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