3D Battlespace Visualization Using Operational Planning Data
Abstract
In modern combat operations today, the display of operational data is still tied to stove-piped and proprietary systems and software. Additionally, combat systems are still using 2D displays of the battlefield to reflect a picture of the battlefield to the warfighter. Stepping away from stove-piped and proprietary systems and reflecting a 3D picture of the battlefield is the direction that this thesis research explores. Research is conducted to explore technologies needed to provide operational forces with web-based 3D visualizations of operational data. Technologies used in this research are Extensible Mark-up Language (XML), Extensible Stylesheet Language for Transformation (XSLT), JAVA, Extensible 3D Graphics (X3D) and Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML). A prototype application is developed that allows for the 3D display of operational data. The research demonstrates how operational data can be stored in a database and accessed through a web-based 3D representation of the area of operation. Data sets used in this prototype include Digital Terrain Elevation Data and operational planning data. Access to the data is provided through a web-based interface. The web-based view of the data provides both 2D and 3D views. This research shows that current open source technology can provide the warfighter with a web-based 3D view of the battlefield. (2 tables, 43 figures, 18 refs.)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA418592
Entities
People
- Claude O. Hutton Jr
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School