Geospatial Data: Critical to Combat Operations
Abstract
Since the inception of armed conflict, knowledge of the battlespace environment (i.e., terrain and weather) has always been a critical factor in determining the outcome of combat operations. History is replete with stories of how successful warriors used this knowledge for selecting optimum locations for attack, placing artillery for maximum coverage and identifying choke points and likely avenues of approach/escape. The more detailed and timely the terrain and weather information was, the more effectively it could be exploited. And, when intelligence information of enemy location and size could be overlayed on the terrain, the force multiplication effect was exponential. With today's modern weaponry, represented by laser-guided bombs, nap of the earth aircraft, and high-speed armor; knowledge of the battlespace environment is more critical than ever to combat success. Every new weapon, command and control, and intelligence system has a requirement for terrain information. The rapidity and lethality of today's combat operations require commanders at each echelon to know where they are, where their troops are located, and the most likely positions of enemy forces--all on a common three-dimensional reference system. Planning and maneuver operations require a three-dimensional perception of the battlefield, i.e., the associated terrain and natural (e.g., vegetation) or manmade (e.g., road networks) features and targets.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA284739
Entities
People
- Walter E. Boge
Organizations
- Army Geospatial Center