GIS application in the armed forces

Abstract

The military used to seek for technologies that could potentially give superiority over hostile forces. Military research projects created several GIS-related technologies; some GIS software
was also developed by the armed forces. It is primarily used in military cartography to produce more accurate and up-to-date maps. NATO obliges its members to produce maps according to the common standards, in example vector layers known as Vector Smart Map (VMap) or numerical terrain models such as DTED. Currently, 28 states are working jointly on a massive project, dubbed Multinational Geospatial Co-production Program (MGCP) which should result in acquiring detailed and valid vector maps by using satellite scenes instead of old topographic maps. Numerical terrain models are used for several GIS analysis: checking visibility, choosing paths, troop deployment and movement planning, flooding simulations or training. NMT can be utilized as a guidance system for cruise missiles by using a radar to scan the land surface and comparing it – automatically – with the model loaded into the missile before launching (another, alternative system includes satellite images). The Polish Armed Forces currently deploy several specialized software packages and command support systems. Most common GIS software is the Operational Graphics Package (PGO) developed by the Ministry of Defence and is available in all military bases. Command support systems like Jaśmin or Szafran, fielded in 2007, increase commander’s capabilities and tactical awareness by providing real-time information about the situation on the battlefield. They usually include Blue Force Tracking, which displays position of the troops using GPS tracking devices. Finally, GIS is employed within the battlefield simulation systems, which support training of officers as well as enlisted personnel, providing a virtual warzone. In the Polish military, Złocień system offers simulations covering the entire territory of Poland and neighboring states, training commanders to control large group of forces during the entire campaigns.