Cross-Service Investigation of Geographical Information Systems

Abstract

This research investigated the armed services current uses of GIS, and asked the question whether or not a joint GIS program could benefit the DOD. An information technology implementation model was presented as a framework to implement a joint GIS program. It was found that all four armed services use GIS for forward deployments. The Army has its Combat Terrain Information System (CTIS). The Navy's digital nautical charts are a GIS. The Marine Corps has created their Geographically Linked Information Display Environment (GLIDE) program, which is similar to a map repository. Finally, the Air Force has its GeoBase program for installation GIS, and GeoReach is the expeditionary deployment base-planning subset. The research methodology combined a case study and a Delphi study. The case study research examined a single Army GIS unit for current GIS implementation methods and uses. The Delphi study asked eight DOD GIS experts their opinions about current GIS uses and the possibility of a joint GIS program. Through the case study and Delphi research, it was found that information flow between the services is limited and that a joint GIS program may bring improved and new planning and executing capabilities for the DOD.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA422497

Entities

People

  • Matthew H. Beverly

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Application Software
  • Civil Engineering
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Employment
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Geography
  • Information Systems
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Students
  • United States Pacific Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Geospatial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence Analytics
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.