River Eye
Abstract
Early entry maritime forces need maps of morphology, water depths, and currents in complex riverine/estuarine environments for mission planning and execution. This information is critical for route planning, sensor placement, rendezvous determination, vulnerability assessments, and determining objective assault engagement/disengagement strategies. For uncharted and/or denied areas, present methods are inadequate for obtaining this necessary information. Reliable remote sensing methods that produce bathymetry and current water data in waters that are sediment laden (bottom not visible) and/or sheltered (swell and significant wind waves are not likely) do not exist. The River Eye effort provided a new capability to predict or assess, in real time, river and estuary conditions that enable special operations mission planning and execution. New techniques were developed to indirectly determine current speed and direction by remotely sensing advection of scene features. Using advanced modeling techniques, indirectly sensed current data provided bathymetry data. Forward circulation models used the bathymetry data to predict future currents and water heights in a mission planning decision support tool. An initial set of algorithms and processes transitioned to the Navy and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in FY 2010; in FY 2011 the algorithms will be extended to enable night-time capability, and will transition to the Navy and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- 4a1d205691c809428d77a51f5859c381