GeoIntelligence May-June 2014

ISSN 2277 – 3126

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Vol. 4

Enhancing

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Enhancing combat potential GUEST ARTICLES Geoint: Enhancing Combat Power Lt Gen Gautam Banerjee Pg 18 GIS: Enhancing Realism in Air Defence Training Lt Gen VK Saxena DG & Sr Col Comdt, Army AD Pg 24

Chairman MP Narayanan Publisher Sanjay Kumar Managing Editor Lt Gen (Dr) AKS Chandele (Retd) Executive Editor Bhanu Rekha Product Manager Harsha Vardhan Madiraju Assistant Editor Aditi Bhan Sub Editor Trainee Sanskriti Shukla Designed by Debjyoti Mukherjee Circulation Executive Vijay Kumar Singh Owner, Publisher & Printer Sanjay Kumar Printed at M. P. Printers, B - 220, Phase-II, Noida - 201 301, Gautam Budh Nagar (UP) India Publication Address A - 92, Sector - 52, Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida, India Editor Sanjay Kumar Price `100, US$ 10 Geospatial Media and Communications Pvt. Ltd.

UAVS: Enhancing Combat Potential Lt Gen BS Pawar (Retd) Pg 27 IP-geolocation: A Must for Cyber-offensive Commander Mukesh Saini (Retd) Pg 30 Transforming the Next-Generation of Geospatial Analysts Dan London, VP Sales, BAE Systems’ Geospatial eXploitation Products Pg 35

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Events............................................45 Image Intelligence .....................50

Abu Dhabi Police Plans Real-time Traffic Patrol Allocation Hussain Al-Harthei, Traffic and Patrols Directorate, Abu Dhabi Police,Oualid (Walid) Ben Ali, University of Sharjah Atef Garib, Traffic and Patrols Directorate, Abu Dhabi Police Pg 36 Geospatial Arsenal for Homeland Security David J. Alexander, US Department of Homeland Security Pg 38

INTERVIEWS Rob Mott, Vice President, Geospatial Solutions, IGS Pg 16 VAdm Yedidia Yaari (Retd), President and CEO, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Pg 32 Vern Brownell, CEO, D-Wave Systems Pg 42

EVENT REPORT Geoint Symposium 2013 Pg 46

3 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

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Editorial

Geographical Information Systems Enable Combat Operations

T

echnological and organisational changes in the last three decades have resulted in a Revolution in Military Affairs which has transformed armed forces the world over. No longer is it mere numbers that will decide the outcome of a conflict. State-of-the-art surveillance systems providing real-time intelligence enable commanders to take quick decisions, conveyed through robust, secure communications to networked troops and platforms with precision guided weapons.

Whether on land, at sea, in the air, space or cyber space, each element of this sensor, decision maker, shooter cycle relies heavily on GIS. In simplistic terms, GIS can be stated to be a system of hardware, software and procedures designed to support the capture, management, manipulation, analysis, modelling and display of spatially referenced data.

Unlike earlier days, the modern battlefield will have no fixed or clearly defined boundaries. The enemy can attack targets well in-depth using his air assets and stand-off weapon systems. This is all the more true in the case of attacks by non-state actors such as terrorists and insurgents. There is, therefore, a need for comprehensive surveillance to gather intelligence about enemy and own dispositions and movements. Similarly, to be able to launch a surprise attack and destroy enemy’s critical infrastructure, troops and weapon systems, we should have real-time information regarding their location.

Situational awareness is achieved through integration of all Intelligence, Surveillance (sensors deployed on ground, at sea, in the air and in space) and Reconnaissance (ISR) along with their spatial context.

Logistics is an essential requirement of warfare, from the movement of troops, supply of food, fuel, ammunition, to the repair and maintenance of weapons and equipment and transportation and treatment of casualties. Decisions regarding location of logistics infrastructure and facilities in the supply chain need to be based on geospatial information. Transport plans can be optimised based on availability of geospatial information regarding routes, trafficability, obstacles, vulnerability to enemy action, etc. Providing efficient logistic support in fast paced mobile operations is a challenge for which accurate geospatial information is a prerequisite.

Lt Gen (Dr) AKS Chandele PVSM, AVSM (Retd) Managing Editor

ajay@geospatialmedia.net

Thorough knowledge of terrain has always been of importance to defence forces. This was earlier restricted to maps, varying in scale, detail and vintage, with suspect accuracy. Aerial imagery and remote sensing have revolutionised the techniques of map making. Geospatial information in the form of digital maps and satellite imagery are available to commanders today enabling them to take decisions in a digital battlefield environment.

Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

The selection and acquisition of targets and attacking them with precision weapons is the final phase of the cycle. Weapon technology today has developed to a stage where a small target can be attacked from large distances by a precision weapon system, ensuring maximum punishment without the risk of any collateral damage. For this to be successful, the real-time relative positions of weapon systems and targets are essential to compute the flight path of an attacking weapon system. Same is true when designing an effective defence system against enemy attacks.

5

news

6 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

Senstar Unveils New Ranging Fence-Mounted Sensor Senstar has unveiled FlexZone, a new state-of-the-art ranging fence-mounted sensor. With three meter location accuracy, FlexZone enables flexible zoning through software. Compared to non-ranging systems, FlexZone reports remarkably fewer nuisance alarms while maintaining a high probability of detection, said the company. It can detect and localise multiple simultaneous intrusions and provides many features that speed installation time.

End users demand better performance when securing their critical sites, but want to reduce their total installed cost. To achieve this objective FlexZone supports 600m (1,968 feet) of sensor cable per processor, creates zones through software, and carries power and data on the sensor cable to dramatically reduce the costs of supporting infrastructure for large sites, added the company. Furthermore, for small sites FlexZone can provide one box solution with up to 4 zones reported by local relays.

Installers want a speedy risk-free installation process and FlexZone delivers this with numerous ease-of-use features such as pre-installed openings with cable glands, convenient USB connection for setup, and a single software setup tool for all phases of the installation, it further claims.

Lockheed Martin to Support Reconnaissance Aircraft System The US Air Force Life Cycle Management

Center has awarded Lockheed Martin a foreign military sales contract to support the Republic of Korea’s Peace Krypton reconnaissance aircraft system. The contract is valued at approximately USD 9 million. The Peace Krypton system is used for tactical intelligence and comprises militarised business jets and ground stations that process data from the aircraft.

Lockheed Martin’s sustainment work scope involves maintenance of the aircraft fleet, which includes spare and repair parts, as well as providing support and test equipment for both the aircraft and its fixed and mobile ground stations.

The company will also provide software development and software upgrades as needed to modernise the reconnaissance system.

Exelis Completes Transmitter Assemblies for GPS III Satellites Exelis has completed and tested six transmitter assemblies, which are integral payload components for the first in a series of the next generation of GPS III navigation satellites. The navigation payload transmitters carry high-powered GPS signals from space to Earth, benefitting military, commercial and civilian users. To ensure the space vehicle navigation payload meets performance requirements over the mission life, Exelis subjected the transmitter assemblies to a rigorous test programme which includes random vibration, pyroshock and thermal vacuum testing which replicates space-like conditions that envelope the launch vehicle, deployment and on-orbit environments.

GPS III is a crucial programme for the US Air Force, affordably replacing the aging constellation of GPS satellites currently in orbit. Compared to prior GPS vehicles, GPS III satellites are expected to deliver three times better accuracy, provide up to

Courtesy: Exelis

eight times more powerful anti-jamming capabilities and include enhancements that extend spacecraft life 25 per cent further. These satellites will also carry a new civil signal designed to be interoperable with other international global navigation satellite systems, enhancing civilian user connectivity.

DigitalGlobe Introduces 50cm TRUE DigitalGlobe has introduced the product name 50 cm TRUE for its highest resolution satellite imagery products. The satellite images have a resolution better than 50 cm at nadir (directly overhead) and deliver

Courtesy: DigitalGlobe

NEWS US Awards 20 New Defence Contracts The Department of Defense, US, has awarded a total of 20 separate defence contracts worth USD 618.4 million combined. Some of the companies which have received the contract are Textron Marine Land Systems, Zimmer US, BAE Systems, Boeing and Black and Veatch Special Projects. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Texas, has been awarded a USD 6,882,489 firm-fixed-price modification (P00026) to contract (FA861510-C-6051) to develop, deliver and install 20 advanced countermeasure electronics system-system integrity (ACES SI) retrofit kits, modify 24 radar warning receivers and procure three electronic warfare memory loader verifiers for F-16C/D (16 C’s and 4 D’s) Block 52 aircraft. This award is the result of a source-directed/sole-source acquisition and is 100 per cent foreign military sales for Egypt.

Indus Technology, US, is being awarded a potential USD 21,797,616 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to support the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific’s (SSC Pacific) Radio Frequency and Network Systems Support Division to provide satel-

lite communications, radio frequency and navigation systems support services. The three-year contract includes two, one-year options, which if exercised, would bring the potential value of this contract to an estimated USD 36,825,493.

CAE Wins Series of Contracts CAE has announced that it has won a series of contracts valued at more than USD 127.48 million to provide a range of training systems and services for global defence customers. These include four P-8A simulators sold to Boeing for the United States Navy, a contract to provide an SW4 helicopter simulator for the Polish Air Force, various contracts to provide the German Air Force with a range of training support services, and a contract to provide lifecycle support and maintenance services for PWN’s AW139 simulator in Malaysia.

Lockheed Martin Bags Contract for 7 and 8 Satellites of GPS III The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems of Denver a contract modification worth USD 246 million for the seventh and eighth satellites in the

Courtesy: Lockheed Martin

next-generation GPS III positioning, navigation and timing constellation, according to the Pentagon. Work on the seventh and eighth GPS III satellites is expected to be completed in April 2018 and October 2018,

respectively. In February, the Defense Department announced it was awarding Lockheed Martin USD 14 million to order long-lead components for the spacecraft.

The GPS III satellites are designed to provide more accurate navigation signals that are also more resistant to both intentional and unintentional interference. The first GPS III satellite is expected to be launched in April 2016, two years later than originally planned, due to a number of glitches including difficulties by subcontractor Exelis in developing the main payload.

L-3 Linkabit Introduces Embeddable NCW Modems L-3 Linkabit has added two new embeddable modems to its net-

Courtesy: L-3 Linkabit

work-centric waveform product line. The MPM-2000 NCW IP modem delivers full mesh, SATCOM-on-the-move networking in a compact form factor designed to be installed in combat vehicles. The MPM2500 NCW board set provides full-mesh, ad hoc networking to manpack and suitcase satellite terminals. Both modems offer the capabilities of L-3’s DISA/ ARSTRAT-certified RMPRM-1000 NCW modem. “With our new NCW modem and modem board set offerings, we are able to provide embeddable, low-SWaP NCW to any terminal, as well as the lightest, most powerful modem capability on the battlefield,” said Elissa Seidenglanz, Senior Vice President of Division Operations and Deputy General Manager of L-3 Linkabit.

7 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

minimum 5 m CE90 accuracy. Although, DigitalGlobe has been delivering true 50 cm imagery since the last five years, the new product line was created to inform customers about the quality of images.

The satellite imagery provider claims to be the only commercial provider of native 50 cm satellite imagery, according to an official blog. Three out of the five satellites in DigitalGlobe’s constellation are capable of collecting imagery at 50 cm resolution or better, and with WorldView-3 ready to launch this summer, the company believes that it will be able to collect imagery down to almost 30 cm resolution.

news

Elbit wins Contract to Sell UAVs to Brazil Elbit Systems has received a contract from Brazilian Air Force (FAB) to sell Hermes 900 UAV to the country.

Brazil will use the Hermes 900, Courtesy: Elbit along with its existing Hermes 450 UAVs, to provide security for the 2014 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament in June. The medium-altitude UAV which can fly at up to 30,000 feet will be equipped with a new and advanced intelligence gathering system and can carry nearly 800-pound payload. It can be guided from the same ground station that controls the smaller Hermes 450. The UAVs are expected to provide Brazil with a unique solution for intelligence missions, border protection, perimeter control of infrastructure and critical sites, as well as Safe City programmes and large scale events,” said the company.

8 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

SAIC wins Contract for Anti-Submarine Warfare Sensor Systems Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has been awarded a contract by the Avionics Department (AIR-4.5) at the Naval Air Systems Command, US, to provide technical and scientific research, development, integration, analysis, assessment, and test and evaluation of its Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) sensor systems. The multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract has a fiveyear period of performance, and a total contract ceiling value of approximately USD 50 million available to all awardees.

AIR-4.5 develops advanced sensors and systems that support a variety of aviation missions. Most of the sensors will be air deployed via manned or unmanned aircraft, but ground, surface and undersea deployable sensors may also be included when mission driven.

Under the contract, SAIC will provide planning, coordination, technology development, systems definition, systems acquisition, systems integration, modification, and product support for manned and unmanned platform avionics and sensors in support of the Acoustic Systems Division and the Electro-Optics and Special Mission Systems Division.

Additionally, SAIC will provide the development and modification of ASW sensor systems and the equipment used to develop, integrate, test and evaluate avionics systems.

Harris to Supply Falcon III Radios to International Customer Picture Harris Corporation has received USD 82 million in orders from an international customer for radio communication systems that enable enhanced command and control and real-time situational awareness. The nation’s armed forces are acquiring Falcon III RF-7800H wideband high-frequency (HF) and RF-7800V very-high-frequency (VHF) radios in

Courtesy: Harris

handheld, man-portable, vehicular and tactical base station configurations.

These systems provide wideband tactical networking to the edge of the battlefield, as well as interoperable line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight voice and data communications. The systems allow forces to communicate securely and more immediately with their command structure, enabling more informed decisions.

“Our secure tactical communication products and system solutions enable armed forces to deploy quickly and manage missions in real time. The Harris solution allows headquarters staff to monitor and coordinate forward operating units, dismounted troops, vehicles and airborne assets. These systems have applications in a wide variety of scenarios; including corps-sized maneuvers, border control and disaster relief,” said Brendan O’Connell, President, International business, Harris RF Communications.

According to the company, the radio is the first to enable users to send images and other battle management data over high-frequency beyond-line-of-sight environments faster than they could through satellite communications.

RF-7800H is 20 per cent smaller and up to 10 times faster than legacy HF radios and is fully compatible with widely deployed Harris Falcon II HF radios and accessories.

US Army to Accelerate Geoint Analysis with Esri Templates Esri has provided a revised set of customised templates to the US Army for use with its distributed common ground system-army (DCGS-A). Featuring maps, analytic capabilities and other visualisation tools, the easy-to-use templates are designed to help geospatial engineers, intelligence analysts and geoint imagery analysts to rapidly make products to support requests from commanders. Working in collaboration with analysts and specialists at the US Army Intelligence Center of Excellence at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Esri staff refined the template requirements and also customised them to match the DCGS-A workflows.

The DCGS-A is the army’s primary system for posting data, processing information, and disseminating intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) information about the threat, weather and terrain for intelligence analysts and commanders.

The Global C4ISR Market to Reach USD 93bn by 2019 A new report called ‘C4ISR Market (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Land Systems, Airborne Systems and Naval Systems) (2014-2019)’

by MarketsandMarkets, has revealed that the global C4ISR market is expected to register a CAGR of 2.28 per cent to reach USD 93.04 billion by 2019. The report provides market analysis of the global C4ISR market over the next five years. It contains the analysis of drivers, challenges and restraints impacting the industry.

It also discusses the industry, market, and technology trends that are currently prevailing in the global C4ISR market.

Some key highlights of the report: the continued requirement for integrated solutions and interoperability will be the driving factors for the global C4ISR market. Austerity leading to defense budget cuts are said to continue at least till 2016 in two major western markets of the United States and the United Kingdom. The major market players are from the United States and Europe; these players have the technical know-how and are now looking towards the emerging economies. Transitioning Markets include most of the major emerging countries like Turkey, Indonesia, Australia and Brazil. The current trend of the market is its transition towards faster and efficient systems. The market will require more consolidation and integration of C4ISR systems across all

platforms to gain competitive advantage.

Airborne Systems will have the highest the CAGR across all platforms and will account for 40 per cent of the market share in the forecast period. There will be an increasing demand in UAVs, sensors, synthetic aperture radars, mobility solutions, biometrics, geospatial solutions and cyber security.

Unmanned systems will present a large growth area for C4ISR technology.

Serco bags Electronic Surveillance Systems Contract Serco has won an indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to support the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) Security Systems Branch, US. Serco will provide life cycle sustainment, integration, acquisition and technical support for anti-terrorism/force protection for Naval Electronic Surveillance Systems to Department of Defense agencies.

The USD 46 million three-year, multiple award contract vehicle includes two oneyear option periods which, if exercised, would bring the potential ceiling value of this award to approximately USD 77 million. This is one of the three contracts awarded; and each awardee will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. The company will support systems that provide the capability to receive/transmit orders, receive and process information into situational awareness displays, support

command decision processes and communicate electronic data to multi-service, multi-agency nodes across the entire all hazards/all-threats spectrum of ashore and afloat operations. Many systems are considered mission critical and are life and safety support systems.

NGA Joins GitHub, Offers Code to Help Disaster Response The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has joined GitHub, a popular social network that allows programmers to collaborate and share computer code between users. The network allows developers to modify, distribute and perform work on the code — either to improve NGA’s product, or for their own use. Participating on GitHub will make it possible for other organisations to benefit from the agency’s development efforts. NGA hopes to reap benefits in innovation, creativity, and the power of a far-reaching community of programmers who approach the development of the programme from different perspectives.

NGA began by sharing its code for GeoQ, a tool the agency developed to assist with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Recovery (HADR) efforts. The tool was further refined in partnership with FEMA and has since begun to be used as the backbone of a shared disaster response solution across the US government and first-responder community. “It’s critical we identify more ways to be innovative, reduce costs and integrate efforts across the intelligence

Exelis has been awarded a five-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract by the US Army Contracting Command to provide radio appliqués capable of running the Army Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW). The contract has a potential ceiling of USD 988 million and also includes five one-year options that can be exercised at the Army’s discretion. The appliqué will host SRW, a waveform developed by Exelis which operates in the UHF and L-Band frequency ranges and provides an affordable second channel solution to Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS) vehicular radio installations.

The initial Exelis offering on this contract is the SideHat, a radio specifically developed for the vehicular electromagnetic and physical environment experienced on the battlefield. Exelis designed SideHat to easily integrate with SINCGARS, the primary tactical communications backbone for the US Army with nearly 600,000 fielded. SINCGARS with SideHat and SRW provides a system solution with up to four-channels (2 SRW and 2 VHF). It provides dismounted soldiers the ability to communicate both voice and data to mounted soldiers in vehicles within a larger network.

Courtesy: Exelis

9 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

Exelis Bags USD 1 Billion Contract for Combat Radio

news community and all of government. It’s a new way of thinking for us, and it is exactly the kind of thing we need to be doing,” said NGA Director Letitia Long.

“GeoQ provides workflow management and integrates imagery and analysis from multiple sources, such as photos from smartphones and news broadcast footage, to help identify disaster areas and extent of damage. It enables analysts to review imagery from different sources simultaneously, rather than sequentially, which results in faster damage assessments and better prioritisation of limited first-responder resources in a time-sensitive environment. We built GeoQ on all open-source frameworks to make it easily shareable with our mission and response partners. This allows them to integrate the software into their own visual display systems.

What we’re hoping for now is to spark interaction with the GitHub communities to improve the code. As long as you have access to the Internet, you can be a part of the solution,” said Ray Bauer, Technology lead for NGA’s Readiness, Response and Recovery team.

10 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

Boeing Adds Live Video-tagging to Geospatial Data Management Tool Boeing has upgraded its DataMaster geospatial data management software with real-time text-tagging of live streaming video, improving situational awareness for defence and intelligence community customers. This new capability, along with other updates in the latest version of DataMaster, will result in faster cataloguing and retrieval of data and more robust and precise analytics of imagery, video, maps and terrain, said the company.

DataMaster 5.3 software upgrades, available to new and current customers of the product, include the following features: Real-time text-tagging of live-stream video footage for better file management, cataloguing and sourcing; Support for 32-bit Geo-referenced Tagged Image File Format (GeoTIFF) and National Imagery Transmission Format (NITF) data improving precision and ability to handle more data types; Streaming of and image format conversion to JPEG2000 images as well as JPIP (JPEG 2000 Interactive Protocol) streaming for improved image review; Expanded metadata support for GeoTIFF and NITF imagery.

Airbus Defense and Space Launches WorldDEM Airbus Defense and Space has commercially launched WorldDEM, a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) which provides pole-to-pole accurate coverage.

The new model is based on data acquired by the high-resolution radar satellites TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X which produce a global DEM at HRTE3 level.

WorldDEM offers a standardised global DEM with no regional or national border divides. This homogenous coverage will equip defence customers with a new level of precision for military applications, mission planning and operations, said the company. For commercial aviation, the new model will provide improved input data for a range of flight systems. Beyond aviation and defence applications, the new model also has a wide variety of potential uses in oil, gas and mineral exploration, in addition to serving as high-quality base data in the field of ortho-rectification of aerial or satellite imagery.

sustainment, integration, acquisition, and technical support for Naval Electronic Surveillance Systems (NESS) to the US Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) Security Systems Branch. The three-year, multiple-award contract has a base value of USD 42 million and includes two oneyear options for a potential ceiling value of USD 71 million. This is one of three contracts awarded; each awardee will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This contract represents new work for CACI and expands its presence in its C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) market. Under the terms of the contract, CACI will provide lifecycle support for Anti-Terrorism/ Force Protection (AT/FP) electronic surveillance systems to the Department of Defense and other government agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security.

Harris Inks Satellite Broadband Contract with US Navy

Xyratex Unveils New Addition to Data Storage Solutions

The US Navy has awarded Harris Corporation an eight-year contract valued at up to USD 133 million to provide shipboard terminals that give crews access to high-bandwidth voice and data communications.

Harris will provide up to 120 terminals in addition to the 70 terminals already delivered since 2008 under the indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity Commercial Broadband Satellite Programme (CBSP) Unit Level Variant (ULV) contract. The new award brings the total potential value to more than USD 250 million through 2022.

The programme provides worldwide, commercial, end-to-end telecommunications services to the Navy. The 1.3-meter Harris terminals offer X-band operation over existing military satellites, and the option of military/commercial Ka-band operation for future deployed satellite systems. They support essential mission requirements and provide high-speed Internet access and video communications on small combatant and support ships. Harris terminals also are used onboard Navy amphibious assault ships.

Xyratex, a Seagate company, has unveiled a new addition to the ClusterStor family of High Performance Computing (HPC) and Big Data engineered storage solutions — the ClusterStor Secure Data Appliance (SDA). Designed to meet government ICD 503 and Cross Domain Solution (CDS) requirements, the ClusterStor SDA solution provides multilevel security capabilities combined with the industry’s fastest storage

CACI to Provide Lifecycle Support of C4ISR Systems to US CACI International has been selected as a prime contractor to provide lifecycle

Courtesy: Xyratex

US Navy to Purchase Virginia-Class Submarines from General Dynamics The US Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a contract valued at USD 17.6 billion for the construction of 10 additional Virginia-class submarines. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. The multi-year Block IV contract enables Electric Boat and its industry teammate, Newport News Shipbuilding, to proceed with the construction of two ships per year over a five-year period. The 10th ship to be procured under this contract is scheduled for delivery in 2023.

Virginia-class submarines are designed from the keel up for the full range of 21st century mission requirements, including anti-submarine and surface ship warfare and special operations support, according to the company. These submarines are said to excel in littoral and open-ocean environments and can collect intelligence critical to irregular warfare efforts with advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Unobtrusive, non-provocative and connected with land, air, sea and space-based assets, these versatile and powerful vessels are a core component of the Navy fleet and support national security interests.

Northrop Grumman to Deliver FlightPro Gen III Computers to US Navy The Navy has awarded a low-rate initial production contract to Northrop Grumman to deliver FlightPro Gen III mission computers for the AH-1Z and UH-1Y Marine Corps helicopters. The USD 10.6 million contract will provide the Navy with mission computers for H-1 helicopter flight tests, system integration laboratories and training. The FlightPro Gen III mission computer is capable of integrating advanced mission, weapons and video processing capabilities into a conduction cooled, high performance airborne computer, said the company.

The latest model, FlightPro Gen III, features the newest computing technology in multiple partitioned, 8-core PowerPC-based processors. It offers increased computing resources and an extended lifetime due to long-term product support from suppliers, according to a spokesperson from the company. The fully qualified mission computer is easily configurable for different system requirements by leveraging commercial off-the-shelf technology, model-based software design and an open systems architecture. The computer can provide a partitioned computing environment to customers around the world and is compatible with rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft as well as unmanned aerial systems. The Marine Corps is planning to incorporate Gen III computers in all future aircraft.

Courtesy: Northrop Grumman

Arcturus UAV Unveils Long Endurance UAVs Arcturus UAV has recently revealed development efforts on their JUMP-25 and CAT-25 long endurance UAVs. The JUMP25, vertical takeoff and landing capable, will have a larger fuselage and wingspan and more powerful VTOL and tractor motors than the recently announced JUMP15 and JUMP-20 models. The CAT-25 will be a larger version of the company’s T-20 catapult launched UAV. The new JUMP25 and CAT-25 UAVs will integrate Cloud Cap Technology’s new TASE500.

TASE500 is believed to exceed the capabilities of the venerable L3 Wescam MX10. It is a 10 inch, 27 lb. imaging payload that provides an All-HD, fully integrated solution utilising ViewPoint Tactical PED software with market leading SWaP, said the company.

In addition to the TASE500, the new air vehicles will be capable of simultaneously carrying other payloads such as the WGS Europa SIGINT package and the Artemis SlimSAR. This marks the first time that a Tier II UAV has offered this level of high-performance, multi-payload capability. Arcturus will use Cloud Cap technology’s new Piccolo III autopilot with triple redundant IMU and auxiliary mission payload processor. The new JUMP and CAT air vehicles will be integrated with

Arcturus’s compact, portable ground control station which allows control of the company’s air vehicles. Endurance on a fully loaded CAT-25 is estimated at 14 hours. With a light payload endurance will stretch to 20 hours. JUMP-25 carrying the TASE500 has a planned endurance of 12 hours. Heavier load outs are optional.

Arcturus JUMP air vehicles take off and land vertically with quad rotors mounted to the wings. JUMP air vehicles require no runway or launcher for operation.

Global Military Satellite Market to Grow by 3.7% Between 2014 - 2024’ Reportlinker.com has unveiled a new market research report called ‘Global Military Satellite Market 2014-2024’. The report published by Strategic Defence Intelligence, provides readers with a detailed analysis of both historic and forecast global industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of industry leading companies and key news.

Some of the factors from the report are: • The global military satellite market is expected to experience a growth of 3.74 per cent during 2014-2024; • Communication satellites segment is expected to dominate the military satellite market with a share of 51.

6 per cent;

11 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

performance and largest data capacity available today for productivity critical HPC and Big Data applications. The new ClusterStor solution features end-to-end integration, management and world-class support providing unmatched capability and investment protection in addition to the new multilevel security enhancements.

ClusterStor’s innovative modular architecture enables linear performance scalability from several gigabytes per second (GB/s) to over a 1.0 terabytes per second and flexible data storage capacity deployments ranging from tens of terabyte (TB) to over 25 petabyte (PB) of data storage capacity, all managed within a single global name space.

The ClusterStor SDA is ideally suited for mission critical government applications, such as Geospatial imagery capture which requires high performance ingest rates, massively parallel data access to support intensive data analysis and large data storage capacity archive, said the company.

12 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

news • The militaries are increasingly depending on commercial satellite service providers for their additional bandwidth needs.

The report also provides an in-depth analysis of the following: global military satellites market size and drivers, detailed analysis of the military satellite market during 2014-2024 including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators for military satellites. It also provides a snapshot of the spending patterns and modernisation patterns of different regions around the world. It offers insights into technological developments in the military satellites market and a detailed analysis of the changing preferences of the defence ministries around the world.

required for installment on Department of Defense (DoD) networks. STIG-approval demonstrates that AirWatch provides government customers with solutions that follow mobile code risk categories and usage guides. According to the company, adding that these standards confirm that AirWatch implementation is consistent with DoD cybersecurity policies, standards, architectures, security controls and validation procedures.

General Electric and ANSYS Enter into Strategic Partnership

Russia to Sell S-400 Missile System to China

ANSYS and GE Aviation have established a new joint technology collaboration agreement that will help solve future engineering challenges and drive product development processes in a world of smart products and big data, said the company. Both organisations recognise the value of cutting-edge research and are jointly aligned in their desire to spur innovation by creatively applying simulation to the manufacturing and industrial space.

The two will work together over a range of applications to establish forward-looking analysis techniques that leverage expertise from both parties. In the first project under this agreement, ANSYS and GE Aviation will investigate industry data to create new engineering best practices associated with the accurate analysis of some of GE’s core industrial products. Projects may include simulation of system-level product performance, enhanced by live data, to predict overall system efficiency and maximise product life.

Russia will sell its S-400 air defence guided missile system to China, according to reports. The sale is expected to give Beijing an edge in the airspace of the Taiwan Strait and over islands in the East China Sea. Export sales of the system may not begin until 2016. China is said to have been interested in acquiring the guided missile system since 2011. It is not clear though how many systems China wishes to acquire but reports say that it wants enough systems to equip two to four battalions.

AirWatch Software to Operate on US Department of Defense Networks AirWatch recently announced that the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Field Security Operations (FSO) has released the AirWatch MDM Software 6.5 Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) Version 1 for immediate use. The certification validates that AirWatch, one of only two STIG-approved mobile device management (MDM) providers, meets the security restrictions

five years for developing electronic warfare products. BEL will jointly work with DRDO for the project.

BEL manufactures and supplies a range of products, including radars, electronic warfare system, missiles and sonars, etc., to the armed forces. The company together with DRDO and ECIL has developed a mobile integrated electronic warfare system ‘Samyukta’. The system is used for surveillance, direction finding, analysis, interception and jamming of all communication and radar signals.

Astra Air-to-Air Missile Successfully Test Fired

BEL to Invest USD 100 M in EW Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) is planning to invest USD 100 million over the next

India’s first indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air‐to‐Air missile ASTRA has been successfully test fired by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Designed and developed by DRDO, ASTRA possesses high Single Shot Kill Probability (SSKP). It is an all weather missile with active radar terminal guidance, excellent ECCM features, smokeless propulsion and process improved effectiveness in multi‐target scenario making it a highly advanced, state‐of the‐art missile, according to DRDO. “Astra’s successful launch from the Su30 combat aircraft is a major step in missile aircraft integration. Extensive flight testing that has preceded the air launch was indeed a joint effort of DRDO and IAF. This will be followed by launch against actual target shortly. Many more trials are planned and will be conducted to clear the launch envelope. Weapon integra-

India Successfully Tests Nuclear-Capable Missile India has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Prithvi II missile, as part of a user trial by the Army. The missile, having a range of 350 km, is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads.

The missile is thrust by liquid propulsion twin engines and uses advanced inertial guidance system with maneuvering trajectory. Prithvi-II is the first missile to be developed by DRDO under the country’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

Courtesy: Hindu Jagruti

France, UK Sign USD 827 Million Anti-Ship Missile Deal

Courtesy: DNA

A new prototype of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Matsya 3.0 has been unveiled by students and faculty of IIT-Bombay. Priced at Rs 22 lakh, this third edition of AUV is equipped with a geo locator. The maximum depth that the vehicle can reach is 150-feet. Matsya 3.0 can be used for surveillance, marine research and debris reconnaissance puposes.

UK Awards Bowman Radio Logistic Support Contract to General Dynamics The Ministry of Defence, UK, has awarded two five-year contracts to General Dynamics UK to support the Bowman radio system used by UK armed forces personnel. General Dynamics UK will provide design, engineering and logistic

Courtesy: General Dynamics

Britain and France are going to develop new anti-ship missiles in a USD 827 million project. MBDA is reported to have been awarded the contract. The company will produce the helicopter-mounted missiles which utilise sophisticated homing technology to attack small and medium-sized targets. The Royal Navy of UK plans to use the missiles on its new Wildcat helicopters. The deal is seen as a significant step in joint working on complex weapons between the two nations.

Courtesy: UNOSAT

USD 83 million, within the Italian Soldato Futuro programme. The company will be providing Software Defined Radio (SDR) portable terminals and TM-NVG (Tactical Mobility Night Vision Goggles) to the Italian Army. The Soldato Futuro programme, currently being developed with the Italian Army, will lead to the complete modernisation of the systems and equipment of soldiers, aligning their operating capacities with the requirements of current and future scenarios, said the company. The first

UNOSAT Releases Report on Global Maritime Piracy UNOSAT has released a global report on maritime piracy. The report is said to constitute the first global geospatial analysis on the issue. What started with identifying captured ships, delivering humanitarian assistance and other goods using satellite imagery later expanded to regional geospatial analyses for the western Indian Ocean. The current report assesses piracy at the global level. This research includes detailed geospatial analyses, while relating findings to complementary factors, including references to specific examples illustrating the complexity of the piracy issue. The report also covers the financial aspects of global piracy, as well as anti-piracy activities and future outlooks in a changing meteorological climate.

The work takes into account studies from different sources, such as UN sister agencies, academia, insurance industry, shipping companies, European Commission and the World Bank.

Selex to sell Radios, Night Vision Gear to Italian Army Selex ES has won two contracts worth

Courtesy: Selex

Indian Institute Unveils Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

support for the radio system that is used by service personnel across the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Bowman radios allow personnel on land, at sea and in the air to communicate on operations around the world. The radios use an encrypted frequency to share intelligence and increase situational awareness and have seen extensive service in Afghanistan by troops on patrol, on Royal Navy ships during relief efforts in the Philippines, and by the Royal Air Force when providing air support to land operations.

supply consists of 2726 radio SDR HandHelds through which the Italian Army’s light infantry troops will be equipped with new wideband communication systems.

The SDR, which represents the most cutting-edge synthesis of radio and IT transmissions, is a new-concept platform able to host various waveforms interoperable with systems already in use and future ones, as per the company.

The second acquisition concerns 2726 TM-NVG night vision goggles, a third-generation binocular device developed to provide state-of-the-art equipment for the nocturnal tactical mobility of the Future Soldier. This apparatus has been designed

13 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

tion with ‘Tejas’ Light Combat Aircraft will also be done in the near future,” said Avinash Chander, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and DG, DRDO.

news

to display all the information and map data provided by the Command and Control system on the eye-piece.

The goggles also feature an integrated camera able to return the observed scene to the Command and Control system.

Hardware and software developments are expected to provide the soldier with yet further functions and for individual navigation, with the idea of further improving mobility in low-visibility conditions.

of 500km and is scheduled to be deployed in forces in 2015. The missile development forms part of follow-up measures after the revision of missile guidelines by South Korea and the US in 2012.

Northrop Grumman Partners with DSTO

The Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and Northrop Grumman have signed a strategic alliance to conduct collaborative research in a range of advanced defence technologies. Under the agreement, the two will collaborate on projects of mutual interest and DSTO will have access to Northrop Grumman’s specialised defence knowledge.

ASIA PACIFIC “This agreement is a further demonstration of our commitment to Australia and to the defence organisation. Northrop Grumman has significant experience in C4ISR, electronic warfare and unSouth Korea Successfully manned systems. We’ve seen significant Test-fires its Long-Range developments in these areas in recent Ballistic Missile years and they will continue to transform South Korea is reported to have develdefence forces around the world,” said oped a long-range ballistic missile to Ian Irving, Chief Executive, Northrop boost its defence against missile threats from North Korea. The missile has a range Grumman Australia.

Australia to Buy Drones from the US Australia is likely to purchase drones from the US. The fleet, to be based in Adelaide, will be used for maritime surveillance and commercial purposes. The drones are currently being tested by the US navy.

The number of UAVs to be purchased is yet to be determined.

Courtesy: Wikipedia

The MQ-4C Triton drones can cruise at altitudes up to 55,000 feet and can remain airborne for up to 33 hours. Its size is comparable to a small aircraft with a wingspan of 131 feet.

now Online!

The world of GeoInt at your fingertips Geospatial Media and Communications launches www.geointworld.net - A Resource Portal for the Global Geoint Community

product watch

Vector Hawk SUAS

TacSat Razor Antenna Weighing around 1kg, the TacSat Razor Antenna provides front-line forces with robust, lightweight, on-the-move, high performance, and tactical satellite communications. It uses patented product design to offer a rapid deployment antenna in the UHF tacsat band. It is designed specifically for physically demanding battlefield conditions.

Innovative and patented construction and deployment technologies make it easy and quick to deploy; and able to be operated in a hands free mode, keeping troops both ready for action and fully informed. The TacSat Razor Antenna can be simply attached to the side of a standard military rucksack. Alternatively, it can be mounted on a standard tripod or camera spike or on a vehicle using a magnetic mount. Users simply pull a strap to launch the antenna from its housing. The antenna is withdrawn back into the container by pulling the same strap in the other direction. A modular construction facilitates cleaning and eases of repair in the field. The TacSat Razor Antenna reduces time to deploy; and eliminates the soldier ‘down time’ incurred by less effective ergonomic designs. It is environmentally qualified to Mil Std 810-G and is IP68 rated for water immersion.

Designed for versatility and affordability, the new Lockheed Martin Vector Hawk addresses a broad set of unique missions and operating needs within a single system. It has a gross takeoff weight of only four pounds and a vertical profile of four inches. Vector Hawk features fully autonomous flight, landing and fail-safes. It is inaudible at operational slant ranges. The data link features a high bandwidth software defined radio, mesh networking (including 3G, 4G, and LTE cellular), over-the-air reconfiguration, and is capable of employing a variety of waveforms. With an open architecture, reconfigurable variants, adaptable data link, and scalable payload, Vector Hawk is said to be engineered for unmatched capability.

The Vector Hawk can be field reconfigured to multiple missions including fixed-wing, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and tilt-rotor enabling VTOL with transition to fixed wing flight.

The fixed wing variants may be hand or tube launched, and VTOL and tilt-rotor variants may be launched from land or water surfaces.

The Vehicle Integrated Power Enhanced Rifleman (VIPER) is a vehicle mounted SRW radio designed to extend the operational range of the SRW network by providing 20 Watts of amplification. VIPER provides ‘Jerk and Run’ access to an installed AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radio or AN/PRC-154A Rifleman Radio, providing operators with an instant transition between mounted and dismounted operations. VIPER is jointly developed by Thales and Ultralife.

Features and Benefits • Continuous transmission of Position Location Information (PLI) enables situational awareness and blue force tracking • Supports hands-free display and external computer interface • User-friendly audible Human Machine Interface (HMI), that is, audio indicators for preset, GPS position, and battery status • Actively participates in one talk group while simultaneously monitoring two other talk groups

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VIPER Mounted Rifleman Radio System

Interview

Shaping Future

Combat Operations Intergraph Government Solutions (IGS) helps the US government create intelligent maps, analyse geointelligence, and transform complex data from disparate sources into real-time actionable information.

However, understanding the relationships among different sets of intelligence captured from different sources based on common time stamps is a real challenge, feels Rob Mott, Vice President, Geospatial Solutions, IGS

Geospatial intelligence capabilities have accelerated over the last 10 years, in particular. In your opinion, what have been some of the major innovations?

The rise of commercial off-the-shelf software applications that adhere to open standards for geospatial data storage and sharing have provided major benefits to the defence and intelligence communities. For example, our ERDAS and GeoMedia technologies are built on Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards. These standards allow users to access a wide range of data and geospatial processes from industry, government and academia. The flexibility to mix and match data and capabilities from different sources has been a game changer for the intelligence community. Plus, this diversity of technology inherently accelerates further innovation.

Industry standards drive collaboration between the intelligence community and its vendors. What is the state of this collaboration today?

There is a tremendous partnership underway. In order to understand the needs of geoint professionals, vendors require deep technical expertise in many aspects of the domain. For example, Intergraph has worked with government customers for more than four decades to solve difficult problems and ultimately evolve the overall tradecraft and technologies. We maintain an enduring partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and other Department of Defense and intelligence community members of the US, which enables us to stay abreast of emerging trends and requirements.

Through activities such as joint cooperative research and development agreements, we forge mutually beneficial bonds that allow us to gain unique insight into customer needs and direction. This information directly influences future commercial product design so that those products directly meet the emerging needs of agencies and end users.

Activity-based Intelligence (ABI) is one such emerging trend that will shape future combat operations. What is your view on ABI? It is a very important development. ABI’s goal is to help analysts better understand changes in the environment from multiple activities occurring over

a designated time period. Rather than simply studying a target to assess details of an object or location, ABI reviews transactions and patterns of movement and facilitates an understanding of trends as indicators of future activities. Letitia Long, Director of the NGA, calls this an effort to move into ‘an anticipatory mode’.

Multiple intelligence (Multi-INT) fusion is an important component of ABI. The ability to bring imagery intelligence, signals intelligence, human intelligence, measurements and signatures and other sources into an integrated analytical environment provides a powerful platform for an analyst to detect trends he or she might not otherwise see. The best solution is for analysts to work in an environment that integrates all these different sources simultaneously. Satellite imagery is an integral piece and may serve as the canvas on which other dynamic data feeds are displayed. Together, these feeds combine to create one powerful and detailed depiction of the real world.

However, ABI is much more than Multi-INT analysis. A second key ABI focus is the ability to understand events and transactions, both of which have a time element associated with them.

This aspect may include collecting dynamic information, such as unmanned

aircraft system video feeds. It may also look at changes in time with respect to a number of individual data collections, which is a series of still images taken over a period of time played back in a cohesive fashion.

Understanding the relationships among different sets of intelligence captured from different sources based on common time stamps is crucial for ABI analysis. Timestamped metadata associated with sensor collections is key for establishing relationships among those collections and for interpreting additional details about unfolding events.

Geoint technologies are essential for ABI. Do you agree?

Yes, they are critical to both analysis and understanding. For instance, products such as ERDAS IMAGINE, which is a state-of-the-art image analysis software, are adept at handling a wide range of sensor formats simultaneously, such as electro-optical, radar, LiDAR, multispectral and hyperspectral. This provides an analyst with a unique view of an area of interest and offers insight into patterns of behaviour.

As another example, tools such as our Motion Video Analyst provides the powerful ability to overlay multiple real-time video feeds on top of satellite images and maps, providing superior situational awareness. This feature improves the ability of analysts to be oriented with the environment and activities on the ground they are witnessing through the UAV feed.

Online and cloud-based solutions are also on the rise. How do these

services complete or replace existing capabilities?

Putting up-to-date maps and charts in the hands of warfighters is absolutely critical. Harnessing the power of cloud-based services provides a flexible and reliable method for doing so. For example, working in partnership with our customers, we have developed a Cartographic Web Services (CWS) solution, which provides innovative on-demand map production capabilities. CWS allows users in the field with hand-held devices, such as tablets or smartphones, to request an instantaneous generation of a map product that covers their area of interest. This Web-based service establishes a direct connection to authoritative data sources, executes sophisticated cartographic processes, such as conflation, symbol conflict resolution and automatic alignment of buildings to roads, and then generates and delivers an efficient GEOPDF to the hand-held device.

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Through activities such as joint cooperative R&D agreements, we forge mutually beneficial bonds that allow us to gain unique insight into customer needs

lead story

Terrain intelligence has always been important for winning a battle. In this aricle, the writer advocates establishing a repository of battle-space geographic information called Military Geospatial Intelligence System (MGIS)

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C

ombat, by its very definition, is an event extra-ordinarily excruciating. It is an ultimate condition that is distinguishable by its phenomenal characteristics which demand, among other undertakings, absolute perfection in marshalling the diverse elements of combat that constitute a military force, for example, troops, firepower, mobility and intelligence. Thus down the ages, ‘Great Captains’ of war have articulated their strategic intellect to secure victory, irrespective of the bulk of forces, by the best orchestration of the resources under their command. In modern times, developments in ‘Information Warfare’ have raised the bar of such

orchestration to such a high level that it becomes possible to exploit to the hilt the individual capabilities of each element of the military machine. More importantly, it is possible now to seamlessly integrate all such diverse force-elements into one whole system of war-fighting.

Military intelligence — terrestrial, strategic and tactical – has always been the most decisive factor in application of combat power as well as an enabling tool for the aforementioned ‘best’ orchestration of military resources. Within its overall ambit, terrain intelligence - geospatial intelligence in the wider sense as we understand today – has been the pivot of strategic, operational and tactical decision

making. In the contemporary period of technological explosion, that pivot has assumed unlimited scope for articulation. At the crosshairs of ever-adversarial forces across terrains of unique descriptions, institution of an efficient mechanism for harnessing the properties of geospatial intelligence — MGIS — must, therefore, be a top priority for India. However, to be really effective, that endeavour has to be tailored to Indian conditions and backed up with indigenous competences; the scope and coverage of GIS as propounded by the lead militaries of the world, USA, China, NATO and Russia, is neither accessible nor sustainable and may not even be necessary in the context of India’s technical-industrial-fiscal

Terrestrial Intelligence History tells us that fundamental characteristics of warfare remain eternal, only the means and methods of engaging in such endeavours change with the times. Indeed, it needs no emphasis that terrain intelligence, the bedrock of its modern version, geospatial intelligence, has always been a key factor in planning and conduct of warfare. The German XIX Panzer Corps’ breakthrough across the Ardennes Forest in 1940, India’s campaign in East Pakistan in 1971 and breakthrough of Israel’s 143 Division followed by 162 and 252 Armoured Divisions across the Suez Canal in the 1973 Yom Kippur War are some examples of the potency of terrestrial intelligence, just as the cost India had to pay in the Kargil War of 1999 highlights the consequences of its neglect. However, it may be interesting to cite some stark examples to note as to how well dynamism in harnessing of terrain intelligence pays in conduct of military operations.

In 1847, while campaigning to capture Mexico City, American forces numbering about 11,000 troops under the leadership of General Winfield Scott found themselves confronted, on two different flanks, with over 36,000 Mexican troops under command of Generals Santa Anna and Gabriel Valencia. A more threatening situation was that the Americans had to negotiate over a terrain covered with impassable drying lakes, marshes and rough lava-fields. That was a time when terrain intelligence gathering was a process of manual engineer reconnaissance, an expertise in which the Americans have traditionally excelled.

Scott used that expertise to move his forces through routes which while according protection through the geographic features of the terrain, obliged the Mexicans to disperse, only to be defeated in detail. The second example is that of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, when India’s 11 Corps crossed over the Ichhogil Canal in West Pakistan — a feat of much celebration. 11 Corps

could foresee that possibility when it scouted to obtain geographical details and specifications of the Canal.

Both these incidents highlight the tactical dividends accruing out of real-time terrain intelligence.

Indeed, there are numerous such examples to cite from the Gulf Wars.

MGIS: An Element of Modern Combat By definition, the role of MGIS is to capture, filter, validate and store terrestrial information in given formats of digitised data for the purpose of quick and accurate integration, manipulation and analysis to build up actionable military intelligence. When linked to modern communication and data-transfer resources, MGIS makes it possible to disseminate information of military value, or its processed form, military intelligence across a limitless expanse of subscriber base.

In the context of this discussion, MGIS could be described as one aspect of military intelligence which functions as a repository of battle-space geographic-spatial information. The repository is an information databank to cover the terrestrial features of tactical and technical relevance as it pertains to the terrain of intended military operations. When such information is duly analysed with military wisdom, it permits build up of real-time geospatial intelligence of military value. MGIS compliments the other aspect of military intelligence, namely, strategic and tactical information system — formally referred to as the Military Operational Intelligence System (MOIS) — which covers force build up, weapon and equipment capabilities, deployment and movements. To remain current, and therefore relevant, both these aspects have to be operative in a continuum of time, space and contents of stored information. MGIS, when skillfully integrated with the MOIS, stitches a wholesome military intelligence picture at near-real points of time, thus indicating the opponent’s likely motive. This, in turn, imparts dynamism to the practice of ‘Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield’ (IPB). As we are aware, efficient IPB re-

duces uncertainty and allows focussed application of combat power to counter the opponent’s most likely course of action. It empowers military planners in factoring force-deployment, precision weapon engagement and tactical manoeuvres to shape the battlefield in tune with the situational changes. The process of operational decision making is thus promoted. MGIS is therefore a foremost decision support system which, by perfecting the quality of intelligence, assists military commanders and staff to engage in combat with a very high degree of assurance.

A word of caution here. Given the hype it generates among the layman enthusiasts who tend to ascribe romantic possibilities to GIS, it may be noted that neither the concept nor the process is unique. Whereas the volume of contents captured, its accuracy and speed

The role of MGIS is to capture, filter, validate and store terrestrial information in given formats of digitised data for the purpose of quick and accurate integration, manipulation and analysis to build up actionable military intelligence

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capacity, and inter alia, her military objectives.

lead story

Successful harnessing of MGIS can only be possible when it is integrated with other technology driven and tactically exploitable military systems of retrieval, collation and analysis, integration of inter-disciplinary information and near-real time access across a wide user-base are the distinguishing aspects of modern MGIS as compared to its older, menial versions; acumen of military science and art remains the ultimate arbitrator in war, as ever. In other words, within the ambit of the ’Principle of War’, MGIS provides to the military forces the ability to keep pace with the technology driven fast pace of operations across the entire range of combat activities.

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Operational Imperatives of MGIS MGIS performs its intelligence functions based on a trinity of activities which may be concurrent as well as sequential depending upon the range, depth, quality and opacity of the information databank, besides of course the pace at which information changes with respect to time. These activities therefore may be described as build up of ‘Basic Information’, ‘Dynamic Information’ and ‘Deductive Information’. Of course, these activities are relevant to MOIS too, but to retain focus, it would be in order hereafter to confine the discussion to the subject matter of MGIS. Basic Information: Terrestrial composition of any campaigning area remains more or less constant in terms

of human scales of time. Therefore, it is possible to build up comprehensive information databanks regarding the various features of the terrain over a period of time. These features are natural like climate, soil properties, elevation, gradient, vegetation, rivers, natural obstacles and hazards, as well as man-made like roads, built-up areas, canals, bridges and artificial obstacles. Recording of the properties of terrain features is a deliberate and time consuming discipline of civil engineering which can never be conclusive to perfection. This is particularly so for military purposes since unlike other fields of activities, factors that shape planning and execution of warfare can neither be fully specified nor customised. To illustrate, river data at some points of interest may not be sufficient to plan military operations unless it is referenced with such data at all other points of relevance. For sustained information build-up, therefore, each feature of the terrain as well as its attributes (properties, specifications) of military significance need to be scheduled into prioritised work-programmes, and treated as a continuous engagement.

Dynamic Information: Changes over time that occur in terrain features and their military attributes, either naturally or through human intervention, for example, artificial alteration of terrain by construction or demolition are incorporated according to a specified periodicity to see that the basic information databank remains updated. Obviously, during campaign times, the periodicity of updates closes down to days and hours. Point to note however, is that dynamism of information becomes pronounced when MGIS is integrated with MOIS. Deductive Information: We have seen that when it comes to MGIS, no information databank can ever be so comprehensive as to provide for the construction of perfect intelligence picture. It is therefore for the competent information analysts to marshal their tactical and technical acumen to interpolate and predict, with high degree of assurance, the answers to impromptu queries that the operational planners and field commanders may

pose. For example, additional attributes of a terrain feature like a river at an unspecified point of interest may need to be factored into planning and execution of battle plans, and this information may have to be deducted from what inputs are readily available.

A thorough expertise in terrain engineering permits such deductive exercises with fair degree of accuracy.

Integration of MGIS with Parallel Systems: Needless to emphasise, successful harnessing of MGIS can only be possible when it is integrated with its other technology driven and tactically exploitable military systems.

Therefore synergic integration of MGIS with the corresponding information data input systems (human intelligence, surveillance sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite feedbacks, etc.), the filtration and data processing centres, the authenticating and validating systems, and finally, modern information dissemination systems (communication and data transfer networks) is imperative for it to pay the right dividends.

Build-up of MGIS MGIS, in fact, is an amalgamation of a number of information systems, each of which is dedicated to various purposes. Nearly 80 per cent of the MGIS construct is made up of terrain information, that is, data of various features of the terrain and their military attributes. This is the Engineer Geospatial Information System (EGIS) which forms the bedrock for further build up of the other user-specific information systems for use in the various arms and services of the military forces.

Thus, build up over the EGIS would be the ‘Artillery or Fire Power Geospatial Information System’, ‘Mechanised Forces or Manoeuvre Geospatial Information System’, ‘Air Force or Air Power Geospatial Information System’, ‘Logistic Geospatial Information System’, and so on. Build up of the first tier of the MGIS, the EGIS, is a civil engineering discipline and falls within the competency of the Corps of Engineers (Military Survey). Its main

tool in exploitation of terrestrial intelligence by all arms and services.

Across the unlimited range of inputs for MGIS, build up of the related basic information, is in itself a herculean task. It requires an organisation that is dedicated to the purpose and subscribes to the surveyor’s ethos.

The volume of queries being virtually unlimited, the practice in modern militaries is to grade terrain features according to their military significance and prioritise the capture and update of their attributes according to a specified level of accuracy.

Build-up of Intelligence Picture The concept of basic, dynamic and deductive information applies to both, the MGIS and the MOIS, the determining factors being time, space and combat power of opponent’s as well as own. Compared to MGIS, build up and updating of MOIS databank is a relatively simpler process due to ready availability of automatically processed inputs related to force-composition, profiles of weapons, equipment and transport, stocks

and location of ammunition and so on. When terrain information from MGIS is integrated with force information extracted from MOIS and the conjoined information is analysed, build up of the overall intelligence picture of the battlefield takes place, the processing sequence being: one, definition of battle-space environment; two, description of its effects; three, evaluation of opponent’s capabilities; and four, determination of the opponent’s possible courses of action. Thus, integration of MGIS and MOIS facilitates identification of the opponent’s most likely option as well as the most dangerous option against own forces and mission.

Role of MGIS in the Tactical Battle Area (TBA) We may imagine a TBA wherein the formation commander and staff have ready access to updated and accurate intelligence regarding the terrain, deployment of own and enemy forces, movements and most such other inputs that they need to plan operations, monitor execution in near-real time and trigger quick

21 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

purpose being: firstly, automated map updating and printing of topographic maps for general use; and secondly, provision of digitised map data for the other user arms and services to put to their specified purpose.

The second tier of the MGIS consisting of specialist information databank is to be built up by the domain expertise of each user arm and service.

Further, to meet the so far unattended queries which are likely to be raised by the General Staff, a third tier of information databank may also be incorporated into the MGIS, build up of which must remain a staff responsibility. In other words, all the three classes of information discussed above — Basic, Dynamic and Deductive Information — would consist of a better part of EGIS in the first tier, on which the second tier (composed of arm and service specific GIS) would be superimposed, and finally, the third tier (this would be added to answer the General Staff requirements). Obviously, in order to optimise expertise as well the effort, the second and the third tier of MGIS is to be built over the first one, the EGIS, to make MGIS as a complete

22 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

lead story

responses to the ever changing battle situation. Similarly, we can imagine unit and sub-unit commanders accessing ready intelligence to translate the larger plans into operational actions of which they bear responsibility. Thus, it is possible to exploit in near-real time the nature of the terrain to deploy, select routes for movement, view the objectives, find inter-visibility, chart flight paths for missiles, emplace weapons, acquire targets, bring down precision fire on selected coordinates, and so on; and yet be able to seek answers to information queries that might have been unforeseen. To be able to do so with utmost speed and accuracy, it would indeed be necessary first to interlink various sources of information gathering (maps, human, satellites, radars etc,) and the sensors deployed to register dynamic information (ground sensors, aerial vehicles — battlefield surveillance system to be precise).

The resultant information would need to be cross checked, filtered and graded to finally offer quality inputs for the planning and execution of reconnaissance, targeting and fire assault, manoeuvre, obstacle creation or breaching, and such other operational activities. That, in nutshell, is the role of MGIS in the TBA. More importantly, MGIS renders it practicable to analyse the trends of occurrence of the events with respect to time, in the battle area, and so predict the emerging developments, for example, movements, deployments etc. Similarly, it facilitates feedback on various tactical activities like damage assessment of targeted objectives, passage of obstacles, and so on. It also plays a vital role in tactical deception by manipulation of terrain signatures.

In similar vein, MGIS plays a crucial role in planning and execution of logistic support operations, in which, apart from standard attributes, data regarding local resources and infrastructure adds to the quality of logistic intelligence. Finally, MGIS plays a key role in war-gaming and simulation exercises for realistic training on battle command and control skills.

However, to reiterate, the possibilities listed above, it must be tampered with realism rather than romanticism. There is no query we may seek that was not sought by the ‘Great Captains’ of the days yore; the difference lies in the immediacy of answers and accuracy of information. This is a realisation necessary if we are to avoid the problem of ascribing to MGIS, such capabilities which no human articulated system can ever have, and thereby save ourselves from losing interest in the system when such banal dreams do not come true.

Institutionalisation of MGIS MGIS, in conjunction with MOIS, plays lead role in application of such Principles of War as ‘Surprise’, ‘Concentration of Force’ and ‘Intelligence’.

Furthermore, tactical relevance of MGIS becomes most apparent when we consider the Clausewitz’s ‘Law of Numbers’. This Law specifies that: Combat Power = Force Strength x Environmental and Operational Factors of Combat x Combat Effectiveness Value of Military Assets. When this equation is explored in terms of the Quantified Judgement Model (QJM), we find that MGIS plays a major role in strengthening the second factor while its contribution in optimisation of the third factor is considerable; MOIS being the other pillar of combat power, of course.

At the strategic level, MGIS finds many core applications, of which two representative instances may be mentioned here. One, in line with the concept of ‘Third Generation Warfare’, MGIS enables the modern weapons and manoeuvrability in engagement of the opponent’s ‘peripheral’ and ‘core’ forces in simultaneity — a notable departure from the necessity of undertaking sequential or serial combat. Two, it allows a meaningful fusion between attrition and manoeuvre warfare by opening up a new tactical option, that of ‘precision attrition’ of opposing forces. These advantages of MGIS had been remarkably exploited during the Kosovo campaign, Gulf War II and war in Afghanistan.

Needless to mention, institutional-

isation of the process of MGIS as well as its harness is imperative if its full advantages are to be reaped by the Indian military institution.

Being an issue by itself, it would suffice here to just list out the milestones of such an endeavour.

These are: conceptual factoring of MGIS into military planning and execution; continuous and competent build up of comprehensive MGIS database; its in-depth assimilation within the military fraternity; and enhancement of its accessibility at the user end.

In the Indian military establishment, particularly so in the Army, the concept of MGIS was appreciated right at the early stages of its advent. The following endeavour, however, has progressed only in fits and starts, restricting, and even back-tracking, the build up of MGIS resources like competent personnel in adequate numbers, executive survey units and arm-specific teams, procurement and placement of tools and equipment, and assimilative as well as practical training. The result is that accrual of the larger advantages of military modernisation — concepts, weapons and equipment, and expertise, when these materialise in the coming days — would have to remain stifled somewhat.

Long term vision, professional objectivity, and a scientific temper is necessary to correct this imbalance, and so to ensure that the modernisation schemes do not go lame in the absence of an ability to exploit MGIS to its full potential.

Lt Gen Gautam Banerjee (Retd) gautamabuddha43@gmail.com

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Simulation

GIS: Enhancing Realism

in Air Defence Training

24 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

Geospatial technologies are employed to create 3D terrains of various types in a virtual reality domain. The idea is to make training as realistic as possible for the soldier

T

he galloping pace of geospatial technologies is proving to be a great enabler and a training facilitator.

The relevance of such technologies is particularly visible in two functional domains in ground-based air-defence

Manpad Simulator

training. These include enhancing realism in training and automating the erstwhile manual and archaic procedures which are not only time consuming and inflexible but also far divorced from reality. The article looks at some such technologies in play.

Radar Coverage Effectiveness Evaluator The 2D Game: In an era of 2D maps (both in the WGS–84 or India-Bangladesh Datum), the method to display a typical radar beam coverage was to draw the range roundels (based on

designer/ OEM provided coverage data relevant to a particular rangeheight band). This coverage was further modulated through manually calculated clutter and screening details based on the angular elevation and spread of visible/ non-visible obstacles to the radar beam. The resultant coverage obtained was not only unrealistic but also inaccurate because the occult interplay between the radar beam and the terrain contours could not be accurately assessed.

GIS Enablement: Today, GIS technologies combined with Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) provide opportunities to evaluate radar beam blockage and other ground clutter phenomenon1. These technologies use the potential of the GIS to present topographic information in all its digital details while specially developed software tools and programmes provide the technical signatures of the radar ordered to the desired rangeheight matrix as defined by the user.

With these inputs in hand, the system then executes an interplay between the ‘technical radar signatures’ and the GIS created ‘3D ground’. The resultant output is the radar coverage diagrams which are accurate to the core. The great advantage of such an interplay is the inherent flexibility and dynamism provided to the user to check out any number of radar sites for their comparative merit (this comparison is also software driven as well as dynamic) besides having the power to generate real-time changes in coverage pattern when the radar origin is moved on a mouse-click within the permissible area of deployment, other variables remaining constant.

Good sites/ not so good sites/ poor sites/ overlap, etc., become eminently visible and hence exploitable.

This was unimaginable on 2D static map-based display2.

The erstwhile method of generating weapon envelopes and weapon deployment choices in order to address a particular air threat was an elaborate and a manual process of paper-based

planning. This was archaic, besides being time consuming and inflexible. Also, the manual procedure were neither open to dynamic changes nor flexible to comparing multiple deployment choices in real-time.

Most of the earlier requirements can now be met by GIS based technologies and 3D analysis systems. Such systems provide advanced visualisation, analysis and surface generation tools which permit viewing large sets of data in three dimensions from multiple view points, ability to query a surface and create realistic perspective images that drapes raster and vector data over an entire surface.

Exploitation: By exploiting such technologies, 3D virtual maps can be created of the type of terrain over which the training is to be imparted. On such terrains, the technical dimensions of the air threat — to include the technical nuances of the air threat, ranges, heights, weapon types (conventional/ PGMs), stand-off ranges, flight path details, etc., as well as the technical prowess of Ground Based AD Weapon System (GBADWS) in terms of ranges, heights, types of Radar coverage

ammunition, kill effectiveness, etc., are interplayed by the system in ‘oneon-one’ and ‘one-on-many’ modes.

This interplay provides effectiveness details of the GBADWS envelopes in taking on the threat. It also provides a comparison tool to check out, compare and optimise the deployment details through change in weapon types on their locations in real-time.

Total Effect Simulation: The progression for the above stated deployment simulation is the total effect simulation. Such systems work on two side simulation, that is, both from the attacker as well as defender. For the former, the system will input various threat capabilities such as ranges, throw-weight, ammunition effectiveness, day/ night operation limits, ECM muscle, etc. For pitching the capabilities of the defender, it inputs ground air defence weapon capabilities in the form of its technical signature, and effectiveness against the threat. The simulator is then played with the defenders utilising their sensors, combat and C2 means in a synergetic fashion.

The effectiveness of the defender in optimising their weapons to ward off

Simulation

Total effects simulation

the threat as a package is accurately calculated and re-playable.

26 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

Very Short range Air Defence (VSHORAD) Simulators: A marriage between VSHORAD launch techniques and ability to create virtual realities exploiting GIS technologies enables the realisation of VSHORAD (Man Portable air defence System (MANPADS)) simulators. Some details:The Challenge: VSHORAD SAM systems comprising variety of short range, man-portable/ pedestal mounted heat seeking (Igla1M, Igla-S), laser guided (RBS-70/Bolide), laser/ proximity/ impact (Mistral), hit-to-kill HVM/ laser guided (Star Streak) missiles, etc. have strong simulation requirements.

This is so because the operators needs repetitive multiple practice on laying the missile, tracking the target steadily, identification of launch zone and steady launch in hostile EW environment.

Solution: Most VSHORAD makers offer generic simulator solutions, for example, the Konus simulator offered

by Rosoboronexport can also be used for training of RBS-70/NG even3.

The latest in the field is to produce a weapon effect signature simulator which replicates the launch signature of many types of shoulder-fired sur-

face-to-air missiles. The replication includes the weight/ jerk/ vibration feel, self consuming pyrotechnic that replicates the real effect but leaves no residual projectile. All this is projected against a virtually created environment giving a 3D effect of the launch space, multiple target movement with attendant visual light and sound clues enabling training in evasive actions-counter actions. Effect enhancers like actual/ created weather or time-of-the day help in enhancing further realism4.

Another very exciting use of GIS based enablement is in the design of Aircraft Recognition (ACR) simulators, an important training area for air defence warriors. In this scenario, GIS based technologies are employed to create 3D terrains of various types in a virtual reality domain. On such terrains, deployments of GBADWS can be depicted. The trainee, located virtually in such terrains, is presented with unpredictable movement of a variety of aerial threat vehicles. The challenge is to recognise the threat in real-time.

Weather/ terrain/ time of the day, etc., can be superimposed. The feel of training is as good as real.

GIS based technologies can also be used to generate live video streaming of an area of interest by placing GPS/ GIS enabled tools (video camera, GPS and integrating software) on board aerial

vehicles such as aeromodels/ hover platforms, etc. Such vehicles and platforms can be made to fly/ hover over an area of interest and provide a live video.

Riding on the enabling power of cutting edge technologies provided by GIS and marrying them up with weapon based expertise is producing amazing solutions for realistic training.

References 1.[HTML] Radar Beam Occultation Studies Using GIS and DEM Technology : An Example Study of Guam [HTML], PA Kucera, WF Krajewski-journals.ametsoc.org 2.Military Applications of GIS. www.gisdevelopment.net/application/ military…/ militaryf0002pf.htm 3.Worldwide-defence.blogspot. com/…/sa-24-grinch_Igla_S_manpad-data…

4.www.flightglobal. com>News>space> Manned space flight

Lt Gen VK Saxena, DG & Sr Col Comdt, Army AD The views expressed in this article are those of the author in his personal capacity, and do not have any official endorsement.

technology

UAVs

I

nformation is an element of combat power and a combat multiplier in the hands of a commander. Field commanders require an organic, responsive, economically viable, multi- source, long endurance, near real-time reconnaissance capability to collect, process and report intelligence throughout the level of conflict.

Additionally, commanders need ability to obtain data from anywhere within enemy territory, day and night (24x7), regardless of weather.

The answer lies in the use of UAVs, with their inherent characteristics to provide the flexibility to operate in the extended battle space, thereby enabling the ground forces to see first,

understand first, act first and finish decisively. UAVs are remotely piloted or self piloted aircraft that can carry cameras, sensors, communication equipment or other payloads. They have been used in the reconnaissance and intelligence gathering role from 1950s; and more challenging roles are envisaged including combat missions. Unmanned vehicles are not impeded by restraints imposed on manned systems, where both the aircraft and crew could be lost. In fact, they are increasingly being employed for missions that were hitherto the domain of manned aircraft. The UAVs today are also providing exclusive capability to forces engaged in sub-conventional operations, especially in the

global war on terrorism — in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Current technologies make today’s UAVs more sophisticated than ever and are expanding their role in support of joint operations. As range, altitude and loiter time increase, UAVs are providing beyond line-of-sight reconnaissance, fires and over watch.

This support enables rapid movement, target identification and engagement with enhanced battle damage assessment, making this weapon system a true force multiplier. By extending future battle space coverage, UAVs will provide greater situational awareness that not only enhances force protection and survivability but will also generate greater lethality.

27 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

UAVs are a critical combat multiplier which are rapidly becoming an organic necessity for all modern armies

technology

Today, technologically advanced militaries across the world have incorporated UAVs as a new critical and combat enhancing component of their inventory. While Israel and USA have been the pioneers in UAV development, at least 14 other countries are now using/ developing over 76 different types of UAVs for surveillance, target acquisition, electronic warfare, etc.

28 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

Employment Philosophy Current military UAVs perform reconnaissance as well as attack missions.

Though ISR missions still remain the predominant roles of UAVs, other areas of employment include electronic attack, strike missions, suppression and/ or destruction of enemy air defence, network node or communications relay and combat search and rescue. The combination of loiter time and layered employment of UAVs provide the critical capability needed to support network centric operations.

UAVs are often preferred for missions that are too dull, dirty or dangerous for the manned aircraft. The concept of killer/ hunter UAVs for strike missions is a reality in Afghanistan. The Predator, carrying two ‘hellfire’ missiles has been extensively used by the US Forces for strike missions against the Taliban and al-Qaeda militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s tribal areas. These UAVs are being piloted for missions in Iraq and Afghanistan from halfway across the world in Nevada and California, more than 8,000 miles from the killing zone, providing real-time video feeds to troops on ground — these UAVs can stay aloft for more than 20 hours watching a battlefield. However, the vast majority of roughly 1,500 UAVs flying in Iraq and Afghanistan are smaller, controlled by soldiers and marines on the ground. The smallest is the ‘Raven’, about the size of a large model airplane with a wing span of three feet, which is sometimes mistaken for a bird flying high in the sky.

The Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorist (CI/CT) operations require timely, responsive and accurate intelligence to succeed; and UAV is the best suited weapon platform for this task.

UAV is capable of operating in permis-

sive as well as non-permissive (within another country’s sovereign airspace) environment and with a variety of sensors suitable for single or multi-mission operations. The sensor can transmit information based on detection, identification and location of militant groups to intelligence agencies or to surveillance teams. UAVs could also provide support to troops on the ground during operations in terms of real-time image or signal intelligence via a secure downlink. An armed UAV overhead could provide timely, on scene, firepower, a situation regularly being played out in Afghanistan and tribal areas of Pakistan.

Experience of the US Army in Iraq and Afghanistan and the expertise of the Israeli defence forces of using UAVs in conventional as well as non-conventional operations bring out several valuable lessons which can be suitably exploited in our present CI/ CT environment. Two of the most important of these lessons are ‘Complete Battlefield Dominance’ and ‘Closing Sensor-to-Shooter Loop’.

This involves establishing a continuous surveillance grid of an area of interest duly integrated with the forces on the ground fighting CI/ CT operations, thereby establishing a system capable of disseminating this intelligence to more than one user in real-time for its timely and efficient exploitation. The success of Op Geronimo to get Osama bin Laden is clearly illustrative of this factor.

Developments in India Successful use of UAVs and their combat enhancing potential has generated interest among militaries from across

the world. China and Pakistan are adding UAVs of various capabilities to their inventory and have expressed interest in developing and procuring UAVs with enhanced capabilities, including armed versions. During the last couple of years, China has unveiled more than 25 different models of UAVs, prominent among them being the WJ600 combat UAV. The WJ600 is said to be capable of carrying several missiles.

India too has not been left out of the global UAV push, with a major thrust of its armed forces modernisation plans focussing on augmenting their current meagre resources — the Israeli Searcher II and Heron (MALE) UAVs. India has developed a smaller UAV, the Nishant (catapult launch and parachute recovery) which has already entered service with the Army.

In addition, India is undertaking a development programme for a UAV in the Heron/ Predator class of MALE UAVs, called the ‘Rustom’ — a 1100– 1300 kg UAV, with a maximum altitude of 35,000 feet and a range of 300 km.

The state run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) along with Bharat Electronics is slated to design and build this UAV. However, India’s most prized indigenous drone programme is the development of an Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft (AURA).

The DRDO has embarked on the development of the AURO Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) which is stated to be a high speed stealth UCAV, capable of autonomously seeking, identifying and destroying targets with missiles, bombs and precision guided munitions. As per DRDO, the first flight is expected in 2015.

Although large size UAVs have been

UAVs are capable of operating in permissive as well as non-permissive environment and with a variety of sensors suitable for single or multi-mission operations

Future Trends The increasing demand and reliance on UAVs in war fighting and peace keeping operations has doubled the pace of UAV related research and development in recent years. UAVs today, with enhanced capabilities, are able to play a greater role in critical missions. Achieving information superiority, minimising collateral damage, fighting effectively in urban areas against widely dispersed forces, striking autonomously and precisely are areas where UAVs will be increasingly indispensable. The three major thrusts in UAV development are growth in size of strategic UAVs for better endurance and payload, reduction in size of tactical UAVs, weaponisation of UAVs to offer lethal capability in combat missions and autonomy — commonly defined as ability of the machine to take decisions without human intervention. Armed forces worldwide are beginning to explore the possibilities offered by unmanned systems as both sensor and weapon platforms. The promise of an autonomous, highly survivable and absolutely fearless UAV will usher in a new paradigm in which the ultimate consideration is no longer the value of pilot’s life, but rather the mission and

cost effectiveness of UAVs. The advent of light airborne precision weapons, autonomous target acquisition and recognition technologies will push UAVs towards becoming armed and lethal unmanned platforms. UAVs with the ability to pick out targets and attack autonomously, with persistent presence over areas of interest will come of age in the near future and become indispensable weapons of war for commanders.

The continued development of strategic and tactical UAVs follows the line of employing UAVs as multi-role multi-mission platforms. UAVs will see progressive developments towards both extreme ends of size spectrum.

Strategic UAVs will see growth in size for better endurance, reliability and payload capacity, while the mini- and micro- UAVs will grow smaller, lighter and more expendable. The tactical close range platforms will become more versatile with multi-role multi-mission capability. Passive and low signature sensors are essential to boost stealth and survivability of UAVs. Note worthy advances include hyperspectral imaging, laser radar, synthetic aperture radar and moving target indicator.

Increasing demand for better performance and higher reliability will escalate the development and production costs of UAVs. Whether the platform is designed to be even more reliable than an aircraft, depends on its application, the payload it carries, mission pay off and cost effectiveness. It must be appreciated that for strategic high value UAVs to perform as well as manned systems, there will have higher acquisition costs. The development of large size UAVs (fixed wing and rotary) in the cargo carriage role is already underway, with the lead being taken by US companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

Some of these systems like Lockheed Martins unmanned K-MAX helicopter have been successfully deployed in Afghanistan to augment Marine Corps ground and air logistics operations — as per available data the performance has been exceptional. As per reports, Sikorsky in cooperation with the US Army

has successfully demonstrated optionally piloted flight of a ‘Black Hawk’ helicopter — this is a significant development towards not only providing autonomous cargo delivery capability but also gives the commander the flexibility of launching crewed or un-crewed operations depending on the situation.

The navies, the world over, are closely monitoring these developments — rotary UAVs capable of operating from ship decks will be force multipliers.

Conclusion

Technology is driving the military application of UAVs into remarkable areas, with the possibilities seemingly endless. A crucial piece of technology that is required to take UAVs to the next level is a robust ‘sense and avoid’ system allowing unmanned planes to fly safely in a congested airspace. Future UAVs may be able to perform a variety of tasks moving beyond their present roles in ISR and strikes, to re-supply, combat search and rescue, aerial refuelling and air-to-air combat (currently a difficult proposition). While the UAV is an innovative weapon system, but it is not yet capable of replacing the manned aircraft; the main drawbacks being the situational awareness and the ability to analyse its operational environment. The way forward is to integrate manned and unmanned platforms and satellite based sensors in order to attain an integrated operational picture. The future combat arena may well see both the manned aircraft and the UAVs/ UCAVs in complementary roles enhancing the overall combat potential of the force.

Lt Gen BS Pawar (Retd) ballipawar@yahoo.com

29 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

procured by the armed forces, there has been no progress on the micro and mini UAVs including manpack, which are essential for the tactical battle area and CI/ CT operations. While RFPs in this regard were floated by the army some time back, no procurement has been made so far. Reports indicate that the Indian Army is also on the lookout for Miniature UAVs (MAVs), which can evade enemy radar, are easy to handle, can be launched without runways and are also capable of carrying explosives to act as killer drones for small but high value targets. The main aim is to use them for monitoring mountainous terrain, conflict zones and congested urban areas. The MAVs would be very useful in CI/ CT operations in J&K and the North East. The MAVs could weigh as less as 2kg and have an endurance of 30 minutes at a stretch.

Cyber Warfare

IP-Geolocation

A Must for Cyber-offensive

Although there are no borders in cyber world, cyber attacks are not always generic, and are many times directed towards a particular country. The writer thus feels that geospatial tagging is critical in deciding a country's response to a cyber attack location. Similarly, large data mining and analytic tools are also susceptible to attacks based on geospatial information. Operations Titan Rains, Olympic Games, ATP1, Night Dragon, and Ghostnet are all pre-war surveillance. Only Operation Orchard and Stuxnet can be called acts of cyber war. Both operations had target location mechanism built into them. Therefore, unlike other acts in cyber space, geolocation of a target is critical.

Techniques for IP-geolocation Credit: Fotolia

30 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

C

yber warfare is very similar in nature to naval warfare.

In international waters, navy encounters enemy warships, large merchant vessels, small merchant ships, fishing boats and guised surveillance ships from all directions. There are no borders to clearly establish that everything on the other side belongs to enemy. Though there are Sea-Lanes-of-Communication (SLOC) but two ports are actually on connectionless service and no ship is bound to follow SLOC. In cyberspace, IP address is the flag which every asset on the Internet displays but ruse is not uncommon. It is therefore necessary to identify the cyber assets positively in any cyber-conflict before any aggressive response is initiated. Wearing flag of convenience is common for sea vessels as well as cyber assets.

Rules of Cyber War Tallinn Manual, while drawing the rules of cyber war, has based the identity of any cyber-asset on its territorial linkages. If Tallinn Manual is used as start point for taking any decision on ‘Laws of Cyber Conflict’, then geospatial tagging will be critical in deciding whether an act by a military leader amounts to war crime or not. It is therefore necessary that any attack or counterattack in any cyberwar should be focussed primarily using geospatial intelligence rather than general purpose destructive force. That is why cyber weapons such as Stuxnet, Duqu and Flame are geographically focussed and are unlike other normal viruses and malwares which have a general purpose to infect every vulnerable system.

Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) are selecting specific targets based on

There are several techniques for IP- geolocation. Some of them are host-dependent while others are independent of host and based purely on IP address to get physical location. A brief on some of the techniques used for IP-geolocation are discussed below.  GPS: It has become a standard fit in most of the mobile devices and tablets. The GPS uses Doppler Effect of satellites orbiting in the space. The accuracy which is achieved by non-military GPS system is about 2 meter, it can also provide information related to altitude of the system. Most of the social media applications such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc., have integrated geolocation tagging for the images. Photographs taken by inbuilt GPS devices also have the capability of IP- geolocation tagging with photographs.

Also, one can gather data from such device application by Twitter, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and

 WiFi Positioning System (WiPS): It is used where GPS system is not installed or switched off or signals are blocked. Each WiFi device in the world is unique through the combination of its Service Set Identification (SSID) and Media Access Control address (MAC address).

Various commercial companies such as Google, Infsoft, Navizon, AlterGeo, Skyhook Wireless and Combain Mobile provide the services of IP-geolocation through WiPS. The location of the WiFi system is collated in a database while other geolocation tools such as GPS are used on a device with enabled WiFi services. In fact, once the geolocation of a WiFi hotspot is fixed, the location of computers using WiFi can also be found out remotely. Using signal strength techniques, accuracy less than 1 meter can be achieved.  Mobile Networks: The mobile phones using mobile networks of GSM or CDMA can provide geolocation information of such devices even in the absence of GPS and WiFi receivers. The technique of geolocation is based on the delayed time between mobile phones and the cell tower (whose position is fixed and known).

Accuracy through this technique is reasonably course. In case, these mobiles phones are using GPRS, 3G or 4G services, then it automatically provides IP geolocation.  Anti-theft Hardware: Most of the

motherboards of computers, laptops and mobile devices have inbuilt features for remote activation for anti-theft mechanism. These anti-theft mechanisms keep continuously gathering geolocation information of the host, as and when same is reflected in any application. This collated information is then used to develop reasonably accurate geolocation of the device. In addition, it can ping back the mother-site through well-established geolocated servers, where delayed times through various routes can provide reasonably accurate IP-geolocation.

The leading company providing such services is Computrace.  Device Independent IP Geolocation: There exists a reasonably high possibility that computers may not be fitted with features such as GPS, GSM or CDMA. There exist several client independent geolocation techniques to link IP address with the physical location.

One of the techniques is using geolocation method at each step to improve the accuracy in iterative manner using time delay calculations in the following sequence:  Harvest geolocation on the web of well-known servers in an area  Geolocating primary servers of ISP  Geolocating last mile routers of ISP  Time delay between last mile router and the host  Non-Technical – Web Based Information  Traceroute – Traceroute fired from multiple locations to an IP address can provide IP geolocation by calculating time delay between various routes.  Non-Technical – Database of ISP Stealing or legally getting information from ISP of their registered users details can also provide a reasonable accurate geolocation.  Determining geographical location of an Internet Protocol host is valuable for many Internet based applications including marketing

and anti-fraud activity. However, in planning and execution of cyber war, IP-geolocation has far more important value. Some of the applications of IP-geolocation in cyber war are: • Allocation or AoR to cyber war sector commanders • Implementation of rules of engagement • Avoiding fratricide • Avoiding over-concentration of fire power or leaving gaps in attacks • Encirclement and isolation of heavily defended cyber targets • Minimising collateral damages • Simplify Battle Damage Analysis (BDA) of cyber attack or real world attack • Control intensity and pace of cyber conflict • Integrate HUMINT and kinetic (physical) weapon attack with cyber attack And many more.

Conclusion Cyber war in future may be launched independently or in prelude to or in support of real world conflict. An unstructured cyber attack, based on opportune target methodology (as presently being practiced), can be counter-productive to the objective of the mission. To properly control the scope, pace and intensity of cyber war, it is necessary to IP-geolocate the target host. Therefore, IP-geolocation of enemy targets is a pre-condition for launching any effective cyber offensive.

Commander Mukesh Saini (Retd) Former National Information Security Coordinator (GOI) commandersaini@gmail.com

31 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

others that correlate the IP address with geolocation of the device.

In fact in a recent incident, the location of the INS Vikramaditya on her maiden passage to India got compromised through social media due to auto geolocation tagging of the photographs.

The GPS project, which was developed in 1973 is run by the US Department of Defense. Other similar systems such as Russia's GLONASS, Europe’s Galileo and China’s Compass, though in existance, are not extensively used with the IP enabled devices.

Interview

“India is a Strategic Market for Rafael” Rafael develops and manufactures an array of solutions for army, navy and air force. In an interview with GeoIntelligence, VAdm Yedidia Yaari (Retd), President and CEO, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, tells us why it is one of the leading innovative defence companies of the world

How does Rafael aid in enhancing combat potential?

Rafael’s solutions are known worldwide and are used by various militaries including India, the US, Europe, NATO, several countries in Asia and more.

Each of these militaries has its own needs, requirements and challenges, and our solutions to these militaries span from force and armour protection, air defence and air-to-air, naval warfare, C4I, precise tactical munitions, etc.

Rafael specialises in development, manufacturing and supports a vast range of air, land and naval systems and technologies including missiles and weapons, electronic warfare and self protection, reconnaissance and intelligence collection, as well as processing systems, analysis and dissemination tools, airborne data-links, communications, command and control and much more. Rafael’s systems are in use on dozens of different platforms, and they have proven successful in a large variety of missions around the world.

VAdm Yedidia Yaari (Retd) President and CEO Rafael Advanced Defense Systems

Of late, we have seen a number of missile defence systems from Rafael. Can you tell us about them?

Rafael offers a full range of air defence systems to ensure efficient responses against all types of airborne threats including aircraft, helicopters, short-to-long range missiles and rockets.

Rafael air defence solutions meet the requirements of army, air force and navy. The systems can be integrated, coordinated and operated by tri-forces to provide comprehensive interoperability and interchangeability.

One of Rafael’s flagship products, which has

What is the progress on the David’s Sling system that you are developing with Raytheon?

It is currently under development.

David’s Sling is an affordable and lethal solution against long-range artillery rockets (LRAR), short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM), cruise missiles (CM) and traditional air defence threats. The system provides optimum protection for the homeland as well as forward deployed forces. At the end of 2012, Rafael conducted its first full interception field test of the David’s Sling missile defence system.

The test was successful and the development of the system is progressing according to schedule.

Israel is a strong partner of India vis-à-vis defence sector. Can you tell us about your activities and partners in India? What are your offering to this market and how do you intend to better address local needs and requirements?

Today’s defence markets are shifting from buying complete systems from foreign suppliers (BUY) to locally producing such systems (MAKE) — a trend requiring efficient capability to transfer manufacturing technologies, know-how and monitor quality assurance, all that under complex offset rules which require significant flexibility and resilience to maintain a profitable operation. At Rafael, we maintain cooperation with over 100 international companies that gain significant value from such cooperation. We continue to exam-

ine opportunities in the US market, Europe and Asia.

We continue to develop our foreign operations and expand our presence in strategic markets, such as India.

This is being done either through acquisitions or through JVs or other forms of partnerships.

India is a strategic market for Rafael. We are constantly seeking new partnerships and joint ventures with Indian companies for cooperation that will help drive forward our mutual ability to address local needs and operational requirements. We are engaged in joint ventures and partnerships with local Indian industries and are in constant search to expand our activities in the country, in cooperation with the DRDO, in order to better address local needs and requirements.

Over the years, Rafael has established subsidiaries in different countries that play an important role in our M&A strategy and marketing activities around the world. We plan to continue making substantial investment in R&D and capitalise on our proven operational success in areas of air defence, active protection for armoured vehicles, critical asset protection and more. This cooperation has proven to be productive and has had a substantial contribution to the development

Rafael offers full range of air defence systems to ensure efficient responses against all types of airborne threats including aircraft, helicopters, short-to-long range missiles and rockets of advanced technologies that have played a significant role in securing the military advantage for both the countries in dealing with a wide variety of threats that they face.

Your company has considerable expertise in delivering sophisticated precision weapons. Can you tell us about your offerings in this sector?

Our strategy has for a long time called for development of precise, propor-

33 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

received worldwide recognition and praise, is Iron Dome, an active defence system against short-range missiles and rockets. Since its first deployment in Israel in 2011, the system has already intercepted over 500 rockets and is deployed in key locations around Israel. The system is highly mobile, and is thus easily deployable to protect critical infrastructure sites, civilian areas, and military installations and bases. It is another key element in increasing force survivability as well as maneuverability.

34 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

Interview

tionate and discriminate systems that allow forces to carry out missions effectively, efficiently and economically. For example, Spike Family is an electro-optic, tactical, precision-guided missile system, which includes the Spike LR — precision missile system for infantry, special forces and light combat vehicles; Spike ER, an extended range tactical missile for helicopters, LCV and naval vessels; and the Spike NLOS multi-purpose, multi-platform electro-optical missile system. The Spike Family is already in use by some 20 customers around the world, and has reached a supply level of over 21,000 missiles. 3,000 have already been fired in combat and in training.

In addition, Rafael has developed the SPICE Family, consisting of the SPICE 1000, an air-to-ground autonomous precision guided weapon, capable of overcoming enemy GPS jamming, part of a family of air-to-ground solutions that also includes the SPICE 2000 and 250. SPICE is a stand-off weapon system that hits and destroys targets with pinpoint accuracy and at high attack volumes. It is combat-proven and is in service with the Israeli Air Force and under contract with several international customers.

also depends on immediate access to essential data, and integration of diverse data sources to a unified situation picture including threats, responses and opportunities.

Today, most digital imagery collection systems integrate with a specific sensor.

Raw data from a single source is processed by an exploitation station. As digital collection assets generally serve as standalone systems, valuable raw data is available locally, but not to interested clients outside the immediate operating cycle. To overcome this limitation, Rafael has come up with IMILITE — a cost-effective intelligence system that receives, processes and exploits multiple standalone imagery video and other intelligence data in a centralised and a unified manner, and disseminates this ISTAR data to networked end-users and clients.

IMILITE capabilities include collection and exploitation of E/O, IR, SAR, GMTI and video data in various formats for both real-time and in-depth analysis. The system further combines non-imager GIS data layers, such as targets, threats, COMINT detection and mission status. Its multi-source integration and automation significantly improves the efficiency of available data collection/ exploitation assets. Utilising state-of-the-art image processing algorithms, IMILITE enables efficient collation of all incoming data to a unified intelligence situational awareness picture, significantly shortening the ISR collection and exploitation cycle.

We see an explosion in the amount of data that is now being generated by ISR assets. In fact, big data analysis is one of the major challenges before security agencies. How is Rafael gearing up for the challenge?

Indeed, recent military, anti-terror and peacekeeping operations have demonstrated that having the right information at the right time is not simply a matter of better sensors, but

Rafael continues to develop new technologies and mature existing ones. What is the secret behind your success?

The most important resource we have is our innovative human talents. This is the primary resource that has continuously taken Rafael to new heights and exceptional achievements. We continue to offer our customers a variety of systems for air, land and naval

warfare. We continuously expand these product families, particularly in air defence, precision weapons and protection systems. The broad technological base that Rafael has, enables us to come up with the required solutions in air superiority, C4ISR, or advanced tactical networking which help our users to effectively defend, or alternatively attack with the necessary precision and exact measured effect they require. Rafael is technology based and always invests a major portion of revenues in R&D. What are the company’s main growth engines in the near future?

In 2014, we plan to continue make substantial investment in R&D and capitalise on our proven operational success in areas of air defence, active protection for armoured vehicles, critical asset protection and more.

One of our main goals is to continue working with our local partners and provide tailor-made, end-to-end solutions, based on solutions already developed, and other solutions we are currently working on. One of our strategies is to position ourselves as a vendor of complete systems rather than separate individual products, all the whilst adapting our solutions to customer’s legacy systems.

In the last several months, Rafael has put into place a number of organisational changes, including the establishment of a new land and naval division. Our goal is to better tap into the ever-changing developments that have taken place in the complex land-naval combat environment and to provide our customers with advanced solutions that will serve as an added value and enable them to deal effectively with their specific challenges. We pride ourselves in our superb scientists and engineers, who since Rafael’s establishment, have developed some of the world’s most ground-breaking systems, such as Iron dome, TROPHY, Protector, and many others. These organisational changes will serve us in achieving our plans and goals and in meeting our future challenges.

By invitation: BAE Systems

Transforming the

I

t’s been ten years since the 2004 National Defense Authorization Act was signed, officially coining the term ‘GEOINT’. Today, GEOINT has become such a focus of national defence that the supply of analysts simply cannot meet the demand for imagery products.

Almost every intelligence report requires, or could be enhanced by, some geospatial imagery component. As a result, geospatial intelligence software companies like ours have been hard at work developing full suites of integrated geospatial products capable of being used by any analyst, anywhere, at any time.

Rather than transforming, through retraining, all-source analysts into geospatial experts, with the right tools, we can empower these talented and experienced all-source analysts to easily extract their own imagery to complete their intelligence products, freeing up the geospatial imagery experts to focus their attention on processing and exploiting more complex geospatial data. To do this, we set out to develop a lightweight, intuitive Web-based Electronic Light Table that would enable any all-source analyst to easily locate imagery, maps, vectors or text reports so they can build their daily intelligence reports or briefings.

To address the need to locate data, we built GXP Xplorer®, which is a powerful and intelligent search and discovery application. Eliminating data replication was an essential concept for GXP Xplorer. As such, the product has the ability to ‘crawl’ all the existing data stores and catalogue the data ‘in place’. The next vital concept for GXP Xplorer was the ability to search both ‘structured’ and ‘unstructured’ data. By this, we mean the distinction between data that has a geo-tag for its location on the ground and data that does not include a geo-tag. This was important to us because the all source analysts require both types of data. Lastly, GXP Xplorer needed to have a web-based user interface so it could be accessed from any location. Once we built GXP Xplorer, we had one of the two previously identified needs met for the all source analyst. Next, we set our efforts towards creating a product to address the web-based ELT requirement.

The main hurdle with a web-based ELT is the speed of delivery of large images and maps. Our engineers determined that HTML 5 would enable us to build an architecture that could support the rapid delivery of large images.

We created this new technology using the core strengths of our legacy SOCET SET® digital photogrammetric workstation and our market-leading SOCET GXP® IA/GA desktop application to create GXP WebView.

This new product displays geospatially-referenced, fullframe imagery in a web browser instantaneously, allowing for rapid visualisation, analysis, exploitation, annotation and report generation. GXP WebView enables users to interact with full-resolution, geospatially referenced imagery within an intuitive and enterprise-accessible interface.

GXP WebView merges the universal accessibility of a web-based application with the reliability, accuracy and intuitive usability expected from desktop exploitation tools. It integrates the technology of photogrammetric software development experience refined over 25 years, and supports commercial and national imagery formats. Fully integrated with a catalogue, search, and discovery product such as GXP Xplorer, GXP WebView provides capabilities to view, annotate, and publish faster than order-based exploitation workflows, and empowers users throughout the enterprise to rapidly add imagery into intelligence reporting and situational awareness products.

Dan London, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Support for BAE Systems’ Geospatial eXploitation Products

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Next-Generation of Geospatial Analysts

Command & Control

Abu Dhabi Police Plans Real-time Traffic Patrol Allocation

Extensive use of geospatial technologies will enable Abu Dhabi police to develop, implement and test an efficient real-time system for the allocation of patrol cars to various locations within the boundaries of the Abu Dhabi Emirate

Incident Management: After adding patrol car to the map, the application shows the nearest one which is available to the place of incident

36 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

E

mergency services such as police vehicles must provide reasonable service levels in order to ensure public safety.

These services are typically provided by vehicles based at fixed locations.

The number and placement of vehicles generally influences the quality of services offered. Increasing the number of vehicles is often limited by cost constraints; therefore the efficient deployment of such service vehicles is a crucial issue. Emergency service vehicles must be located in such a way that they may reach any demand point within a maximal response time.

Current Practices in Abu Dhabi The traffic police in Abu Dhabi perform two major functions: enforcing traffic

laws and assisting road users. Within the Abu Dhabi Police department, the Directorate of Traffic and Patrols, which is in charge of all traffic aspects, allocates the traffic patrol vehicles to routine work and to special operations.

The special operations vehicles are involved in escorting convoys and motorcades and in enforcing traffic laws and regulations through the deployment of patrol officers in specific areas at certain times, or in dealing with incidents and special events. The routine patrols perform all remaining tasks. At present, the patrol car allocation process is largely manual and relies heavily on the knowledge, experience and expertise of the dispatch operators. The operators divide the Emirate into geographic zones and allocate patrols based on their knowledge about the areas’ needs

and other criteria such as traffic flow patterns, population density, etc. In the event of an accident or call for assistance, the dispatcher calls on one of the patrol vehicles nearby and assigns it the task of dealing with the event.

The current allocation method, while providing acceptable level of service, falls short of providing efficient state-of-the-art utilisation of resources and guaranteeing fast response time in critical situations. Given the advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and geospatial technologies, our ability to monitor traffic flow and the availability of real-time information on traffic conditions, the time is ripe for providing a patrol allocation process based on sound methodology and state-of-the-art technology.

Previously developed systems have shown their operational efficiency and effectiveness by guaranteeing that the police coverage of roads in a specific area is maximised and that the average and maximum response time meet acceptable limits. Most of these systems use specific algorithms in order to determine the configuration of facilities (locations of patrol cars) and assignment of duties to the respective facilities is in accordance with chosen criteria. In most of the allocation applications, the criterion considered is the average response time, measured as the time interval between receipt of a call reporting accident or request for assistance and the arrival of at least one patrol car at the site.

Proposed Patrol Car Allocation System Most of recent research studies and applications concerning patrol

Configuration of the Proposed Patrol Cars Allocation System INPUTS The system receives several inputs (variables) such as: Variables and System Parameters: • The number of patrol cars: The number of cars which are actively involved in the allocation; • Real-time traffic conditions (density, flow): This variable will be collected from other systems which provide the real traffic conditions by using real-time counters, telecommunication providers services, etc.

• Populations density and distribution: This variable exists in the GIS system; • Frequency and nature of incidents (accidents, calls for assistance, emergency calls): This variable exists in the GIS system; • The coverage area: This variable also exists in the GIS system; and • Patrol duty parameters (start time, patrol duty cycle, allocation of officer time among various tasks) Constraints and Optimisation Criterion: one or more of the following • Response time (upper bound) • Number of patrol cars on duty (upper bound) • Coverage/visibility: minimum number of patrol vehicles in each geographic zone Expected Events Related to the Traffic • Planned events such as convoys, motorcades, etc.

Unexpected Events Affecting Traffic

Flow • Traffic congestion • Accidents/crashes • Climate conditions: poor visibility due to fog, heavy rain, sand storm, etc.

PROCESSING A sophisticated algorithm that takes into account the input data in real time, the performance constraints and the optimisation criteria in order to produce an optimal allocation strategy for the traffic patrol cars.

Broadly speaking, the algorithm utilises three approaches: • The algorithm maps the input data onto a GIS structure since most of the input variables are location-based.

• The algorithm uses a decision support system module to capture the knowledge and develop formal rules for the allocation procedures based on knowledge, insight and experience gained from the current system operators. This prior knowledge is useful for fine-tuning the system parameters.

• Using linear programming, artificial intelligence and multi-agent systems techniques, the algorithm will be able to compute in real-time and with a high degree of accuracy the travel time between each available patrol car and the site of accident or assistance (the target site). This module requires knowledge of the actual, real-time traffic conditions on most roads and highways. The travel time depends also on the initial direction of the patrol vehicle and the available routes.

The available patrol car with the shortest travel time to the target site is normally given the assignment and directed to proceed to the target site.

OUTPUT The output of the processing system consists of: • An initial patrol car allocation strategy for the allocation of traffic patrol cars to geographic zones at the beginning of each patrol duty

cycle. This initial allocation is optimised on the basis of the projected traffic pattern and the expected number of accidents and calls for assistance; and • A dynamic and real-time allocation strategy for traffic patrol cars that assigns patrol cars to the site of accidents or calls for assistance. The output is determined by the processing algorithm in such a way that optimises the objective function and meets the stated constraints.

Conclusion The availability of an efficient patrol allocation system that is based on modern, computer-based GIS as well as other advanced technologies, is essential for the smooth flow of the traffic across the roads and highways of the Emirate. In most of the previous research studies, the researchers used GIS data in order to provide static patrol car allocation solution based mathematical formulations using linear programming concepts and GIS. In this article, the proposed system is able to deal dynamically with varying traffic situations (travel time) caused by accidents or other unexpected events over the space (GIS) and time; and at the same time provide an advanced AI-based decision support service to the officer in charge of monitoring and regulating the flow of traffic under all conditions. By using AI, this system will be more accurate, realistic and comprehensive relative to other systems. In future, the proposed system will be deployed with other real-time systems which collect real-time data about incidents, traffic, etc. This deployment will enrich the system with the real-time aspect.

Hussain Al-Harthei, Traffic and Patrols Directorate, Abu Dhabi Police Oualid (Walid) Ben Ali, University of Sharjah Atef Garib, Traffic and Patrols Directorate, Abu Dhabi Police This project has been supported and sponsored by the Traffic and Patrol Directorate of the Abu Dhabi Police Department

37 | Geointelligence MAY- JUNE 2014

cars allocation have produced fully automated systems by using two techniques: optimal location formulations from the operational research and linear programming fields; and GIS. This project aims to benefit from advances in specific technologies and real-time observation and measurements of traffic conditions in order to develop an efficient real-time patrol allocation system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

internal Security

Geospatial Arsenal For

Geolocation awareness is critical to homeland security in today’s complex and fast-paced world. Rapid advancements in geolocation technology provide unprecedented transparency of hazards, threats, and vulnerabilities to security missions.

38 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

G

eospatial capabilities offer tremendous potential for driving new cost efficiencies and operational effectiveness for homeland security missions.

Geospatial data and technology improve the ability of information technology applications and systems to enhance public security and provide for more effective situational awareness and delivery of a common operating picture. Geospatial information is often the common denominator that links disparate information together to reveal the necessary context and understanding required to connect the dots, and generate actionable information vital for effective decision-making.

Location is everything to homeland security. Without geospatial context, we cannot understand where and how events are occurring, nor can we rationalise why they are occurring. The location component is the ‘make or break’ for nearly all homeland security operations from back office functions such as facilities management,

to frontline operations in disaster response, border security, customs enforcement, critical infrastructure and threat reduction.

However, speed, fidelity and information vectors have introduced new challenges to the transformation of homeland security capabilities, culture and comprehension required to overcome the failures of policy, imagination and capabilities, like they were redlined in the 9/11 Commission Report in the United States. The homeland security geospatial community needs to deliver capabilities that are fast, reliable, interoperable, easy-to-use and integrated with the mission. It must focus on delivering the right technology at the right time to the right users and place the power of geospatial intelligence in the hands of homeland security operators. From a pragmatic standpoint, the geospatial community needs to develop a culture of preparedness — First Responder Mindset — fight like you train; train like you fight; correct what does not work. This will build trust between geospatial practitioners and frontline us-

ers, increase technology adoption, and ensure that geospatial information is better understood. While the geospatial community must remain cognizant of how geospatial data and tools are being used, vigilance in homeland security demands placing situational awareness capability in the hands of the mission operators and frontline responders. No longer is it acceptable to keep a close hold on geospatial information and technology; especially, given the ubiquity and success of consumer offerings such as Google Earth and OpenStreetMap.

US Homeland Security geospatial strategy Homeland security is the expression of the nation. It is an amalgamation of policy and functions that encompass a diverse set of missions spanning public safety, law enforcement, emergency management, intelligence and analysis, cyber and maritime security, risk mitigation and homeland defence. This broad homeland security enterprise requires interactions across the entire spectrum of a nation

National Geospatial Policy Landscape

National System for Geospatial National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)

— among federal, state, and local governments, private sector and community organisations, between academia and the research and development industry; and perhaps most importantly, participation from citizens.

In the United States, geospatial strategy for homeland security, perhaps one of the best in the world, is based on whole-of-nation approach.

It encompasses a national geospatial policy landscape that is cross-domain (unclassified and classified), incorporates collaborative governance between the civilian and defence/ intelligence communities, leverages a national spatial data infrastructure that incorporates all sectors, relies on shared resources and capabilities from the whole of community, and establishes a standards-based architecture that supports data and system interoperability.

This national geospatial framework is aligned to the homeland se-

OMB circulars National Preparedness System (PPD 8)

Executive orders

Critical Infrastructure/Cyber Security (PPD 21)

National Information Sharing Strategy (ISE)

curity mission and business functions through a Geospatial Concept of Operations (GeoCONOPS) that serves as a mission blueprint for understanding the points of coordination across the geospatial ecosystem supporting the homeland security enterprise. The GeoCONOPS describes the who, what, and the how of the geospatial community as well as what geospatial activities, data, best practices and technical capabilities are needed to be successful. This fusion of geospatial capabilities with business requirements is leading to a transformation in geospatial technical architecture that is based on authoritative and trusted geospatial data sources supplemented by derivative geospatial analytic products and volunteered geographic data.

The geospatial information sharing components of this emerging homeland security geospatial architecture are grounded in the principles of data

Presidential directives Digital Governance Strategy (data.gov) Federal Geographic Data Committee (OMBA-16)

and system interoperability that encompass the doctrine of responsible and safe geospatial information sharing that recognises the need for data portability and data stewardship.

Homeland security operations trans-

Effective homeland security is not about prescribing a single map viewer; it is about enabling integrated operations through an information Web

39 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

Public laws/US codes

internal Security

40 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

Common Operating and Foundational Data

fix harsh operating environments.

Any geospatial architecture must provide support for disconnected access and offer identity credentialing and access management controls to facilitate data safeguarding. The emerging geospatial interoperability reference architecture provides the means to integrate geospatial strategy with national strategies for: identity, credentialing, and access management (i.e.

GFIPM); information sharing (i.e.

NIEM and OGC specifications); and technology and standards (i.e. NIST, S&T R&D).

The delivery infrastructure supporting this geospatial information sharing strategy is based on the notion of core capabilities expressed through the GeoCONOPS. These core capabilities are realised as shared resources with integrated, federated search capabilities that are orchestrate-able across network domains. This Webbased geospatial delivery infrastructure includes federal resources such as the Homeland Security Geospatial Information Infrastructure (GII), the Department of Interior Geospatial platform, the Intelligence Community Geospatial-Intelligence Online that are linked to resources such as the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) GIS inventory and other private sectors offerings.

Supporting a ‘no wrong door policy’,

through the establishment of a geospatial resource federation provides for more immediate access to the most relevant geospatial information and ensures location-based information is based on reliable, trusted data sources.

Effective homeland security is not about prescribing a single map viewer; it is about enabling integrated operations through an information Web that better ensures our shared missions are working off a common set of information that is consumable within respective situational awareness solutions.

This approach values the importance of geospatial metadata and geo-tagging to facilitate near real-time information exchange and the search, discovery, and retrieval of geospatial data best suited to a user’s need.

Emerging trends Homeland security is already starting to apply new advances in geospatial capability to employ more effective hazard mitigation and risk management strategies and detect and respond to terrorism and disaster related threats with more speed and agility. Emergent areas such as big data, social media/crowdsourced information, Internet of Things, Firstnet, next generation 911, secure information exchange, zero trust networks, smart analytics, full motion

video, drones and unmanned aerial surveillance, remote sensing and LiDAR, and 3D landscape and geospatial immersion offer tremendous opportunities for new science and technology research initiatives and practitioner-based innovations.

Homeland security geospatial practitioners, technology firms, and data providers are moving beyond maps and cartography toward location-based decision support. There is a wave of geospatial analytic and location-based services representing innovations across wireless, sensor, data management and feature extraction technologies. These innovations combined with advanced manufacturing techniques will usher in a new renaissance for geographers and a golden age of actionable information sharing in homeland security. Sustaining this geospatial renaissance will require geospatial tradecraft that relies on geospatial competencies and skills. Geospatial techniques such as agent-based modelling, terrestrial simulation, remotely sensed differential change detection, geofencing and near real-time geo-alerting that are plugged into the Internet of Things (sensor web), supported by crowdsourced information and built through the democratisation of situational awareness. This transformation in geospatial intelligence compels a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) that leverages public and private sector contributions, includes participation from all sectors, and ensures representation from operators (users), data providers, university and research labs, and ordinary citizens.

The Homeland Security geospatial community is a microcosm of a larger geospatial marketplace comprised of multiple communities of practice with overlapping communities of interest that benefit from cross-fertilisation to stimulate creativity.

David J. Alexander, Federal Homeland Security Expert & Director, Geospatial Management Office, US Department of Homeland Security david.alexander1@hq.dhs.gov

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Interview

The NextGen Computing Skeptics question their concept of quantum computing, but the company feels that it is redefining the computing world with its quantum technology. Is it a real revolution or just wishful thinking? In an interview with GeoIntelligence, Vern Brownell, CEO, D-Wave Systems, tells us why they are here to stay Can you tell us about quantum computing? What are its advantages?

A quantum computer is radically different from a conventional computer. Its promise lies in the ability to offer an unprecedented speedup for certain types of application over existing classical computers. Problems that would take these classical computers a lifetime to solve may become solvable in minutes with a quantum computer. Furthermore, with classical methods, regardless of how big a supercomputer you build, there will always be applications that can’t be solved.

Quantum computing offers an entirely new type of computational capability.

There is a lot of research going on in quantum computing, and it’s really one of the most interesting things going on in science today. Our mission is to build something that is practical and useful for solving real world problems. Some of the early verticals that we’ve focussed on include defence and intelligence. Our first customer was Lockheed Martin, and we have sold systems to Google and NASA as well. We’re working with the intelligence community, and that’s a real focus area for us.

How are you commercialising this technology? Do you also have some hardware products?

We offer a few different services. Our main business model is based on providing subscription services to our computers.

Customers can sign up for a three-year contract to gain access to a D-Wave computer through the cloud. Along with that, we work with each particular customer to find the best use of our software. This type of collaboration with our partners, where we work with them to determine how we’re going to use this capability to solve problems, is the most important business for us. For example, one of our partners is Lockheed Martin. Since they understand our system quite well, they can help customers who want to have a system integration partner provider capability.

We’ve been working with them as integrators on several projects for the past three or four years now.

We do have a model where a customer can purchase a machine, but most customers opt for a leasing model. We expect a number of purchases in the next few years for those customers who want to have their own secure

machine. As for hardware, the fundamental capability of D-Wave is driven by hardware. A D-Wave computer is a large machine, and there are three racks of equipment that go along with it. The hardware is very complex, but we are developing more software tools and capabilities to go along with it.

That’s a big growth area for us.

You said that the primary advantage is the accuracy of computing. What kind of applications would this

be capable of, especially, in the defence sector?

There are three main categories of applications that we focus on. One is machine learning, which teaches algorithms to do certain tasks that are very difficult to programme. This application is very popular in big data analysis. Examples of this kind of task include image matching, and searching through videos for patterns.

Another category of problems involve optimisation, or looking for an optimal solution to a very complicated logistics problem. In the defence department and at NASA, there are very complex missions that need optimisation, and they’re always looking for better tools to do that. Optimisation problems can be found in many kinds of applications, from pattern matching to finding inferences in data.

The third main category is called sampling. This involves looking through data, often through a certain filter, very quickly, for changes in the data. For ex-

ample, if you’re trying to defend against a missile attack, and you’re trying to draw some conclusions about what to

We focous on three categories of applications : one is machine learning, teaching algorithms to do tasks. Second is optimisation problems; and the third is sampling

43 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

This is a new technology.

Interoperability with the legacy systems and existing systems might be a big challenge. How do you overcome this challenge?

There are a number of levels of operability. First, to make the interface easy, we’ve developed APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that are really quite easy to use - in C++, Java, Python, and MATLAB - all the environments that most computer scientists are used to. Right now, it’s almost a web-based transactional service and a great computing resource for all our customers. For example, Google tested our computer remotely before purchasing it, successfully running millions of problems across the internet.

We are also able to install our system in traditional data centers - one is installed at NASA Ames in California and the other at USC in California. For hardware installation, there are just a few simple requirements. Quantum computers have to be shielded from all radiation and magnetic activities, and they need 15 kilowatts of available power. The system also requires a minimum of vibration on the floor, so we conduct testing before we conclude that a particular site is suitable. The computers will fit in most data centers but as it is a little bigger than most cabinets, there are some size constraints. However, over time, we’ll make it smaller, so that it will be just a couple of racks, or standard data center racks, which would be good for any data center. In general, we see our computer being used in several ways, like being integrated into existing computing environments.

Interview

44 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

do very quickly, our quantum computer would be helpful.

There will be other categories as the power of our machine grows. Right now, it is a second generation processor, so it is still in the very early stages of development.

Skeptics have questioned your concept of quantum computing. What do you have to say to them? How do you try and create awareness about this technology?

Quantum computing in general, and also quantum mechanics, which are the fundamental laws of the universe on which this technology is based, are not all that well understood. It has only been a hundred years since scientists came up with the theories, and there are still a lot of things unknowns around this science.

More specifically, there are many different ways to build quantum

computers. At D-Wave, we use a technique that was originally devised at MIT in 2000. This is different from what most researchers focus on, which is the gate model of quantum computing — it is very difficult to implement and scale right now. At D-Wave, our focus is on figuring out what kind of quantum computing we can deliver as quickly as possible, so that we can solve problems.

The other difference is that we have chosen, from the beginning, to build this processor as a semi-conductor, whereas most other efforts in quantum computing are around laboratory experiments. For example, Dave Wineland, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics last year for quantum computing, is working on building ion traps, and using lasers to manipulate ions.

It is very complex, but incredible science. However, it would be difficult to scale something like that to thousands of qubits, to make it commercially useful science. So from the very beginning, we decided to work on building a quantum computer from a chip, as a semi-conductor. I know it sounds kind of obvious, but we are the only ones who are doing that. It is hard to do. It’s hard to build any kind of new semi-conductor because it involves new metal, and a new kind of process.

The third difference is that we’re a commercial company. We’re trying to solve real customer problems. We’re not just doing our research for the pure science, although we have published dozens of peer-reviewed articles that have contributed to the literature on quantum computing. We are very much engaged with science, but our primary mission is to build something which is useful.

Are you also trying to develop some kind of solutions for customers or do you just provide the hardware and software?

We are becoming more and more solution focussed. For example, Lockheed Martin has a software verification and validation system, which enables it to test flight control systems in an efficient way. But this is a

very expensive process for the company. So, although we have this kind of capability, we don’t have off-theshelf tools for carrying out verification and validation. But through our partnership with Lockheed Martin, we are able to deliver such capabilities. Lockheed Martin is providing the framework, and we are providing the computational resources for it.

This is an example of the type of solution that’s emerging. We can collaborate with our customers to achieve advantageous results, and build specific solutions that fit their needs.

Can you tell us about your association with other organisations, like Google?

Google is a visionary organisation in many fields, and we’re thrilled to be working with them. They’re particularly interested in using our technology in the machine learning space.

Another organisation we work with is NASA. Although we’ve taken up different kinds of work together, we’ve mainly been involved with projects related to image recognition.

One project we’re working on with them is mission planning. Another is the search for exoplanets, that is, planets outside our solar system. For this project, they’re analysing massive amounts of data collected from its Kepler and other spacecraft. So we’re working with NASA on several cutting edge applications.

You are fundamentally operating in the US. Are you also trying to explore the global market?

We’ve just started exploring the global market. Right now, however, 90 per cent of our efforts are in the US. There is huge demand for our software capabilities and solution expertise in the US, so we’re trying to expand that business very quickly and grow in this capability. Soon, we want to expand our operations in North America and Asia as well, and we’ve recently hired someone to begin outreach in Asia.

There is a significant interest in the quantum computing market, so we are exploring business opportunities all over the world.

events

MAY

New Delhi, India

Brisbane, Australia

Black Sea Defense & Aerospace

Eurosatory

OCTOBER

www.bsda.ro

ITEC

May 20-22, 2014 Cologne Messe Germany www.itec.co.uk

ILA Berlin Airshow May 20 - 25, 2014 Berlin ExpoCenter Airport Berlin, Germany

www.ila-berlin.de/ila2014/besucher/ informationen_e.cfm

June 16-20, 2014 Paris, France

JULY Farnborough International Airshow

Expodefensa 2014

July 14-20, 2014 Farnborough, United Kindgom www.farnborough.com

www.udt-global.com

GeoIntelligence India June 12-13, 2014 JW Marriott, Aerocity

www.expodefensa.com.co

Africa Aerospace and Defence

Indo Defence 2014

GPEC

June 10-12, 2014 ACC Liverpool, United Kingdom

October 29-31 Bogota, Columbia

NOVEMBER

46th Power Sources Conference

UDT

www.euronaval.fr

SEPTEMBER

JUNE

powersourcesconference.com/index.html

Euronaval 2014 October 27-31, 2014 Paris Le Bourget France

www.eurosatory.com

September 17 - 21, 2014 AFB Waterkloof Centurion, South Africa

June 9-12, 2014 Orlando Wyndham Resort, Orlando Florida, United States

www.landforces.com.au/exposition/index.asp

www.aadexpo.co.za

September 9-11, 2014 Leipzig, Germany www.gpec.de

Africa Aerospace and Defence September 17-21, 2014 City Of Tshwane Centurion, South Africa www.aadexpo.co.za

Land Forces 2014 September 22- 25, 2014

November 5-8, 2014 Kemayoran , Jakarta-Indonesia www.indodefence.com

Airshow China 2014 November 11 - 16, 2014 Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

www.chinaexhibition.com

Geointelligence Brasil November 13-14, 2014 Rio de Janeiro, Brasil geointworld.net/Brasil

Exponaval

December 2-5, 2014 ValparaĂ­so, Chile

http://www.exponaval.cl

45 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

May 14 - 16, 2014 Bucharest, Romania

www.geointworld.net

report

The tenth edition of Geoint Symposium was held at Tampa, Florida, recently

G James R Cla p of Na tiona per, Directo l Inete lligen r ce (D

46 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

NI), U

S

l tiona of Na y (NGA) r o t c e Dir genc Long, ence A Letitia ial-Intellig at Geosp

EOINT 2013* Symposium, organised annually by the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF), was held at Tampa Convention Centre, Tampa, Florida, from April 14-17, 2014. The symposium, which is renowned for its keynote addresses, educational and training sessions and exhibition, provided an excellent opportunity for networking to the geointelligence community. The conference was originally scheduled to be held in October 2013.

However, it had to be postponed due to the unprecedented US federal government shutdown. It was therefore held in April this year, with most of the original agenda intact.

The symposium was spread over four days. Day 1, designated as Geoint Foreword, was the symposium’s pre-conference session dedicated to innovation, emerging trends and academia. The session was introduced

by Dr Darryl Mordock, Vice President Professional Development, USGIF. Dave Snowden, founder and chief scientific officer of the consulting firm Cognitive Edge (not to be confused with Edward Snowden!) delivered the first keynote. He suggested the use of human sensors from ordinary life to create a network. Open source data produced by human geography is valuable, he emphasised. This was followed by selected brief talks, called ‘lightening talks’, on subjects such as crowd sourced imagery, maritime geoint and race cars. The afternoon

was dedicated to talks on subjects such as crowd sourced imagery, interoperability and special ops.

Whistle Blowing and Other Challenges On Day 2, the first keynote address was delivered by James R Clapper, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), US, who said that the past 18 months, marked by ‘Sequestration, Snowden, Syria and Shutdown’, have been the toughest in his 50+ years in the intelligence business. Though he was happy with the way the intelligence community responded to these challenges, he was extremely critical of the adverse and exaggerated media coverage to the national security ‘leaks’.

Shift to Immersive Intelligence Director Letitia Long, National Goespatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), in her keynote address spoke about the vision of the NGA. She recommended a shift to ‘immersive’ intelligence. “By immersion I mean living, interacting and experimenting with the data in a multimedia, multi-sensory experience with geoint at its core,” she stated.

Intelligence analysts need to be able to completely get involved in the intelligence gathering activity and have the cooperation of all available sources and agencies. Only through collaboration could the challenges be overcome. Investment in research and technology should be focussed

Delegates at the Conference

Be Prepared for Change Lt Gen Michael Flynn, Director, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), highlighted the need for intelligence agencies to be able to predict change and warned their governments to be prepared accordingly. One issue of concern was increasing world population, resulting in increased urbanisation, shrinking resources and facilities, leading to global tensions.

He predicted that water could be a cause of conflict in future.

Joint Collaboration Need of the Hour Taking centre stage on Day 3, Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Gen Lloyd J Austin, said that despite the large jurisdiction of his command and the heightened tensions in number of regions, he was not perturbed, since he was assured of reliable and timely intelligence. He recalled instances in his career when intelligence inputs had helped him to suitably plan operations. “The keys to success are continued integration,

cooperation and collaboration,�

Austin said, referring to the military and intelligence agencies.

Space, Not Sky, is the Limit In her keynote, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Director Betty Sapp stated that the intelligence community can literally rise to higher levels by moving into space. For the last decade or so, NRO has been working with sensors on airborne platforms operating at 50,000 ft with excellent results, particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq. With sensors in space, it would provide much larger, near global access. She described some key NRO R&D initiatives, such as High Altitude LiDAR Operational Equipment (HALOE), presently functioning from airborne platforms, but would eventually move to space.

Sentinel Enterprise Programme is another innovation, meant for ground infrastructure, which will enable NRO to be more responsive and predictive when using its space assets.

She concluded her talk by stating that a stable and capable work force was of prime importance for NRO, to enable it to deliver its future goals.

Lt Ge ne of Defe ral Micha el nce In tellige Flynn, Dir e nce A gency ctor (DIA)

47 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

on persistence, anticipatory analysis and immersive intelligence, she said.

report

General Lloyd J Austin, Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM)

Special Forces Biggest Users of Geointelligence

48 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

There were two keynotes on Special Operations on Day 4. Admiral William McRaven, Commander US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in his keynote explained that events in one part of the world have an effect in other regions as well. His command troops operate globally, currently employed in as many as 84 countries.

Accurate and timely geointelligence is critical to retaining supremacy.

Quite often, special forces operate in conjunction with local regional partners, particularly in the war against terrorism, and sharing intelligence with them is a complex issue.

In his keynote address, Lt Gen Joseph L Votel, Commander Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), talked about the tremendous change that has taken place in the way that intelligence is gathered, analysed and provided to the war fighter. Intelligence and operations are so intertwined that one cannot do without the other. He referred to the difficulty in extracting useful intelligence from the vast amount of data available. He emphasised the importance of data analysts, stating that technology may have helped develop numerous techniques, these would never be able to replace the experience based on- the- ground decision making or the intelligence analyst-operator relationship. Special Forces operate in a variety of different terrains and situations including anti-terrorism and combating cyber crime. Their demand and dependence on intelligence is much more than other conventional troops.

Need for US to Invest in Space Representative CA Dutch Reppersperger, who is a Ranking Member of the House Permanent

Admiral William McRaven, Commander US Special Operations Command

Select Committee on Intelligence, recommended greater investment in space industry. He wanted that US should be ahead of Russia and China in space technology. Government must not compete with industry, he suggested. Instead, government should focus more on R&D and let the industry look at the commercial side, such as supplying imagery or satellite launches.

‘Do More With Less’ Lt Gen Raymond Palumbo, Director for Defence Intelligence (Warfighter Support) in his keynote addressed the challenge of being able to deliver in an environment of shrinking budgets. He recommended internal housekeeping as the solution, taking stock of existing assets and ensuring their optimum utilisation. Another technique to overcome shortage of resources is prioritizing - focussing only on the most critical requirements.

Need to Address Both Traditional and Non-traditional Geoint Methods The last keynote of the symposium was delivered by Robert Cardillo, Deputy Director for national intelligence for intelligence integration.

In his address, he spoke about the

“Accurate and timely geoint is critical to retaining supremacy. Special Forces operate in conjunction with local partners and sharing intelligence with them is a complex issue”

need to adopt both traditional and non-traditional geoint methods. Apart from the threats highlighted by other speakers, he said that there was a need to keep a special eye on the Soviets, particularly in the light of recent developments in Ukraine. He stressed on the importance of integration and sharing within the intelligence community. Towards that end, he felt that the symposium was a great opportunity for networking between all sections of the geoint community.

National Security Workshop Geoint symposium conducted its first ever National Security Workshop on public safety. Speaking at the workshop,

Conclusion This was the 10th edition of the symposium, which has grown considerably in size and stature over the years. The head count this year was close to 4000 delegates from over 40 countries. There were as many as 300 exhibitors from industry, academia and government agencies. It was a nostalgic moment for Stu Shea, Founder and Chairman of the Board, who stepped down. He has seen the USGIF grow from humble beginnings to a 240 member organisation.

Keith Masback, CEO of USGIF, was appreciative of members, sponsors, speakers and attendees for their support, despite the sequestration and the federal shutdown resulting in the postponement of the event.

Training During the afternoon sessions, the symposium organised professional development training totaling 30 hours.

Subjects covered included SAR, mobile geoint tradecraft, spatial literacy, predictive threat analysis/detection and a course for analysts and operations officers. Certificates of attendance were given to the participants.

Stu Shea, Founder and Chairman of the Board

49 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

Representative CA Dutch Reppersperger

Maj Gen William N Reddel III, Adjt Gen of New Hampshire, recounted numerous instances in the last 10 years when the geoint community had given invaluable intelligence inputs for national security and public safety. There have been lapses too, the 9/11 attack being one of them, where the official report had found shortcomings with the intelligence community. Inadequate sharing of information between various agencies and organisations was a lapse then. Speakers at the workshop felt that this problem has yet not been fully addressed. Jack Dangermond, President Esri, delivered the keynote address at the workshop, which had seven panelists representing various security and public safety agencies. He described the global security environment and highlighted the flash points. With this backdrop, he emphasised the need for a common language for all those who were required to respond in crisis situations. Web GIS, which leverages services such as mobile apps, Big Data and cloud computing, could be the key enabler, he felt.

Image Courtesy: DigitalGlobe

Image intelligence

50 | Geointelligence MAY - JUNE 2014

The Ukraine Crisis Ukraine found itself in turmoil following the ousting of pro-Russian President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014. This was followed by a series of changes including the installation of a new interim government, restoration of an older version of the Constitution, and the call to hold impromptu presidential elections within months.

Russia has accused the US and the EU of funding and supporting the anti-Yanukovych movement. It has also refused to recognise the new interim government, and seized control of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine. This led to a showdown between the western countries and Russia with the former slapping sanctions against the latter. Russia, however, maintains that it is their duty to protect pro-Russia supporters in the south-east Ukraine who are being targeted by the interim government of Ukraine. Even though the Ukrainian presidential elections are scheduled to be held on May 25, 2014, pro-Russian activists held a referendum on May 11, 2014, to decide the fate of eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the presidential elections as a move ‘in the right direction’.

Text Courtesy: Wikipedia; BBC

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