at lower altitudes. GIS systems integrate spatial data like imagery to support military planning, operations, and monitoring activities. GIS integrated with soldier-worn systems like Land Warrior can provide navigation, terrain analysis, and command/control functions to small units on the battlefield.

Uploaded by

Vishnu Jagarlamudi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction to Remote Sensing
  • What is a GIS?
  • Former Cruise Missile Technology
  • TERCOM Technology
  • GIS on the Battlefield
  • GIS Future Integration
  • Benefits of GIS for Small Units
  • Conclusion

Remote Sensing in

Modern Military
Operations

What

is a GIS?
A GIS is a computer system capable of
capturing, storing, analyzing, and
displaying geographically referenced
information; that is, data identified
according to location. Practitioners also
define a GIS as including the
procedures, operating personnel, and
spatial data that go into the system.

GIS makes it possible to link, or


integrate, information that is difficult
to associate through any other means.
Thus, a GIS can use combinations of
mapped variables to build and analyze
new variables .

Former Cruise Missile


Technology
Navigation

Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM)


(later) Global Positioning System (GPS)

Terminal

phase

Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator


(DSMAC)

TERCOM
Terrain Contour Matching, orTERCOM, is a
navigation system used primarily by
cruise missiles. It uses a pre-recorded
contour mapof the terrain that is compared to
measurements made during flight by an onboardradar altimeter. A TERCOM system
considerably increases the accuracy of a missile.
The increased accuracy allows a TERCOMequipped missile to fly closer to obstacles and
generally lower altitudes, making it harder to
detect by ground radar.

Tomahawk Cruise
Missile Track using
TERCOM

TERCOM

Launch

INS
Navigation
Waypoin
t fix
Target

Stored map
Missile track

Multiple raster maps stored (all


with same dimensions)
Maps are DEMS of areas that
have distinct topography
Spatial resolution increases
with each successive map
precision funneling

DSMAC and TERCOM


Accurate 30-100 m
Must obtain data for
entire land surface of
earth

Generate DEM from


high-resolution satellite
imagery

Very inefficient over flat


areascircuitous route
necessary

Radar-altimeter used to compare


elevation of terrain with stored
data

High-resolution imagery
(spatial and radiometric)
Right time of day
correct range of
contrast

GIS on the Battlefield: ESRI

Command and Control

GIS on the Battlefield: ESRI

Mission PlanningThreat Domes

GIS on the Battlefield: ESRI

Military Operations in Urbanized Terrain

GIS on the Battlefield: ESRI

Tracking and Monitoring

The GIS imagery product can serve a number of


functions. Local installation officials can use the
multilayered GIS product to plan additional security
measures to deal with new terrorist threats. These
local officials also can examine infrastructure
issues, such as expansion or return of land to
civilian use, in the context of the effects these
changes would have in a variety of environmental
areas. And, Defense Department officials can
consider all of these factors in determining base
realignment or closure.

The Future: GIS Integrated with


Land Warrior
Land

Warrior System

What GIS can do for small units:

Command and control


For company commanders,
platoon and squad leaders
Track movements and status
of each person and unit
Transmit messages, images,
maps, to individuals
Navigation
View 2D or 3D maps of current
location in multiple views
GPS to direct toward waypoints

Soldier identification and target


discrimination

Friendly troops
Enemy troops
Civilians

GIS for small units:

Terrain analysis
Cross-country mobility
Patrol base analysisOCOKA
Observation

and fields of fire


Cover and concealment
Obstacles
Key terrain
Avenues of approach

Automated real-time data correction

Communication with command center


Field commanders can query GIS analysts at
command center to conduct terrain analysis or
least cost path

Thank you

Remote Sensing in Remote Sensing in Modern Military Modern Military Operations Operations
►What is a GIS? What is a GIS? ►A GIS is a computer system capable of A GIS is a computer system capable of capturing, stor
►A GIS makes it possible to link, or A GIS makes it possible to link, or integrate, information that is difficult integrat
Former Cruise Missile Former Cruise Missile Technology Technology ►Navigation Navigation Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM)
TERCOM TERCOM Terrain Contour Matching Terrain Contour Matching, or  , or TERCOM TERCOM, is a , is a navigation system used
TERCOM TERCOM Target Launch INS Navigation Waypoin t fix Stored map Missile track •Multiple raster maps stored (all with sa
DSMAC and TERCOM DSMAC and TERCOM High-resolution imagery (spatial and radiometric) Radar-altimeter used to compare elevati
GIS on the Battlefield: ESRI GIS on the Battlefield: ESRI Command and Control Command and Control
GIS on the Battlefield: ESRI GIS on the Battlefield: ESRI Mission Planning—Threat Domes Mission Planning—Threat Domes

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