issn 2277 – 3126 rni no. upeng/2011/37063 100 us$ 10 · printed at ht media limited, b-2,...
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Vol. 5 Issue 2 MAR – APR 2015
RNI NO. UPENG/2011/37063 `100 US$ 10ISSN 2277 – 3126
Architecture for Internal Security Decision Support System | P.21
Aircraft Recognition Training Using 3D Terrain Models | P. 35
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GIS Adoption: An Indian PerspectiveSpatial data is of crucial importance to the Military Commander in the battle and for decision-maker planning operational contingencies
Brig Arun Sahgal (Retd)
Pg 32
Aircraft Recognition Training Using 3D Terrain ModelsAircraft recognition training is essential for every soldier in air defenceBrig SC Sharma (Retd)
Pg 35
Interview
Chairman MP Narayanan
Publisher Sanjay Kumar
Managing Editor Lt Gen (Dr) AKS Chandele (Retd)
Executive Editor Bhanu Rekha
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REGULAR SECTIONSEditorial........................................05
News..............................................06
Events............................................42
Guest Articles
India’s National Security Voids in Geospatial AppsGeospatial information is a crucial component for efficient threat analysis, response to and recovery from natural disasters and promoting rapid sharing of critical information
Lt Gen (Dr) Rajesh Pant (Retd)
Pg 18
Architecture for Internal Security Decision Support SystemOpening up of automated information services on internal security matters could be the harbinger of the proposed internal security mechanism that would defeat a threat gaining ground across the country
Lt Gen Gautam Banerjee (Retd)
Pg 21
Defining Learning Patterns in Geographical Information SystemsConcept Definition Fomula (CDF), Input Processing Output (IPO), Model View Controller (MVC) and Data Information Knowedge Decision (DIKD) are some of the fundamental learning patterns exhibited by Geographic Information Systems (GIS). And the effectiveness of these learning patterns are exhibited and exercised by GIS in different forms
Narayan Panigrahi
Pg 26
Cover im
age: Sw
iss Federal office of topography
David Belton, General Manager, Geospatial Services, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd (MDA)
Pg 39
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Despite the phenomenal progress made in Information Technology and Military Engineering in the past few decades, the adoption of geospatial technologies by armed forces globally has been rather slow due to the numerous challenges faced.
One of the major challenges faced is the cost and complexity of geospatial solutions. In an era of diminishing defence budgets, this transformation is usually given lesser importance. The complexity of such systems adds to the resistance to change. Then, there is a difficult choice of whether to upgrade legacy systems or to procure new ones, obviously at a much higher cost. Whatever the choice, there will be the need to ensure interoperability between the new and the legacy systems. This interoperability must be across all functional levels as also between different services, i.e., Army, Navy, Air Force and Para Military and Central Armed Police Forces, and also joint standards, to enable successful joint operations. Apart from the high cost of the systems themselves is the issue of availability and access and the high cost of remote sensing data. Then there is the issue of storage of a huge amount of data and ensuring its reliability and security. The industry is more than ready with latest dedicated geospatial solutions, but there is a problem of holding the attention of decision makers. And, to add to their woes is the ever so complicated procurement process. Therefore, the time taken between the choice of a geospatial product to its final implementation is usually a long one.
The current global spectrum of conflict encompasses sub conventional operations, low intensity conflicts, counter terrorism operations, aerospace, maritime and amphibious operations and recently anti satellite (ASAT) operations. In such a scenario, the need for being network-enabled is not a choice, but a dire necessity. In such a distributed operational environment, both in time and space with multiple stakeholders, the need for network centricity was never as pressing as it is now. Geographical systems are the facilitators which ensure the networking and net-centricity would not be feasible without GIS support.
Analysts and political, military and industry leaders of most developing nations understand the need for transformation and the challenges in the adoption of geospatial technologies. The roadmap and timelines may vary, but a lot will depend on the leadership’s resolve and commitment in preparing and sticking to a comprehensive plan for transformation. For any developing nation to pursue its goal towards this transformation, the government must be an active and constructive partner and come out with adequate budgets and supporting policies that help to shorten procurement cycles and adopt capabilities based acquisition. It may take a decade or two before the geospatial concepts are fully realised, but certainly it is in the nature of any transformation that the process will never be complete.`
Edit
oria
l Adoption of Geospatial Technologies Will Enhance Combat Potential
Lt Gen (Dr) AKS Chandele PVSM, AVSM (Retd) Managing Editor
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Sikorsky Wins Contract for ALIAS Programme Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. a USD 8 million contract for Phase 1 of the Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) programme.
The objective of DARPA’s ALIAS programme is to develop and insert new automation into existing aircraft to enable operation with reduced on-board crew. The programme seeks to leverage the considerable advances that have been made in aircraft auto-mation systems, including progress made in remotely piloted aircraft, to help reduce pilot workload, augment mission performance, and improve aircraft safety. Sikorsky’s approach to ALIAS is based on its Matrix Technol-ogy to develop, test and field systems and software that improve significant-ly the capability, reliability and safety of flight for autonomous, optionally pi-loted, and piloted vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. Matrix aims
to give rotary and fixed-wing aircraft the high level of system intelligence needed to complete complex missions with minimal human oversight.
According to the company’s press release, Sikorsky Innovations, along with its teammates – the United Tech-nologies Research Center, the Nation-al Robotics Engineering Center, and Veloxiti, Inc. – plan to demonstrate the value of applying autonomous technology across different aircraft consistent with the ALIAS vision, including the Black Hawk helicopter and other aircraft in the Department of Defense fleet.
Stryker Brigades Receive GD-built WIN-T Increment 2The US Army is fielding the General Dynamics-built Warfighter Informa-tion Network – Tactical (WIN-T) In-crement 2 to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division (2/2 SBCT). The WIN-T Increment 2 secure communications network backbone is also fielded to 12 infan-try Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) and four division headquarters.
According to Chris Marzilli, President of General Dynamics Mission Systems, fielding WIN-T Increment 2 to Army Stryker Brigades closes the communications gap be-tween fast moving SBCTs and ‘boots on the ground’ soldiers. The highly mobile and operationally simplified Increment 2 allows soldiers to quick-ly and simultaneously address mul-tiple missions in any environment, across the mission field or between continents. WIN-T is supposedly the Army’s top-tier, mobile command and
control system that connects and pro-tects voice and data communications to support the full spectrum of Army operations worldwide.
Milestones in Satellite Terminal Upgrades AchievedRaytheon Company has completed a number of design and development milestones for a nuclear-hardened command and control system, one year after receiving a USD 134 million US Air Force contract to provide se-cure communications between the president, senior military leaders and the bomber fleet.
The programme to upgrade the satellite terminals for the protected communications network has passed system requirements and preliminary design reviews. The upgrade will mark the first time that the bomber fleet air bases have access to the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellites, which will provide secure, protected communications.
Cubic Wins USD 65 Million CTCs Contract From US ArmyCubic Corporation has won a contract valued at more than USD 65 million for two Combat Training Centers (CTCs) from an undisclosed Middle East Army customer to include US Army versions of I-MILES Tactical Vehicle System (I-MILES TVS), Instrumented-Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System Individual Weapon Systems (I-MILES IWS) and the TVS adapter kit to enable simula-tion of combat vehicles. The solutions will enhance the training capability by providing state-of-the art Tactical En-
VTOL Aircraft. Courtesy: Science museum
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LM to Support US Navy’s Intelligence Sharing SolutionLockheed Martin is planning to support the Navy system that allows secure sharing of sensitive data between un-classified and classified se-curity domains. The US Navy recently awarded Lockheed Martin two contracts with a total ceiling value of USD 90
million to support the Radiant Mercury cross domain solution for five years. While guarding classified data from unauthorised access, the system simul-taneously allows those with the appropriate security classification to retrieve sensitive and critical information. Radiant Mercury supports simultaneous data flows to hundreds of channels, interfaces with most major C4ISR sys-tems, and supports most transport, network and data link protocols.
Used by both US and allied partners at more than 400 sites worldwide, Ra-diant Mercury has streamlined the process of sharing critical operational and intelligence information with coalition forces. Radiant Mercury is believed to be compliant with the Intelligence Community Directive 503 policy, which protects sensitive compartmented information within information systems. It is also approved for both top secret and secret interoperability by the Uni-fied Cross Domain Services Management Office, which lists systems verified to transfer Department of Defence and intelligence community informa-tion between multiple security domains with limited risk. Radiant Mercury is available on the US General Services Administration schedule of products and services.
NEWS
gagement Simulation (TES) systems, an advanced data collection system for video, voice and other training data that is not currently available in the region.
According to a spokesperson from Cubic, CTC solutions enable com-manders and soldiers to rehearse combat skills and tactics, and learn safely in a live battlefield setting. These devices are used during live force-on-force training, and provide the critical real-time digital, audio and video data feedback for forces to achieve and sus-tain mission readiness. Cubic’s MILES solutions enable small and large group training from a custom squadron to a battalion. The systems are also believed to be compatible with legacy equip-ment, ensuring previous investments are preserved and long term cost of ownership is lowered. I-MILES IWS uses laser emitters that attach to mili-tary weapons and on-body sensors to replicate combat and records data for a review. I-MILES TVS, the vehicular adaptation of Cubic’s man-worn Indi-vidual Weapons System, equip tactical vehicles with lasers, sensors and elec-tronics. The I-MILES TVS solution will also include Cubic’s ‘Shooter’ CVS kit to enable superior weapon simulation
and casualty assessment accuracy for vehicles and fixed structure.
USC Receives GEOINT AccreditationThe United States Geospatial Intelli-gence Foundation (USGIF) has recently announced the online graduate certifi-cate in geospatial intelligence from the Spatial Sciences Institute (SSI) at the University of Southern California (USC) as the 12th collegiate programme to re-ceive USGIF accreditation.
SSI, launched in 2010, now offers
students a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in geodesign, geospatial intelligence, geospatial leadership, geohealth, spatial studies, and geographic information science and technology. Students completing the SSI’s online graduate certificate in geospatial intelligence are also el-igible to receive a USGIF GEOINT certificate. Students who graduate from USGIF-accredited programmes receive—along with their accompa-nying college degree or certificate—USGIF’s GEOINT certificate, which
I-MILES Tactical Vehicle System. Courtesy: Peostri army
Intelligence sharing solution. Courtesy: Global military
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Raytheon Unveils Extended Range AMRAAMRaytheon Company has recently started developing an extended range variant of the combat-proven Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM). Designed specifically for ground-based air defense, AMRAAM-ER will enable intercepts at longer range and higher altitudes.
The new missile will be even faster and more maneuverable than the current AMRAAM. By leveraging many existing AMRAAM components, Raytheon can deliver AMRAAM-ER quickly and affordably with very low risk, claims Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Vice President of Air Warfare Systems. Raytheon will integrate AMRAAM-ER into the NASAMS launcher.
According to a spokesperson from the company, NASAMS is the latest and most modern Medium Range Air Defense system. In partnership with KONGSBERG, Raytheon has delivered more than 70 fire units to seven coun-tries. It is the most commonly used Short and Medium Range Air Defense Sys-tem in NATO.
helps ensure the GEOINT Community has a robust workforce. To date, more than 470 students have graduated with USGIF GEOINT certificates from accredited schools across the United States, and several more university programmes are in the pipeline.
According to Dr. Maxwell Baber, USGIF’s Director of academic pro-grammes, the new online geospatial intelligence programme, provides an option for current and aspiring GEO-INT analysts working to advance their professional capabilities.
Maritime Test Bed Help C4I Capability GapsLockheed Martin has recently demonstrated how Maritime Test Bed can help the US Navy accelerate the fielding of various sensor intelligence capabilities in the maritime and joint warfighting environments. According to the company’s press release, the goal of the demonstration was to show how the test bed can bring sig-nificant improvements in advanced sensing, data integration, decision support, electromagnetic support op-erations, enhanced targeting and fire control and non-kinetic fires. These
areas were defined as capability gaps in the Acquisition Gaps for Science & Technology memorandum, which was released by the Navy’s Programme Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, Comput-ers and Intelligence (PEO C4I).
Using data fusion, workflow automation, and electromagnetic visualisation tools, the test bed ingest-ed various types of simulated radar, communications and signals intel-ligence then depicted the emerging tactical situation. Mimicking sea and ashore naval environments, the test bed expedited the entire intelligence cycle from the initial intercept of the signals through the sharing of a fused tactical picture across multiple naval platforms to combat identification which can be used directly by combat systems to determine an appropriate kinetic or non-kinetic response.
Former Director of NGA Joins the UrtheCast BoardUrtheCast Corp. has appointed Letitia Long, former director of the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agen-cy (NGA), to its Board of Directors. It is believed that Ms. Long brings exten-
sive experience in the intelligence and technology industries, most recently serving as the fifth Director of the Na-tional Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) from 2010 to 2014. During her tenure at NGA, she led efforts to estab-lish the agency’s first ‘Map of the World’, for intelligence users. Under her guid-ance, NGA became the first US agency to adopt open-source software devel-opment to deliver its software to first responders for collaboration, during and after natural disasters. Prior to her appointment to NGA, Ms. Long served as the Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) from 2006 until 2010.
Among other professional achievements, Ms. Long has been the recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service, the Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive, the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive (two awards) and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal (three awards). In 2011, she received the Charlie Allen Award for Distinguished Intelligence Service from the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, was decorated with the Medal of Merit by the King of Norway, and was appointed to the rank of Chevalier in the National Order of the Legion of Honor of France. She was also named one of the Most Powerful Women in the D.C. Metro area by Wash-ingtonian magazine in 2013 and was honored with a 2014 Federal 100 Award by FCW magazine.
Former NGA Director Letitia Long.Courtesy: NGA
Raytheon’s AMRAAM. Courtesy: Raytheon
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Esri Cloud Deployment Enables Information SharingLockheed Martin and Esri have deployed commercial software to the Amazon Web Services Commercial Cloud Services (C2S) environment with an intelligence community customer, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), in a move that enables government agencies to better share geospatial intelligence.
A detailed press release by Lockheed Martin reveals that the deployment of the portal for Esri’s ArcGIS provides a single environment for analysts to securely organise and share data throughout the intelligence community and Department of De-fense. It’s also the foundational step in consolidating multiple geospatial intelligence portals into the single NGA-provided portal, resulting in technology and license cost savings. It is believed that ArcGIS connects users to maps and geographic information. Users can create and view maps, com-pile geographic data, analyse mapped information and share geographic in-formation in a range of applications.
BAE to Provide Critical Readiness Support to USThe US Army Space and Missile Defense Command has awarded BAE Systems a two-year contract to pro-vide hardware, software, and systems integration support for the Battlespace Command and Control Center. Under the contract, BAE Systems will perform upgrades to mobile training suites and provide systems and network admin-istration support to the Non-Organic Radar Access programme. The work
will minimise downtime for critical systems and enhance the ability of warfighters to analyse and manage the increasing amounts of data, while shortening the processing time for critical decision making.
Lockheed Martin Bags Contract for M-TADS/PNVSLockheed Martin received a USD 82 million Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract from the US Army for AH-64 Apache helicopter Modernised Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system sustainment. The con-tract is the foundation for a compre-hensive sustainment solution that enables M-TADS/PNVS mission read-iness, reduces operation and support costs, and drives reliability and main-tainability improvements.
During its peak operational tem-po of more than 200,000 flying hours, the M-TADS/PNVS PBL programme averaged a worldwide supply avail-ability rate of 98 percent, increasing mission readiness for the aircrew, says Rob Breter, Apache PBL Senior Pro-gramme Manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. M-TADS/PNVS provides Apache helicopter pi-lots long-range, precision engagement and pilotage capabilities for mission success and flight safety day or night, or in adverse weather conditions. Forward-looking infrared sensors provide enhanced image resolution that enables Apache aircrews to pros-ecute targets and provide situational
awareness in support of ground troops outside detection ranges. Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 1,300 M-TADS/PNVS systems to the US Army and international customers.
Leidos Awarded USD 46 Million Contract by US ArmyLeidos has won a task order by the US Army to provide mission support services to the Communications-Elec-tronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Proto-typing Integration and Testing (PI&T) Directorate. The task order was award-ed under the Rapid Prototyping and Technology Insertion (RPTI) Support Contract.
According to the company’s press release, CERDEC advances soldier capabilities that enable situational awareness and understanding, estab-lish and secure communications, and protect Soldiers from surprise attack. CP&I provides engineering design, consultation and expert support ser-vices for Command, Control, Com-munications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) platform systems integration including design, fabrication, installa-tion, integration, environmental test-ing and fielding support. Under the task order, Leidos will provide support services including research, develop-ment, engineering, design, purchas-ing, fabrication, integration, testing, logistics support, and shipping related to the integration of mission equip-ment into a Metrology System, and related project efforts to support the USMC TMDE test, repair, and calibra-tion mission. The tactical Metrology Systems provide test, repair and cali-bration of Test, Measurement and Di-agnostics Equipment (TMDE) to sup-port safety and mission effectiveness.
Boeing Readies Marine Pilots for High-Profile MissionThe V-22 team of Bell Helicopter and Boeing recently delivered two MV-22 Osprey flight training simulators to the HMX-1 Presidential Airlift Squad-
M-TADS/PNVS system. Courtesy: Lockheed Martin
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DRS Technologies to Upgrade EW E/A-18 Mission DRS Technologies has won access to an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quan-tity contract for the production and delivery of up to 180 Joint Tactical
Terminal-Receivers (JTT-R) for US Navy and Australian EA-18G aircraft. The contract is valued up to USD 12 million and will include JTT-R
production engineering, test set racks, fixtures and tooling. The JTT-R is an ultra-high-frequency receiver that provides near real-time, over the horizon threat data for situational awareness and assessment, threat avoidance, targeting, mission planning and communications.The contract combines purchases for the US Navy and the government of
Australia, under the Foreign Military Sales programme. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, in In-diana is the contracting agency. The US Navy’s EA-18G ‘Growler’ is a variant of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet Block II that conducts Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) missions.
ron, enabling Marine aviators to more efficiently train for their critical and highly-visible transport mission. With the simulators aircrews can rehearse missions without having to fly their tiltrotor aircraft. That reduces fuel use and wear and tear on the V-22s.According to a spokesperson from Boeing, Bell Boeing is also upgrading the Marine Corps’ V-22 maintenance training devices to mirror the latest configuration of the actual aircraft. Specific training aids involve the V-22’s electronics, power plant and emergency egress systems.
BANC3 Receives R&D Contracts from US ArmyBANC3 has been awarded a series of contracts to support the US Army Re-search, Development and Engineering
Command’s (RDECOM) Communica-tions-Electronics Center (CERDEC) in multiple research and development projects.
Valued at USD 35 million, the con-tracts require the company to provide technical research, development and engineering services related to next generation mission-based solutions, including the low profile displays and light weight sensors component tech-nology programme in the visible/near infrared portions of the electro-mag-netic spectrum. BANC3 will develop small, lightweight direct/indirect view imaging sensors, micro-display tech-nology, advanced optics, digital image processors, and corresponding soft-
ware and advanced laser technology, including the small tactical optical ranging module (STORM), the grena-dier laser range finder II, the STORM pre-planned product improvement and the handheld optical augmenta-tion programme. In addition, the com-pany will support command, control, communications, computers, intelli-gence, surveillance, and reconnais-sance systems and systems integration programmes to develop and maintain the infrastructure that is critical to the implementation of best-of-breed war-fighting capabilities.
Comtech to Supply Wave Tube Amplifiers Comtech Telecommunications’ sub-sidiary, Comtech Xicom Technology has won a USD 3.8 million follow-on order from a US based system integra-tor for Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs). The TWTAs are for a major US Army Satellite Communications programme for transportable satellite communications (SATCOM) systems providing voice, data, video confer-encing, Internet and high resolution video connectivity for deployed mili-tary forces.
The TWTAs ordered for the Army application are part of Comtech Xicom Technology’s industry-leading high ef-ficiency TWTA product line and repre-sent the best technology industry has to offer. The units are small and light-weight enough to be mounted directly at the feed of medium-sized antennas and are designed to operate over -40°C to +60°C. They also incorporate up-conversion from L-band for 1-2 GHz input operation and SNMP-based Eth-ernet monitor and control interfaces.
Northrop Wins US Navy’s ALMDS Contract Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a contract from the US Navy for the continued production of the AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine De-tection System (ALMDS). The con-tract includes the production of five ALMDS pod subsystems, support
Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. Courtesy: Battlefield Wikia
US Army Satellite Communication. Courtesy: Army mil
Joint Tactical Terminal-Receivers. Courtesy: Army technology
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ULA Launches the US Navy’s MUOS-3A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the third Mobile User Objective System (MUOS-3) satellite for the United States Navy launched from Space Launch Complex. The MUOS-3 spacecraft will ensure continued mission capability of the existing Ultra High Frequency Satellite Communications system that will provide improved and assured mobile communications to the warfighter.Jim Sponnick, Vice President, Atlas and Delta Programmes, ULA, has revealed that the MUOS-3 spacecraft is the heaviest payload to launch atop an Atlas V launch vehicle. The mission was launched aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) 551 configuration vehicle, which includes a 5 m diameter payload fairing along with five Aerojet Rocketdyne solid rocket motors at-tached to the Atlas booster. MUOS is a next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system designed to significant-ly improve ground communica-tions to US forces on the move and around the globe.
equipment, spares, and technical sup-port. The ALMDS is mounted on an MH-60S helicopter. Flying over sea lanes, it finds and geolocates mine-like objects with its pulsed laser light and streak tube receivers by imaging, in 3-D, day or night, the near-surface of the ocean.
According to Doug Shaffer, Direc-tor, electronic attack/maritime systems integration, Northrop Grumman Aero-space Systems, the airborne sensor has the capability to keep sailors out of the minefield and Northrop is producing it while reducing the per-pod price over previous buys that helps enable the Navy to meet their cost targets.
SFS Wins US Navy C4ISR Systems Task OrdersSalient Federal Solutions (SFS) has re-ceived awards for three task orders, from the Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) Training Development Support Center (TDSC). The task orders were awarded under the SPAWAR C4ISR Training Sup-port Contract. The contract supports the US Navy Command, Control, Commu-nications, Computers, Intelligence, Sur-veillance, and Reconnaissance (C4IS-R)’s networks and systems.
The SPAWAR Pacific, Training De-velopment Support Center, is the Na-vy’s Acquisition Commands Training Support Activity specialists. With this contract, Salient broadens its training delivery footprint for US Navy custom-ers that are looking to improve efficien-cy and readiness of their programmes of record. Under these task orders, Salient will provide training analyses, curriculum development, conducting an Analysis of Alternatives and Design Analysis for the Virtual Training Envi-ronment Project, and creating a Train-ing Situation Analysis Report for a ma-jor Navy shipboard network.
Thales to Support UH-60L Cockpit Upgrade Thales has been awarded a contract to support Northrop Grumman in the US Army’s UH-60L Black Hawk cock-
pit upgrade programme. The company will supply its i-FMS200 flight man-agement system software to Northrop for integration into the avionics mis-sion equipment package being de-veloped for the modernisation of the UH-60L cockpit. The upgraded version of the Black Hawk helicopter will be designated as UH-60V.
In addition to i-FMS200, Thales will also supply the civilian-certified TOP Star 200 GPS system, which is expect-ed to upgrade more than 750 helicop-ters under the UH-60V programme. Designed to replicate the newer UH-60M pilot-vehicle interface, Northrop’s next-generation digital cockpit solution features a centralised processor with a partitioned, modular operational flight programme with an integrated architecture that offers new capabilities through software-only solutions rather than hardware additions.
Raytheon Acquires Tucson-based SensintelRaytheon Company has acquired pri-vately-held Sensintel, provider of un-manned aircraft systems (UAS) solu-tions to the intelligence and special operations markets. Located in Tucson, Sensintel will become part of Raytheon Company’s Missile Systems business.Dr Taylor W Lawrence, President, Ray-theon Missile Systems, believes that Sensintel’s expertise in unmanned air-craft systems solutions makes it a natu-ral fit with Raytheon’s Advanced Missile Systems product line. The acquisition of Sensintel enhances the growth pros-pects of Raytheon’s UAS business and the advanced capabilities that they can offer to their customers. According to
Black Hawk aircraft. Courtesy: War2hobby
MUOS satellite. Courtesy: ULA
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a spokesperson from Raytheon, Sen-sintel brings additional strong talent, technology, and relationships with the Special Operations Command (SO-COM), Office of Naval Research and US Air Force Research Laboratory to Ray-theon and its customers. The compa-ny claims to be a leader in expendable remote sensing and UAS engineering, serving both government and com-mercial customers by optimising and integrating mission-specific sensors and sub-systems into manned and unmanned platforms. It also provides training, technical and operational support to military, scientific and com-mercial sectors.
Northrop Performs Cyber Readiness InspectionNorthrop Grumman Corporation pro-vided invaluable assistance for the US Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Excel-lent rating from the Command Cyber Readiness Inspection (CCRI) conduct-ed on the Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center (MDIOC) net-works at Schriever Air Force Base. The CCRI evaluates a site’s compliance with information assurance and network de-
Training and Education Command (TECOM)
Dave Barile, Project Manager, Battelle National Security, believes that Battelle and GISi provide a unique combination of geographic informa-tion systems expertise, systems and software engineering, and a thorough understanding of aircraft and weap-on characteristics, that combine with military training experience. RMTK is a suite of tools and a software appli-cation designed to help military per-sonnel conduct rigorous and frequent training exercises. Currently used by military training managers, RMTK is a suite of tools and a software appli-cation designed to help military per-sonnel conduct rigorous and frequent training exercises. It enables operators to train for the employment of direct and indirect-fire weapons systems such as machine guns, field artillery and mortars, in addition to dropping bombs or shooting guns, rockets and missiles from aircraft and helicopters.
MUOS-3 Satellite Responds to CommandsThe third Mobile User Objective System (MUOS-3) satellite built by Lockheed Martin for the US Navy is now respond-ing to commands after being launched. An initialisation team, led by the com-pany, is operating the MUOS-3 satel-lite from the Naval Satellite Operations Center located at the Naval Base Ventu-ra County, Point Mugu, California.
A company press release reveals that the satellite constellation operates like a smart phone network in the sky, vastly improving current secure mobile satellite communications for warfight-ers on the move. Unlike previous sys-tems, MUOS provides users an on-de-mand, beyond-line-of-sight capability to transmit and receive high-quality, prioritised voice and mission data, on a high-speed Internet Protocol-based system. MUOS is the Navy’s next generation secure mobile satellite com-munications system which will eventu-ally replace the legacy Ultra High Fre-quency (UHF) Follow-On system.
fense policies and configuration stand-ards for technologies as dictated by the Department of Defense (DOD) security technical implementation guide.
The CCRI is a five-day comprehen-sive, graded inspection involving all cybersecurity areas including physical security, administration, training, net-work configuration, network operations, organisational culture and leadership management. The MDIOC is the US DOD’s premier missile defense center for integration, deployment and op-eration of the nation’s ballistic missile defense system (BMDS). As the MDA’s prime contractor at the center, Northrop Grumman leads a world-class team to conduct BMDS-level modelling and simulation, ground and flight tests, war games, exercises, mission-critical oper-ations and related analysis.
GISi Provide Military Trainers Range Managers Tool KitBattelle and Geographic Information Systems (GISi) have been awarded a contract for the development and sus-tainment of the US military’s range managers tool kit (RMTK). The con-tract awarded by the US Marine Corps
Saab Produces Sub-Systems for Marine Corps RadarSaab Defense and Security has been awarded a contract from Northrop Grumman Corpo-ration for components and subsystems of the US Marine Corps AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system. The order value of the contract is USD 32 mil-lion. G/ATOR will provide the US Marine Corps with a single radar type that performs air surveillance, air defence, ground weapon locating and air traffic control mis-sions. It is the first ground-based multi-mission active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to be developed by the US Department of Defense.The contract awarded by Northrop Grumman Corporation, prime contractor to the US Marine Corps for the G/ATOR programme, covers the delivery of major subsystems and assemblies, as well as software, for the first four Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) units. The Saab developed and built assemblies will be integrated by Northrop Grumman into the Lot 1 G/ATOR systems which will be delivered to the US Marine Corps in 2016-2017.
AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Orient-ed Radar (G/ATOR) system. Courtesy: Defense daily.
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Indian Government Increases Defence Budget for 2015-2016Indian Government has increased the defence budget to Rs 2.46 trillion (approx. USD 40 billion) for the next fiscal year as compared to the revised estimates of Rs 2.22 trillion for 2014-15, in an attempt to push ‘Make in India’ initiative to curtail overdependence on im-ports. Finance Minister of India,
has revealed their plans to pursue ’Make in India’ policy to achieve greater self-sufficiency in the area of defense equipment.
It is believed that India has become the world’s biggest arms importer in recent years as it attempts to build up its military to deal with tensions with Pakistan and the growing military strength of China. India plans to cut its outlay toward new aircraft and engines for the Indian Air Force to Rs 189 billion for the coming fiscal year. FM has allocated around Rs 160 billion for the navy to upgrade its fleet. The Defence Ministry has also approved the acquisition of 12 mine sweeping vessels for the Indian Navy estimated at Rs 32,000 crore along with a slew of other purchases.
Two Consortiums Selected for BMS Pilot ProjectIndian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected BEL-Rolta Consortium as a Development Agen-cy for the Battlefield Management System (BMS) project worth over Rs 50,000 crore.
According to a spokesperson from Rolta, BMS is a situational awareness and visualisation system that aims to optimise the operational effectiveness of tactical units. BEL has established the test bed of BMS for continuous evaluation and implementation of user requirements. As a part of the consortium, Rolta will execute its role and responsibility in areas of BMS ap-plication software development and applicable licensing, GIS software and GIS data services. Rolta will also joint-ly work with BEL for manufacturing subsystems for the soldier system, the overall system design, integration, in-stallation, commissioning and main-tenance of the BMS solution.
Meanwhile, Tata Power has an-nounced that its strategic engineering division (SED), in consortium with Larsen & Toubro, has been selected as one of the down-selected develop-ment agencies for MoD’s ‘Make’ pro-gramme. According to a spokesperson from TATA Power, the down-selection of Tata Power SED-L&T consorti-um will enable it to participate in the
prototype development phase of the ‘Make’ programme followed by a pro-duction order, which will be decided by the MoD after successful comple-tion of the prototype.
Raytheon to Supply TALON Rockets in UAE Raytheon Company and NIMR Automotive, part of the Emirates De-fence Industries Company (EDIC), are collaborating to equip NIMR armored vehicles with TALON Laser Guided Rockets. Using the Raytheon remote weapons station, each vehicle will carry 16 TALON LGRs.
The RWS enables TALON to be fired from both stationary and mov-ing vehicles, while an elevated sensor/designator enables the TALON to be fired from concealed positions ensur-ing lethality and survivability for the ground vehicle. The NIMR 6x6 tactical platform is believed to provide a range of modular system integration to sup-port a full range of missions including armed reconnaissance, infrastructure defence, defensive fire suppression and border security. It can also sup-port rapidly advancing infantry. The
mobile and fixed firing modes en-hance the vehicle’s effectiveness and provide a significant advantage over existing heavy artillery.
BEL Gets Permission for Using Diesel Gensets in 3D RadarsThe Environment Ministry of India has exempted state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) from complying with emis-sion norms for diesel gensets of 113.2 kw to be procured for manufacturing ‘3D Tactical Control Radar System’ for the Indian Army. Currently, emission limits are set for new diesel engine up to 800 kw for generator set application under the Environment (Protection) rules 1986. In a recent notification, the ministry revealed that BEL has been exempted from complying with emis-sion norms for only 20 diesel gensets of 113.2 kw to be used in 3D Tactical Control Radars System.
The notification also reveals that the special dispensation for the emis-sion norms shall be only for diesel gen-sets, not exceeding twenty in number, to be used in 3D Tactical Control Ra-dars System, with the present design or configuration which shall be procured
ASIA PACIFIC
Battlefield Management System. Courtesy: ASD reports
Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley. Courtesy: Times of india
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DSTO and Airbus Group Form Strategic AllianceThe Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has formed a new strategic alliance with Airbus Group Australia Pacific Ltd (AGAP). The agreement was signed in an inaugural alliance management committee meeting during the Australian
International Air Show at Avalon. The alliance will see the two organisations work closely together on a range of research and development projects related to aerospace defence technologies. It will facilitate collaboration between DSTO and the Airbus Group in defence aircraft systems (including helicopters) and communications. Initially it will focus on maximising the capability of ADF aerospace fleets throughout their service life, and on improving communications capability
and used on or before June 30, 2015. The 3D Tactical Control Radar (TCR) is an all-weather 3D surveillance radar used in Indian Army for detection and identification of aerial targets.
BrahMos-A Cruise Missile Integrated on Su-30MKI Integration of the air-based ver-sion of the BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missile with a fighter jet of the Su-MKI family has been successfully completed in India, according to an official at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) state aircraft manufac-turing corporation.
Several key structural changes have been introduced in the missile and the jet over the past six to seven months, including re-distribution of loads on the lifting elements of the aircraft after the bench running. First trial tests that will make it possible to assess the re-sults of more than two years of joint work of Russian and Indian designers will be held in March.
HAL to Manufacture Sagem Product in IndiaHindustan Aeronautics (HAL) will manufacture and maintain high-per-formance navigation systems in India under a technology transfer agree-ment with Sagem of France.
The Sagem’s Sigma 95N is an au-tonomous, hybrid laser gyro iner-
tial/GPS-Glonass navigation system that can provide navigation even in areas without GPS signal availabili-ty. It is deployed on Indian Air Force and Navy combat aircraft, including the Hawk, Jaguar, Tejas, MiG-29 and -27 and Su-30 platforms. Currently, Sagem’s laser gyro navigation systems are produced in the company’s Mont-luçon plant in the Auvergne region of south-central France. They are used on the latest military aircraft in France
and worldwide, including the Das-sault Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighters, Airbus A400M Atlas transport, and the Airbus Helicopters NH90 and EC725 Caracal helicopters, transport and special forces versions.
Executives from Lockheed Martin Visit TLMAL Facility A team of senior executives of global security and aerospace Lockheed
Martin visited the Tata-Lockheed Martin Aerostructures (TLMAL) facility, Hyderabad. Led by Patrick Dewar, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin International, the team visited the facility to inspect the military transport aircraft C130-Js and tour the TLMAL site.
Set up in 2012, TLMAL manufac-tures airframe components for the global supply chain of C-130J Super Hercules. Tata Advanced Systems holds 74% stake in the JV, with Lockheed Martin holding the remaining 26% stake, the company said in a statement
today. “This is our first JV in India and it has strengthened our relationship with the Indian Defence customers as well as reinforced our commitment and partnership with Indian industry. We are extremely pleased with the role Tata has played in ensuring that the manu-facturing output at this facility is of top quality and look forward to exploring expanded opportunities for greater col-laboration,” said Dewar.
India Clears Plan for Building 6N-submarines 7 frigatesIndian government has cleared the in-digenous construction of seven stealth frigates and six nuclear-powered submarines to bolster naval power. Defence sources have revealed that the decision was taken recently by the Cabinet Committee on Security.
The decision to build the six new submarines is part of the 30-year sub-marine building programme cleared in 1999. The plan is to have 24 submarines in 30 years. The first project was the
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Sagem’s Sigma 95N. Courtesy: Sagem
Lockheed’s C-130H Hercules. Courtesy: Russiava
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P75, under which six Scorpene subma-rines are being built in India. According to defence sources, the government has tweaked the project under which the CCS has taken a decision that the next six submarines would be nuclear-pow-ered, unlike the conventional ones that were envisaged.
AAP Government to Use Geo-Tagging For Women The AAP government is looking at solutions in technology to help wom-en caught in distress situations real time. In the near future, women in distress will be able to summon help from nearby PCR van or police station
and inform family by merely opening a smart phone-based mobile application or pressing a set of letters on the keypad of a simple phone.
AAP’s inhouse Telecom expert and Dwarka MLA Adarsh Shastri said that the administration will use ‘geo tagging’ technology to implement these ideas.
Canister-based Trial of Agni-V ConductedThe Indian Defence Research and De-velopment Organisation (DRDO), has conducted the first canister-based trial of the Agni-V intercontinental ballis-tic missile (ICBM) on Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast. Launched from a canister mounted on a road-mobile launcher from the integrated test range’s launch complex-IV, the nuclear-capable missile climbed to a height of more than
600km in its parabolic trajectory and ac-curately hit the designated target point in the Indian Ocean after 20 minutes.
The missile’s parameters were monitored by radars and electro-op-tical systems, while the ships located in mid-range and at the target point tracked the vehicle and witnessed the final event. The road-mobile canister-version will enable Agni-V to be fired from stop-to-launch with-in a few minutes and ensure higher reliability, longer shelf-life and re-duced maintenance.
DRS Wins Communications Systems Contract from NZDRS Technologies is planning to provide tactical integrated communi-cations systems to the New Zealand Ministry of Defense for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s ANZAC-class frigates. The subcontract includes the provi-sion of all internal tactical and secure voice switching systems and termi-nals. DRS will provide its Shipboard Integrated Communications System (SHINCOM 3100) central switching unit, helicopter audio distribution system, public address server, record-er storage units, console dual screen terminals, outdoor terminals, jackbox-es and ancillaries, as well as the Avaya G450 PABX phone system. According to Steve Zuber, Vice President and General Manager, DRS Technologies, the programme will allow Navies to share key interoper-ability, technology and applications, ensuring that SHINCOM 3100 remains the premier internal communications
Northrop Grumman Wins UK’s Cyber Security Contract Northrop Grumman Corporation is among the companies that have been awarded a contract by the government of the United Kingdom to provide a range of cyber security solutions. Un-der the contract, Northrop Grumman will provide engineering and develop-ment services in support of data secu-rity and information assurance.Northrop Grumman continues to in-vest in UK-based cyber security capa-bilities with new facilities in England, where it has set up an Advanced Cyber Technology Centre of Excellence, a global collaboration initiative to ad-vance high-end solutions to our cus-tomers’ most challenging cyber prob-lems. The company is also investing in the development of the next genera-tion of cyber specialists. The company entered into a partnership with Cyber Security Challenge UK under which it has launched the youth-based cyber defence competition CyberCenturion in the UK aimed at building tomorrow’s cyber workforce. Northrop Grumman is also mentoring a diverse set of small and medium enterprise partners and investing in research and development with select UK university partners.
MBDA Completes Second Test Launch of MMP MissileMBDA has completed the second round of testing of the medium-range missile (MMP) at the French Defence Procure-ment Agency’s (DGA) Techniques Ter-restres site in Bourges, France. Jointly conducted by DGA, the French Army
Agni missile. Courtesy: DRDO
system for years to come. SHINCOM 3100 is supposedly the latest gener-ation in shipboard communications switch technology which provides re-liable, red/black secure tactical com-munications for Navy operators.
ANZAC-class frigates. Courtesy: Progressive media group
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and MBDA France earlier this month, the first flight of the missile successful-ly confirmed its enhanced accuracy in locking onto a target hidden from view at launch at a distance of more than 4,000 m. Conducted against a steel tar-get positioned at an intermediate range, the trial ensured optimal execution of all aspects of the test, including launch, flight trajectory and target impact, with full conformation of the simulations. Testing was carried out in lock-on-be-fore-launch mode (fire-and-forget), using the missile seeker’s colour TV channel, and completes another stage in the analysis of MMP’s deployment envelope. The MMP is a lightweight, next-generation surface-attack missile designed for destruction of both station-ary and moving ground targets, includ-ing tanks, armoured and non-armoured vehicles and infrastructures with mini-mum collateral damage.
French DGA Orders Thales’s VENUS SATCOM Terminals Thales has secured a contract to supply additional véhicules de com-mandement nomades communiquant par satellite (VENUS) SATCOM on-the-move terminals, as part of the French military’s satellite-based radio
communication system (Syracuse) III programme.
Awarded by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), the agreement includes a further 20 ground terminals that will be in-stalled on the French Army’s VAB light armoured vehicles, enabling com-manders to stay in contact while on the move in the theatre. The SATCOM OTM technology enables vehicles fit-ted with satellite antennas to establish and maintain a satellite link whether they are moving or stationary. Featur-ing standard interfaces to connect oth-er tactical communication equipment for higher data rates and overall avail-
ability, the terminals provide a per-manent command communication capability in the theatre of operations to help address ground force require-ments of on-the-move for information exchange and force protection.
GE to Supply Computing Subsystems for UK ArmyAwarded by General Dynamics (GD) UK, the EURO 64 million contracts cover the supply of a range of embed-ded computing subsystems, including Ethernet switches, gateway processors and data and video servers, which is believed to form the backbone of the SV electronics architecture. The Eth-ernet switch is expected to connect networked elements of the vehicle, while the gateway processor provides the GD software with the processing
capability needed to run the platform. Data and video servers will enable the vehicle to store and distribute vehicle and scenario data and video around the platform and into the wider con-nected battlefield. The scalable, open architecture subsystems delivered under the contract will facilitate easy upgrade of Scout SV vehicles during their lifetime. Developed on a highly adaptable and capable common base platform, Scout SV is expected to offer enhanced intelligence, surveillance, protection, target acquisition and re-connaissance capabilities, as well as a highly effective 40mm cannon.
Airbus Defence and Space Provides Satellite Airtime The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected Airbus Defence and Space to provide satellite airtime for air and ground tracking of ground assets and helicopters on a worldwide basis. The contract is for the provision of Iridium Short Burst Data and Iridium Rudics Data Minutes for the MOD’s established Asset Tracking System (ATS), Helicopter ATS (HeATS) and Ground ATS (GrATS). The UK ATS supposedly meets Opera-tional Command situational awareness requirements by providing the location of tracked ground and air assets in near real-time. The strategic importance of the ATS requires reliability across all of its components including the satellite airtime provided by Airbus Defence and Space to transmit GPS data from assets in the field.
SCOUT SV. Courtesy: General Dynamics
SATCOM terminal. Courtesy: www.tfk racoms.com
MMP missile. Courtesy: MBDA
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75032-8_ITEC03A_geointelligence_8inx11in_2015_v1.indd 1 05/02/2015 10:34
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National security implies protecting a nation’s population, economy, critical infrastructure,
borders and prosperity in general. In order to implement national se-
curity, there is a need to coordinate action and exchange information between various agencies such as National Intelligence, Defence, Law enforcement, Disaster Management, First Responders and selected private
sector enterprises. In order to share this critical information, there is a requirement to create an enterprise wide Geographical Information System (GIS) with the necessary tools. While the Forest Survey of India has recently made a welcome announcement on the implementation of a GIS-based Decision Support System, this important facility has to be extended across many other agencies at the earliest.
Moreover, the recent tragic floods in J&K and Assam have once again proved the might of nature. However, while man cannot stop the initiation and the fury of nature, he can certainly use technology to prevent and reduce the loss to life and property. Just look at how important the weather broadcasts have become around the world, and how successfully people are being evacuated time and again from impending natural disasters such as Hudhud and Phailin in India. In fact the most important technology for this purpose again revolves around geospatial technology and GIS. If we had a system to continuously monitor the rise in water levels (cm accuracy as of today) and predict the flooding pattern (which is a standard feature of
In Geospatial Apps
India’s National Security Voids
Geospatial information is a crucial component for efficient threat analysis, response to and recovery from natural disasters and
promoting rapid sharing of critical information
An illustration of WebGIS components. Courtesy: Esri
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all GIS), then a large number of lives in J&K and Assam could have been saved, as also the relief effort prioritised based on the time criticality of the threat. The lack of a suitably digitised data base of maps for this purpose adds to our problems. Alas, while we rightfully dream of a digital India, our efforts at the national and subordinate levels related to efficient utilisation of GIS for National Security, including disaster management, are somewhat lacking in their implementation.
WebGISWebGIS plays a crucial role in distributing geospatial services to all the stakeholders implementing the National Security mission. The available data with the collecting and analysing agencies is now shared and converted into actionable intelligence, which is further utilised for planning and conduct of operations. Such applications have been robustly developed by various GIS firms like Esri and BAE Systems, and are being effectively used by many countries. India had made a good start by creating the National Spatial Data Infrastructure and the National GIS, but the process seems to have been mired in procedural tangles and got unduly delayed. A need to coordinate the development across various ministries is therefore, the need of the hour and any delay in this direction may be costly to human lives.
Big Data AnalyticsA large number of smart device users in the internationally networked scenario have led to the so called information overload. This data, which largely comprises of unstructured data of dynamic nature, is often a warehouse of intelligence information. Big data analytics refers to firstly finding the dots and then connecting them to create a multisource fusion of intelligence. The data is sourced from various enterprises, social media, sensor networks and human geography inputs. The threat vector is now examined based on geospatial, temporal, behavioural and pattern
recognition techniques. The analytics now can be shared amongst users to create a shared situational awareness for undertaking preventive action.
Human GeographyHuman Geography is the creation of the human footprint through the fusion of map locations and human related data, and differs from Physical Geog-raphy it takes into account a dozen themes related to people and maps the same. This data is structured based on the core themes of Human Geography which include Demographics, Econo-my, Transportation, Communication, Education, Religion, Ethnicity, Health, Political Groupings, Language, Land and Water. This new subject has recently grown into prominence in view of the large amounts of data available from social media and other surveys and the need to provide actionable intelligence from the same.
An example of Human Geography can be taken from a recent case study of Algeria country subject to regular terrorist attacks and extremist activity. Locations of neighbourhoods and sentiments of populations where violence and extremism can occur are critical knowledge for searching and finding radicalisation before it starts.
This is where foundational geospatial data like Human Geography Information Surveys (HGIS) assists in gathering critical data which later helps to identify causal factors. The approach adopted by them to tackle this issue was to use a macro to micro approach and, thereby identifying regions where radicalised sentiments were occurring. This was done by conducting geospatial analysis models to determine where future radical sentiments would occur.
A similar approach was also followed in narrowing down the search area for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. The use of Predictive Analytical tools, thus help analysts to anticipate risk and identify opportunities for leaders and decision makers to focus their limited resources.
Imagery AnalysisIn view of technological advances in electro-optical devices, there has been a paradigm shift in imagery from aerial platforms such as satellites and UAVs. The latest imagery satellite named WorldView-3, which was launched in August 2014, provides a resolution of 31 cm. This comes at a time when the US has also agreed to
WebGIS plays a crucial role in distributing geospatial services to all
the stakeholders implementing the National Security mission
Satellite images of Jammu and Kashmir — the region before and after the deluge. Courtesy: Google’s Crisis Map
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The use of Predictive Analytical tools helps analysts to anticipate risk and identify opportunities for leaders and decision makers to focus their limited resources
Lt Gen (Dr) Rajesh Pant, PVSM, AVSM,VSM (Retd)[email protected]
Latest WorldView-3 satellite. Courtesy: NBC news
provide imagery upto 25 cm resolution to other countries. Thus, imagery cap-ture and analysis quickly fills up the voids in digitised map data. While
the earlier generations of satellites fo-cussed on spatial resolution, accuracy and speed of data transfer, the new generation of satellites are catering for analytics wherein damage assess-ment, sub-surface mapping and threat responses are also being factored in image analysis.
Need of the HourThe way forward is to follow a two pronged approach comprising of internal and external measures. The internal measures would be aimed at creating the desired work culture by adopting new automated processes based on geospatial tools. This would also involve the procurement of hardware and software by the different departments of the government. External measures would be aimed at establishing the data networks between the different stakeholders of National Security. The need to lay down various policies of standardisation by
a central coordinating agency such as the NGIS is imperative at this stage.
We all admire the use of google maps and online services which assist us in our daily lives. However, while the tools are readily available, government processes in our country are still not taking advantage of this extremely potent technology which provides immense benefits for eGovernance and National Security. In order to establish the ‘who-where-what-when of intelligence’, the use of GIS is inescapable. The time for the government to act is now!
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Opening up of automated information services on internal security matters could be the harbinger of the proposed internal security mechanism that would defeat a threat gaining ground across the country
Over the recent decades, preservation of peace and internal stability has as-sumed larger dimensions
on account of rise of societal conflicts that is sustained by the rise of individual aspirations and coalescence of interest groups and empowerment of such groups with the wherewithal for resort to force in seeking fulfilment of their designs, many of the methods adopted being outside the norms of constitutionally sanctioned behaviour.
Societal conflicts, economic dis-parities, political aspirations and ideo-logical urges are at the roots of internal instability. That is but a normal trend in today’s world. But when uncon-stitutional intransigence that sprout from such roots are allowed to go un-restrained due to weaknesses in leg-islative, law enforcement and judicial mechanisms, that licence brings profit to mass agitation, mob lawlessness and group revolt – a situation which is rather common in our everyday ex-periences. Unless nipped in the bud, such situations are liable to morph into armed insurgency, which inflicts unfathomable damage to the cause of
nationhood. The problem is further exacerbated by the adoption of a new form of waging war by our external adversaries by way of overt and covert instigation of internal intransigence among the anti-national forces of various motivations. It is, therefore, imperative for the Indian state to up-lift its internal security mechanism by all means — physical, administrative, fiscal and technological — and defeat a threat, which seems to be gaining ground all across the country.
Science of Internal SecurityThe state’s responsibility to control, rationalise, and if necessary, restrain by force, the threats to internal peace and stability is better served when de-mographic, dynamics, ethnic diversi-ties, vocational interests, habitation issues, political, religious and linguis-tic radicalism and infrastructural con-ditions are minutely monitored by its internal security apparatus. Given the cap over the nation’s resources against rising needs of an exploding spread of population, this is a responsibility of extreme sensitivity and complexi-ty. Ironically however, while anti-na-
tional intransigency is aided by open access to technology driven facilities, the Indian state remains languid in harnessing scientific tools to the pur-pose of reconciliation and control of its incessant societal churnings, thus leaving scope for it to frequently burst out into destabilising turmoil.
Effective grip over a diverse, heavily populated and vast Indian hinterland is a challenge of immense propor-tions; it cannot be met by law, order or intelligence mechanism that has seen little modernisation since its inception a century-and-a-half back.
Utilising Automation TechnologyEven if we have a fairly elaborate national information system – those maintained by National Information and Informatics Centres, National Investigation Agency, State police, Enforcement Directorate, etc. for example — which provides extensive inputs covering wide fields of activities at the national, institutional and departmental levels, the system will remain, but will be generalist in its composition. We also have many
INTERNAL SECURITY
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informational data-banks which are custom-devised by various secu-rity agencies, but these are neither comprehensive nor authenticated or seamlessly integrated at the all-India level to home on to specific inter-nal security challenges. Creating an effective architecture for management and articulation of a dedicated inter-nal security information system is, therefore, imperative for the hierarchy of internal security of India.
Let us see how such a system may have been conceptualised. Suppos-edly, that system is identified as an Internal Security Decision Support System (ISDSS). The role of this sys-tem may tentatively be specified as the one which would enable the custodi-ans of the nation’s internal security in:• Marshalling the full range of
near-current, grass-roots information of interest;
• Permit automated configuration of information to respond to intelligence queries in terms of required range, depth and format;
• Facilitate real-time dissemination of the output intelligence at two distinct levels, viz, functional and decision-making levels.
For sure the custodians as well as main users of the ISDSS would be the intelligence agencies, police and civil administration, both at the Centre as well as State levels and the static military headquarters which are af-filiated to various states or regions within the country. May be at one stage, the system might find utility in controlling the latent threats to the nation’s internal security — terror-ism linked contraband trade, human trafficking and illegal money exchange for example.
Internal Security Decision Support System (ISDSS) In its nascent form, the ISDSS would constitute of three distinct information bases, viz, the ‘Demographic Information Base’ (DIB), ‘Geographical Information Base’ (GIB) and the ‘Infrastructure Information Base’ (IIB).
Keeping India’s vast diversities in mind, the information databases would have to be created, stored and maintained according to the principle of ‘whole to part’, as it is followed in case of geographical mapping. That is to say that the country would be sub-divided into regions, states, districts, sub-divisions, blocks, towns, villages, and forested and barren areas before drawing out a smallest standard grid-ded module to which the information would be tagged. For ease of recording and retrieval of inputs, the nation’s existing administrative divisions and the gridding pattern followed by the Survey of India would be a good bet to follow. However, boundaries and scales of the ‘areas of intelligence in-terest’ would have to be dictated not just by administrative convenience and geographical space respectively, but by the criteria of sensitivity and volume of information in the context of internal security. In other words, the extent of areas of interest to which information would be decided accord-ing to the range and density of sensi-tive information rather than the ad-ministrative boundaries. Similarly, the spread of these areas of intelligence interest might consist of a fraction, or one, or many topographical grid squares; for best results in manipula-tion of digitised data, the information tagging modules may even follow dif-ferent scales. Thus, a reconciliation of boundaries and scales for the infor-mation bases would be needed to se-cure the best systemic advantage. Once the basic gridded informa-tion modules have been drawn, the digitised information base may be
created, tagged and retrieved as necessary and manipulated accord-ing to the situation, just as it is done while referring to digitised topograph-ical maps. To this purpose, ‘Internal Security Information Control Centres’ (ISICC) would have to be planted at the successive hubs of the above men-tioned hierarchy of modules. In form, these centres already exist; just a bit of orientation, equipping, technical staffing and codifying the business rules may be needed to formalise these into the ISDSS.
A robust communication net-work for information recording, advisory dissemination and retriev-al of specifically formatted queries would have to be a part of that system. This network could be similar to the dedicated networks created by some of the government departments as well as private players for their purpos-es and carried over common or joint communication highways, though the hierarchies and security classifications would have to be unique. The existing countrywide data network system may be built upon for this purpose.
Build Up of ISDSSMuch of the pattern discussed above is already in place with vari-ous public departments that operate topographical, geological, mineral, population census, public distribu-tion and engineering schemes. But in-puts obtainable from these sources are neither comprehensive in char-acteristics nor conducive to efficient strategic or tactical decision mak-ing. The entire system will, therefore, have to be designed ab initio, with its
A robust communication network for information recording, advisory
dissemination and retrieval of specifically formatted queries would
have to be a part of the system
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custom-made hierarchies, structural trees, activity flow diagrams, principal and subsidiary technology themes, algorithms, formats and above all, operating formulae and derivations (fashionably referred to as ‘software’) — even the system configurations (fashionably referred to as ‘hardware’ and the now unpopular term ‘skin-ware’ respectively) - to conform to the roles listed above. Of course, to save on time and effort on build up of basic information, the existing data, in dig-itised form, as available with various departments and agencies would need
to be ported. However, given the de-ficiencies in the quality as well as the coverage of such data, these inputs would at best be raw. Therefore, these inputs would have to be put through the following processes to meet the standards needed in ISDSS: • Corroboration and vetting to ensure
authenticity and integrity of the information;
• Algorithmic conversion for the sake of standardisation of all aspects of the system;
• Reconfiguration and reformatting of information to conform to the sys-tem design;
• Fixation of the cycles of verification and updating, and designation of re-sponsibilities. Frequencies of these cycles would vary from one class of information to another depending on the dynamics of changes.
Porting of available information and processing, restructuring and reconciliation of these to customise according to the role and process-es of ISDSS being an inter depart-mental process, this task should be simple to achieve provided the urge to poodle-fake is curbed. However, this effort would still be of only basic utility because as past experiences reveal, any new venture like the ISDSS would have to mainly upon dedicated in-house exercise to build up its exclusive infor-
mation base that would answer to its needs. In fact in many instances, the processes of reconfiguration and port-ing may turn out to be more tedious than starting from the scratch – more or less.
Thus, setting the stage for further examination of the proposition, we may turn to consider the three categories of ‘information bases’ as mentioned above.
Demographic Information Base (DIB)Demographic Information Base (DIB) facilitates expeditious and quality decision making in relation to human factors of internal security. This would contain: • Population figures, distribution over
areas, movement patterns, individual records, migrations in and out, and density variations over time.
• Societal construct, influential groups, traditional habits, food hab-its, behavioural as well as vocational leanings and vulnerable sections of the society.
• Matrices of religion, language, cast and tribe - festivals, rivalries, tensions and contentious issues.
• Local and household economy, employment and poverty figures, production of necessities as well as tradable goods and pattern of
INTERNAL SECURITY DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM (ISDSS)
DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION BASE DIB)
(People, Society, Economy, Public Good)
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION BASE (GIB)
(Terrain, Natural Resources, Land Use, Environment)
INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION BASE (IIB)
(Transportation, Power, Industry, Development)
A nascent architecture of Internal Security Decision Support System
The purpose of having a Geographical Information Base would be to offer easy access to geographical information that needs to be incorporated into the ISDSS
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demand and actual consumption.• States of education, health, public
discipline, law and order, and crime trends.
This kind of information is readily available at National Information Centre and National Informatics Centre, census data, Public Distribution System, Elec-toral Rolls, revenue records, banking, the Unique Identification Scheme, the National Investigation Agency, various non-government samplings and social surveys. However, these need to be cus-tomised and the voids filled up. Notably, neither the attributes, nor the fields and properties within each attribute could be exhaustive to begin with. The volu-metric and qualitative improvements would thus be a continuous process.
Geographical Information Base (GIB)The purpose of having a Geographical Information Base (GIB) would be to offer easy access to geographical information that needs to be incorpo-rated into the ISDSS. A large portion of this information is obtainable from topographical and geological maps, a field in which India has excelled. But
the fact that these maps have not been designed for the purpose of internal security related information banking, leaves most of the internal intelligence queries unattended. Therefore, as stat-ed earlier, build up of GIB needs to be a fresh exercise. However, even if the in-formation base has to be reconfigured from what is available, it would make sense for all the three information bases to subscribe to common bound-aries and adopt standard scales for the information tagging modules that can customise the role of ISDSS. Following are some of the main attributes of GIB:• Terrain information covering the
current spread and densities of veg-etation, contours and gradients, road and rail communications, habitations and so on;
• Data regarding water drainage, flood and draught, natural produce like minerals, forestry and cultivation;
• Land distribution and use;• Environmental records and issues in
contention;• Areas that lend to lawless activities,
covert transit, attacks etc.In many ways, the GIB will be similar to the GIS facility, but with built-in
intangibilities of human and natural di-versities which shape the internal secu-rity issues.
Infrastructure Information Base (IIB)The purpose of IIB would be to pro-vide readily accessible information about various categories of infra-structure, public and private, availa-ble as well as those in the process of coming up, which may be of use in planning and implementation of in-ternal security measures. The class of information to be covered under this information base would be as follows:• Transportation infrastructure
to include road, rail, air and waterway networks, availability of transport fleet and warehousing, load handling, transit and station facilities;
• Power, water, telecommunication network including mobile phone and internet, and food supply infrastructure;
• Construction agencies and earth moving plants as available in location with public and private sector undertakings;
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• Local industry and its links with the larger economy;
• Development projects, current as well as impending;
• Public goods like Public Distribution System, banking network, educational institutions primary upwards, hospi-tals and public health centres, pattern of diseases, etc.;
• Law enforcement capabilities like money transfer records, police pres-ence, maintenance of law and order, juducial mechanism, rates of con-viction and rehabilitation measures.
Inadequate and outdated knowledge of infrastructural conditions and the equation of industrial activities with the societies and economy at the local level has been a bug in our internal security schemes. Thus, many times while solu-tions — in terms of facilities, services, tools and equipment - have lain ignored in the backyard, frantic efforts are made to find these from elsewhere. A compe-tent and regularly updated IIB would be an answer to that flaw.
Quick Tagging OptionsIt is natural for an elaborate system like the ISDSS to grow its own tools for more efficient and timely response. That indeed would happen as the System matures. It is, therefore, wise to visual-ise the scope for future developments
at the starting stage itself – such inquisitions lead to smooth transition as well as saving in costs. Accordingly, we may visualise coalescence over a time of certain quick tagging options, which would offer quick and focused information thus making the system increasingly user-friendly and trust worthy.
Tagging options are semi or fully pro-cessed information duly tagged to loca-tion — that is, the corresponding module of information base — and the time of its generation or update. As the pattern of users’ approach to the information base, kinds of queries and precedence’s of decision making crystallises and the ‘Tags’ earn credibility, these options provide for readily formatted and an-notated intelligence, even if mostly in primary form. That indeed is a great help in management of internal security, particularly under emergent situations. At this stage, however, it would suffice to mention just a few examples of quick tagging, as follows:• Counter-Insurgency Force Tag:
This tag is related to deployment, disposition, strength, operational wherewithal and movement of security forces engaged in counter-in-surgency operations. Further, it may offer the situational picture, rebel strongholds, the leadership, their tac-tical habits, capabilities and areas of influence.
• Monetary Information Tag: Information regarding monetary flow, transactions, and trends may be covered under this tag.
• Anti-National Elements Tag: This Tag may be dedicated to identification and study of anti-na-tional individuals as well as the groups. Notably, anti-nationals and criminals are but two different class-es of outlaws and therefore cannot be dealt with by the same data base or control methods. Therefore, a dedicated information base is need-ed to deal with the former category. Even then, there are numerous in-stances of build up of nexus between the two. Many times the nexus turns into coalition for ideological profit
in some cases and monetary profit in the others. Nevertheless, tagged information about these elements go a long way in estimating their ability to infuse poison into the so-ciety.
In short, tagging options evolve over a period of time with experience gained and offer information which is readily retrievable in the required format for collation, analysis, dissem-ination and guidance in controlling potentially harmful internal security situations. With time, proliferation of various information tags are expected to be encouraged – with due regard to accuracy. Needless to say, the Internal Security Information Control Centres (ISICC) would be the heart ISDSS and its effectiveness would determine the success of the scheme.
Recent AwakeningAutomated information systems have been in business for a long time. But besides offering nonplussed lip service, the pre-information age, non-science stream of policy-makers have been lukewarm to its possibilities and profits. But as the recent developments unfold, an understanding is observable at the level of national leadership. Indeed, the latest initiative by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in opening up auto-mated information services on internal security matters could be the harbin-ger of the proposed mechanism that would be at ready call of the managers of internal security. Reserved respons-es from the States’ and low scientific temper to accept technology as a tool of empowerment are hurdles that we need to overcome. The proposition of ISDSS will efficiently manage India’s growing complexities of internal churnings.
Reserved responses from the states and low scientific temper to accept technology as a tool of empowerment are hurdles that we need to overcome
Lt Gen Gautam Banerjee (Retd) [email protected]
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Geographical Information System (GIS) is a popular information system pro-cessing spatiotemporal
data. It is being used as a collab-orative platform for visualisation, analysis and computation involving spatiotemporal data and information. GIS is a more specific name for a ge-neric information domain, which can process spatial, a-spatial or non-spa-tial and spatiotemporal data per-taining to the objects occurring in topography, bathymetry and space. Therefore, GIS is a more specific in-stance of spatiotemporal information system, which is being used for many decision support systems and anal-
ysis using multiple criteria. This has emerged as one of the important sys-tem for collaborative planning, mon-itoring, and execution of operations using multi criteria decision analysis involving land, sea and air. The opera-tions can be from different application domains.
An informal definition of ‘Patterns’ can be a repetitive occurrence of sequence of events, or phenome-na which can be expressed through a finite set of steps or mathematical transformations. Patterns are abstract form of observations taken over a finite interval of time. A learning pat-tern is a sequence of learning process which helps the instructor to maxim-
ising the transfer of knowledge in an organised manner from the teacher to the student and at the same time maximise the knowledge acquisition by the student or the trainee. GIS exhibits many learning and teach-ing patterns in different sphere of science and technology. Some of the important learning patterns exhibited by GIS are:• IPO (Input-Processing-Output) is a
systemic perspective of GIS.
Geographical Information System
Defining Learning Patterns in
Concept Definition Fomula (CDF), Input Processing Output (IPO), Model View Controller (MVC) and Data Information Knowedge Decision (DIKD) are some of the fundamental learning patterns exhibited by Geographic Information Systems (GIS). And the effectiveness of these learning patterns are exhibited and exercised by GIS in different forms
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• CDF (Concept-Definition-Formula) which is a pattern in learning Geographical Information Science.
• MVC (Model-View-Controller) an engineering pattern or modelling pattern in GIS.
• DIKD (Data-Information-Knowl-edge-Decision) is a usage pattern or application pattern in GIS.
• These patterns find applicability practically in most of the functions of GIS involving spatiotemporal analy-
sis, visualisation and measurement. In other words, any work flow or functionality of GIS can be mapped to one or more than one of these patterns. These patterns are further explored through suitable examples in GIS to find their applicability in different fields of science, engineer-ing, technology and applications. The pervasive nature of GIS func-tions in the form of spatiotemporal analysis, visualisation, measure-ments and simulation has estab-lished GIS as a collaborative plat-form for multi-disciplinary research in science and technology.
Learning Patterns in GISThe IPO (Input-Processing-Output) is a global pattern, often useful in under-standing the overall functioning of a sub-system or systems. Using this pat-tern the following types of analysis can be performed:→ Analysis of the input domain of the system i.e. enumerating all the input
types the system can process. The car-dinality of the input domain is a metric measure of the capability of any infor-mation system in general and GIS in particular. The formats in which the data is being stored, the input data types, the metadata contents in the input data types and various sources, sensors and agencies providing the data are analysed. Also, a preliminary assessment regarding the quantity, quality and reliability of the spatial data can be analysed from the metadata.→ The processing capability of the system is enumerated in terms of the algorithms that perform the process-ing. The set of computing components in a GIS is the measure of its process-ing capability. Further, the aspects such as the time and space complex-ity of the computing algorithms are studied extensively to understand “how optimised these algorithms are?”. Algorithms are the mappings or the functions which transform the spatial inputs from the input domain
Learning Patterns Examples
IPO DTED Data is used to compute and generation of Sun Shaded Relief Maps
MVC
Digitisation (Modeling) of Vector data to Point (Location), Line(Communication) and Polygon (Area) entities from raster images for visualization of digital vector maps through various digital control mechanisms such as thematic composition of maps or application specific map composition, zoom, scroll, scale and space visualisation etc.
CDF
Projection of maps and images uses Mercator’s map projection formulae. If the coordinates are computed in Latitude and Longitude, spherical coordinate transformation is used. Differential geometry and geometric formulae for computing slope, aspect, curvature of terrain at particular location from gridded and raster data.
DIKD
Identification of spatial hotspots like concentration of chemical leakage, crime events, high precipitation zone etc. can be leveraged along with the spatial data to identify the approach path to the hotspot for disaster mitigation or planning of emergency aids etc.
TABLE I EXAMPLES OF THE GIS LEARNING PATTERNS
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to possible outputs in the range of out-puts of the GIS. → The resultant output range pro-duced by the GIS system is analysed and enumerated. Output range is the external interface of the GIS to the user community. The cardinality of the output range of the GIS is the met-ric measure which decides its usability across different applications.
The mapping of the input-analy-sis-output is often known as the par-titioning of the input-output space of the GIS. Analysing various perspec-tives of spatial input domain forms a good material for education. The ba-sic inputs of GIS have the capability to correlate with different ways the spa-tial data is collected, collated, organ-ised and modelled. Various sensors and agencies producing the spatial data — its periodicity and accuracy — extend and other related information pertaining to the spatial data is stud-ied under the subject ‘metadata or-ganisation’ and forms the basis of many searching algorithms. Another dimension of the spatial data is the techniques of its indexing, searching, sorting and merging. They are distinct and evolving set of techniques in con-
trast to the normal alphanumeric data. The study of the spatial input domain, its metadata has led to many areas of research such as “Multi Sensor Data Fusion (MSDF)”, spatial data integra-tion, spatial data mining etc.
The study of the analytical capability of GIS has led to design, development and optimisation of many algorithms. This field of research shares many ide-as of computing and computational science. The robust computational geometric algorithms, graph algo-rithms and spatial statistical algo-rithms, spatial interpolation algorithms and spatial analysis algorithms are few sets of examples of computing meth-ods in GIS. They are courses of studies in themselves pursued in the grad-uate and post graduate engineering curriculum of computer science and spatial information science.
Unlike IPO, which is an overall sys-tem learning pattern, the Concept-Defi-nition-Formula is a scientific pattern for understanding, learning and educating the scientific basis of spatiotemporal phenomena in GIS. GIS brings in the contemporary fields of geometry, ge-odesy, coordinate system and refer-ence system and the mathematical
basis of map projection which act as the pre-processing methods of spatial data. There are ample examples of CDF patterns in each of these fields which can ignite the thought process of stu-dents in high school or graduation lev-el. Pedagogically, there are many CDF examples in GIS and its contributing fields. Some of the geometrical concepts of slope, aspect, curvature area, volume etc. exhibit the CDF pattern. The mul-tiple definitions of these quantities in different frame of reference lead to dif-ferent formulae and have different ap-plications. CDF is a good learning pat-tern and fuels higher order thoughts and understanding to the learners of GIS.
MVC (Model-View-Controller) is a micro pattern observed in almost all as-pect of spatiotemporal data processing. In this paradigm, the spatial data is modeled as vector, raster or digital elevation model (DEM) or into point, line, polygon type. Further these mod-el data are used to visualise the digital map, digital model of the terrain surface in a controlled fashion i.e. the scale vis-ualisation of the spatial data, thematic map creation, event based visualis-ation, fly through and walk through vis-ualisation etc. Therefore, the controlled visualisation of the terrain led to design and analysis of many algorithms and
GIS brings in the contemporary fields of geometry, geodesy, coordinate system, reference system and the mathematical basis of map projection
Sensor 1
Sensor Data Processing 1
Data Fusion
Sensor Data Processing 2
Sensor Data Processing 3
Sensor Data Processing N
Sensor 2 Sensor 3 Sensor N
An example of multi-sensor data fusion system. Courtesy: Nutaq
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systems interfacing the software-hard-ware and human cognitive system. MVC has a profound impact in the programming, design and develop-ment of the algorithms in GIS and has brought in the student community to harness their creative potential through intelligent programs which binds the HMI (Human Machine Interface) with the GIS.
Therefore, MVC is a micro pattern in the processing domain of GIS and harnesses the algorithm and program design skills of students. MVC has ushered in the field of scientific visual-isation, thematic map generation, vir-tual visualisation or virtual reality and augmented reality etc.
The DIKD is an overall learning pattern in GIS that interconnects the entire chain of GIS functions in executing a spatial decision. This in-volves the spatial data, the relevant processing performed on the data to transfer it to information and how the information is processed to extract knowledge for final spatial decision. DIKD is a pattern repetitive in many domains of applications involving GIS with variation in data, processing and the end decision to be taken. Presence of DIKD pattern establish-es the GIS as a collaborative platform, for spatiotemporal decision system. In this pattern, spatial data is collect-
ed and collated contextually to bring out the spatial information. The spa-tial information is further processed to extract pattern from the data through many algorithmic techniques known under the banner of spatial data mining techniques or spatial data analytics or knowledge discovery algorithms. These techniques applied on huge amount of spatial data bring out the spatial pattern or knowledge in the data. The spatial patterns and knowledge are lev-eraged in different application areas to take effective decision. A clear benefi-ciary of these patterns is spatial deci-sion support systems such as disaster management system, Command and Control System, Battlefield Manage-ment system (BMS) etc.
DIKD pattern interconnects and leverages the entire chain of learning patterns viz. CDF, MVC and IPO. DIKD uses modelling of spatial data through defined syntax to prepare spatial in-formation out of the spatial data. The semantic networks, semantic rules the spatial data patterns are extracted from large volume of spatial data in pre-paring actionable spatial information for taking decisions. Further, this spatial information is computed and transformed using different spatial processing algorithms often referred as spatial data mining tools to extract knowledge. This chain of processing
which transforms raw spatial data to knowledge which, in turn is being used for taking decision is called DIKD. En-listed below in the table-I are few typi-cal examples of these learning patterns.
Extensive use of GIS by armed forces for planning, execution and analysis of operations cannot be over-emphasised. Therefore, knowledge of usage of GIS and understanding the design and development of operation systems and command and control systems using GIS is quite important for battle managers. Keeping in view the above objectives, GIS training in the form of CEP (Continuing Educa-tion Programme) and user workshop are imparted to the GIS users in the armed forces and scientists. The edu-cation profile of the students attending these courses is heterogeneous field of engineering. The impact of the GIS le-sions imparted are evaluated through a series of questions. The questions set were carefully crafted to be judicious mixture of above four type of learning patterns. The observed data is consol-idated in the table-II.
ConclusionAnalysis of the data, trends emerging from the MOOC (Massively Online Courses) and classroom teachings indicates the mixed pattern of learn-ers from different field of engineering
Digital Terrain Model. Courtesy: TMCE
LEARNING PATTERNS 30
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and applications. This gives a strong indication of the fact that GIS is fast emerging as a platform for interdis-ciplinary learning. Also, GIS exhibits number of patterns which are facili-tator for learning and remembering for students and teaching community. The experimental data obtained from classroom teaching is enlisted in the Table-II. The data was analysed by plotting them in the form of a PI chart (Fig.1). On observation the following inferences regarding the learning pat-terns in GIS can be drawn. → The CDF is the highly effective learning pattern across all types of the students and GIS professionals.→ The MVC is a learning pattern most-
ly followed and utilised by scientists, mathematicians and engineers en-gaged in design and development of the GIS systems.→ DIKD is the learning pattern followed by the domain users and domain experts of the GIS system engaged in day to day use of the GIS for taking decisions.→ IPO is the learning pattern under-stood and practised by students, do-main experts, users, developers. It is the second best learning pattern fol-lowing the CDF pattern.
References
[1] Goodchild, M. F., “Geographical infor-mation science”, International Journal of
26%
22%29%
23%IPOMVC
CDF DIKD
Year Types of Learning PatternsNo of students IPO MVC CDF DIKD
2008 42 29 24 40 25
2009 31 28 21 30 25
2010 24 21 19 23 20
2012 25 22 19 24 17
2013 37 35 31 36 30
Total 159 135 114 153 117
Geographical Information Systems 6:31–45,1992[2] Longley, Paul A., Michael F. Goodchild, David J. Maguire and David W. Rhind (eds.). Geographical Information Systems. vol 1, vol 2. 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons. 1999.[3] Panigrahi, N., “Geographical Informa-tion Science”, University Press, 2009.[4] Chen, Yong-qi and Yuk-cheung Lee (eds.). Geographical Data Acquisition. New York: Springer Wien. 2001[5] Frank, A. U., Spatial concept, geomet-ric data models, and geometric data struc-ture. Computers and Geosciences 18:409–17.1992.[6] Houlding, S. Three-dimensional Geo-sciences Modelling. Berlin: Springer.1994.[7] Worboys, M. F. GIS: A Computing Per-spective. London: Taylor & Francis. 1995.[8] Snyder, John P. “Flattening the Earth – Two Thousand Years of Map Projections.” Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 1993. [9] Snyder, John P. “Map Projections – A Working Manual.” U.S.G.S. Professional Paper 1395. Washington D. C.: U.S. Govern-ment Printing Office. 1987. Reprinted 1989; 1994 with corrections. [10] Snyder, John P. Map Projections Used by the United States Geological Survey. 2nd ed. U.S.G.S. Bulletin No. 1532. Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1983. [11] Steers, J. A. An Introduction to the Study of Map Projections. London: University of London Press. 1965. 1st ed. 1927; 15th ed. 1970. [12] Preparata, Franco P. and Shamos, Mi-chael Ian. “Computational Geometry, An Introduction”, Springer-Verlag., 5th ed 1993.[13] Aurenhammer, F. Voronoi diagrams: A survey of fundamental geometric data structure. ACM Computer Survey 23:345–405. 1991.[14] J. O’ Rourke, “Art Gallery Theorems and Algorithms”. New York: Oxford University Press. 1987.[15] J. O’ Rourke, ”Computational Geome-try Using C”, New York: Cambridge Univer-sity Press., 2nd edn, 1998.[16] Mitasova, H., L. Mitas, B.M. Brown, D.P. Gerdes and I. Kosinovsky. Modeling spatially and temporally distributed phe-nomena: New methods and tools for GRASS GIS. International Journal of GIS 9 (4), Spe-cial issue on integration of environmental modeling and GIS. 1995.[17] Burrough, P.A. “Principles of Geograph-ical Information Systems for Land Resourc-es Assessment.”, Oxford: Clarendon Press. Chapter 8. 1986.[18] Densham, P. J. “Spatial decision sup-port systems. In Geographical Information Systems: Principles and Applications”, ed-ited by D. J. Maguire, M. F. Goodchield and D. W. Rhind. Harlow, Longman/New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc. vol. 1:403–12. 1991.
Narayan PanigrahiCenter for Artificial Intelligence and RoboticsSmita TripathyAeronautical Development Agency (ADA)
TABLE II EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FiG-1, PI-Chart of the correctly answered questions
The statistics of 40 questions with 10 questions each from each learning patterns
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Geographical Information Systems (GIS) play a crucial role in operation planning, execution and monitoring
of progress of operations by showing all entities of interest in the context of a map. GIS provides spatial information platform such as digital maps, digital elevation maps and satellite images to visualise the operation scenario. This would help enable the disposi-tion of enemy deployments and better planning of own forces’ deployment. In the present digital era, GIS is an ex-cellent tool for military commanders in operations.
The use of GIS applications in military has the potential to revolutionise the way in which these forces operate and function. In the context of regional conflicts necessitating, rapid deployment and flexible response, spatial data enjoins upon the operational staff and their supporting system to maintain up-to-date situational awareness of en-emy activities. GIS has a variety of applications including cartography, intelligence, battle field management, terrain analysis, remote sensing, and military installation management and monitoring of possible terrorist activity.
In this analysis of adoption of GIS in the armed forces two is-sues are germane. One is the aspect of integration of operational and tactical information and knowledge with reference to terrain for precise targeting and second using the GIS components to create a customisable, scalable and data centric model for armed forces.
In the Indian context, the need to shift from Platform Centric Operations to Net Centric Operations has brought into focus the critical requirement for integration of operational and tactical information and knowledge with
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GIS Adoption: An Indian Perspective
Spatial data is of crucial importance to the Military Commander in the battle and for decision-maker
planning operational contingencies
reference to terrain for precise targeting. Real-time geographical visualisation of the battlefield scenario on a network that is possible through the exploitation of geospatial data obtained from multi-ple sensors located in space or on aerial, ground, sub-surface and other plat-forms has become an imperative.
The task of generating digital top-ographical database, preparation of Defence Series Maps (DSMs), large scale mapping, training on GIS and attribute data collection, photogrammetric sur-vey was assigned to the Military Survey. In undertaking this task, the require-ment to introduce an Enterprise GIS
became paramount, as also did the requirements of large scale mapping in meeting increasing demands of the upcoming OIS. Transfrontier mapping responsibility that was earlier up to 300 km depth across the border was in-creased to a depth of 5,000 km by Head-quarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) apparently to meet requirements of the Strategic Forces Command .
With an aim to introduce Enterprise GIS, a tri-Service study was ordered in 2007 to examine nuances for establishing an Enterprise GIS. On con-clusion of this study, a GIS Policy with common symbology for the military was issued in 2009. Concurrently, a Re-quest for Proposal (RFP) to establish an Enterprise GIS was floated by DGIS in mid-March 2009 but was not followed
In the present digital era, GIS is an excellent tool for military commanders in the operations
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earlier the Military Survey which was under the Military Operations Directorate (MO Directorate) of Army Headquarters, was moved to Directorate General Information sys-tems. However the Army hierarchy was not satisfied with the pace of work of Military Survey as well as accuracy of their digital maps. Concerned with these errors in the Army’s TacC3I, Military Survey was reverted back to MO Directorate in 2011-12.
According to informed sources, in whatever little map digitisation has been done, there are serious and persistent er-rors even along the Line of Control (LC) in number of cases alignment of LC is off by as much as 50 meters or more. An-other issue is the pace of work; Military Surveys time estimates to complete dig-itisation of maps – a prerequisite for a vi-able GIS – reportedly runs into 10 years or so for maps astride the LC/Line of Actual Control/IB and areas immediate-ly beyond. Second issue is development GIS based spatial information platform such as digital maps, digital elevation maps and satellite images to visualise the operational scenario, such as enemy deployments and dispositions, terrain features for better operational planning.
Most of the GIS applications used by Indian armed forces are based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software. These COTS GIS come with strict licensing policy and are prone to technology denial. Their interoperability with other GIS systems for exchange of spatial information is limited.
To overcome these challenges and pitfalls of COTS GIS, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) has developed a home-grown GIS software for military applications, christened as INDIGIS. “The INDIGIS is a suite of GIS components which are customisable, scalable and data centric to meet the specific GIS requirements of a collaborative defence environment. It offers a common platform for display, analysis and decision support involv-ing spatio-temporal data for Net Cen-tric Operation (NCO) systems,” Indig-
enous GIS kernel has been developed as a library of software components to cover the following major function. They are: a) processing of geospatial data in various formats of interest to Indian military; b) creation and man-agement of a portable military symbol library; c) geospatial data exchange, analysis and visualisation with vari-ous Tactical Command Control Com-munication and Intelligence (TacC3I) systems; d) analysis and visualisation of data from military sensors like GPS, digital compass, Battlefield Surveil-lance Radar, echo-sounder and un-manned aerial vehicles; e) support for all the usual features of COTS GIS including analysis and visualisation of geospatial data in 2D and 3D. Although the INDGIS has been fielded in num-ber of exercises, nonetheless the Ser-vice HQ are nor very satisfied. In their perception the system is at best a tech-nology demonstrator which has yet to be accepted for formal adoption by the Army HQ.
Above analysis reveals that despite attempts being made to develop a robust and operational GIS System; huge organisational and system gaps remain. This is primarily on account of turf battles, perception gap between the MO Directorate, DGIS and the DRDO. Important issue is that as the IRNSS and other space based assets become available, delay in developing Enter-prise GIS fast tracking digitisation by Military Survey, taking a call INDIGIS by Army HQ working in tandem with CAIR, so that it can be fielded at the earliest. One of the constant refrain from DRDO and laboratories like CAIR is the lack of feed back or enun-ciation of desired operational and system parameters.
up. This was followed by another study addressing the organisational and out-put oriented shortcomings of Military Survey. Main issues addressed by the study included — restructuring of Mil-itary Survey in concert with available global technology and modern tech-niques; examine existing system of mapping, digitisation and how updating can be speeded up through reorganisa-tion; examine the role of Military Survey in attribute data collection, rationalisa-tion of existing manpower etc. some of the important findings were; restruc-turing of Military Survey including at formation levels, changing its structure to all arms, need to infuse new equip-ment and technologies in particular, emerging technologies like digital pho-togrammetric using digital aerial photo/high resolution imagery/UAV inputs, mobile data capture in field using PC tablets, gravity and geomagnetic sur-veys, Airborne Laser Terrain Mapping (ALTM)/LiDAR survey, online data transfer for updation/web enabled services, etc. based on visualisation of future operational requirements. The study report despite approval remains unimplemented.
In fact, the command and control
Most of the GIS applications used by Indian armed forces are based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software, which come with strict licensing policy and are prone to technology denial
Brig Arun Sahgal (Retd)[email protected]
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In their entire careers and maybe even in their lifetime, Air Defence operators may never be actually attacked by an enemy aircraft.
If they do get such an opportunity, it may be just once. In the fog of war, can a soldier afford to lose that one oppor-tunity, that he gets in his lifetime, by making a mistake and allowing the en-emy aircraft to escape? It may be pos-sible that the soldier mistakes enemy aircraft as own and allows them to es-cape. Alternately, the soldier may mis-take own aircraft as enemy aircraft and engage them. Unless the soldier has faced actual or near actual situation many times and practiced sufficient-ly, he is likely to miss the opportuni-ty. Simulators can bring war-time or operational situation to the soldier in peacetime, in classrooms or in train-ing areas. A soldier can now enter war as a veteran, having experienced war-like situations on the simulator.
The Aircraft Recognition Trainer (ART) is computer based classroom trainer that can be used to impart dy-namic aircraft recognition training in simulated operational situations. The system depicts fighter, transport and commercial aircraft, helicopters and UAVs in various modes and profiles
Aircraft Recognition Training Using 3D Terrain ModelsAircraft recognition training is essential for every soldier in air defence
of flight under realistic operational terrain, weather and day/night condi-tions. One such system is used to train 20 or more trainees at a time by an in-structor. Realistic positional surround sound with Doppler is integrated for all types of aircraft, helicopters and UAVs in single aircraft and multiple aircraft in various formations modes. Aircraft are projected on a large screen in the class-room to train the Air Defence operators. The operators have touch screen mon-itors to answer questions and practice aircraft recognition from a database of realistic 3D models prepared.
System ConfigurationThe ART comprises of an instructor workstation, one image generator workstation, twenty desktop/thin cli-ents based trainee workstations, one projection system and audio system, UPS and associated ethernet/wi-fi based networking hardware. The In-structor Console is a suitable server for the instructor to carry out group training sessions and conduct tests. It has both Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity inbuilt and a TFT touch screen monitor of 21-inch size. The Image Generator is a high-end workstation that displays high-resolution graphics of the Aircraft
Recognition Training exercises on a projection system. This also has inbuilt Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity. Students undertake ART in individual training mode, group training mode and they can be subjected to tests and assess-ment on thin client based student con-soles. Soft copies of high fidelity and high resolution aircraft, helicopters and UAV models are pre-installed into the system. More models can be made and incorporated depending upon the requirement of the clients. Different terrain models comprising of elevation data and imagery will be loaded in the system.
Modes of OperationExercise Preparation Mode: In this mode, the instructor is provided with the facility to plan an exercise scenar-io and save it in an exercise library. A scenario comprises an area of inter-est (AoI) of 10 km x 10 km and aircraft routes. Routes are a set of waypoints that aircraft or formations must touch. A section between two waypoints is called a route leg. Facility is provided to store waypoints and routes in way-point and route libraries respectively. During exercise creation, the instruc-tor has the option to either create new routes and add these to the scenario or load existing routes from the route library. Existing routes can even be modified to create new routes and stored thus. The instructor then as-signs aircraft formations to each of these routes in the exercise. The sys-tem automatically computes time at the waypoints based on the leg speed and leg distance. The actual path fol-
Students undertake ART in individual training mode, group training mode and can be subjected to tests and assessment on Thin Client based student consoles
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lowed by the aircraft and formations depends on flight dynamics. The in-structor also has the facility to pro-gram observer positions along the route to facilitate observation.Exercise Execution (Training) Mode: This is the group training mode in which students are trained to recognize aircraft in realistic oper-ational settings. The instructor loads an exercise from the exercise library into the image generator application and simulates the exercise. He is pro-vided with the control to start, stop, freeze and manage the speed of the simulation. The image generator cre-ates a DEM and loads the imagery of the AoI of the exercise from the terrain database to create NDA6978 realistic terrain and environment setting, night/day and weather conditionetc as per the requirements. On starting the exercise, the simulation engine of the image generator updates the air-craft position as per the set speed on the programmed route and renders the image at a frame rate of 60 Hz. By default, the system renders the field of view (FoV) of the observer, which is pre-programmed into the exercise by the instructor. However, the in-structor is also provided with the fa-
cility to change the camera angle as required. The system will generate audio of the aircraft sound on the 5.1 channel speaker provided. During exercise execution, the student con-soles flash a multiple choice question of the aircraft in the frame and they also have the facility to input their an-swers through the touch screen. Group Training Mode: In this mode, the instructor conducts a class with single aircraft models. He is provided with the facility to zoom in/out, ro-tate, pitch, roll and yaw the selected model and highlight the important sections like wings, engine, fuselage and tail of the aircraft. He can also pull out similar looking aircraft from the library and highlight the subtle differences. Actual aircraft images, videos and text data, if available, in the aircraft database can be accessed and displayed along-with the models. In this mode, the student console is loaded with the aircraft data being presented by the instructor.Individual Training Mode: In this mode, each student can inde-pendently pull out aircraft models, images, text and videos from the cen-tral database in the instructor ma-chine and carry out self study. The
student console will be provided with the controls to view the aircraft mod-els from various perspectives using zoom and rotate controls. Test Mode: This consists of a test prepa-ration mode and test conduct mode. The instructor will be provided with the facility to create a set of objective type questions/answers and answer time for the question. A test question may per-tain to aircraft models, image, text or an exercise scenario. These are stored in a test database. A question paper comprising of a set of questions picked up from the database is loaded into the student consoles during the conduct of the test. Answers fed by the students are compiled and stored in the central database.Debrief Mode: In this mode, the in-structor is provided with the facility to debrief the students with their re-sponses to an exercise or a test.
Software SpecificationsInstructor Console Software: The following functionality is provided by the Instructor Application on the ART network. It is user friendly and enables the instructor to create new exercises and to execute the created exercises on the image generator.
System Configuration of Aircraft Recognition Training.
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Software Functions• Provide a 2D map based workspace
to load geo-referenced satellite im-agery/maps to create and execute exercises.
• Provide a 2D workspace to load stat-ic images of aircraft and 3D work-space to load 3D aircraft models.
• Facility to create new exercises com-prising of areas of interest (AoI), routes, aircraft and aircraft for-mations scheduled to fly on these routes in various profiles. The sys-tem will build the terrain for the se-lected AoI from the terrain database.
• Create routes by defining waypoints based on lat-long, military grid ref-erence and from the waypoint li-brary. Facility to create routes as sets of waypoints that include the start points, target points and endpoints.
• Create missions comprising of aircraft of same or different types from the library. Facility to de-fine the formation geometries and attack profiles.
• Facility to place observers at selected points on the ground for each route.
• Maintain a library of exercises,
routes, waypoints and aircraft. Facility to modify and save param-eters of exercises, routes, waypoints and aircraft in the library by the in-structor.
• Facility to define the aircraft profile on a route in a library or a mission. Facility to set speed, altitude and bank angle for each leg of the route. This will define the aircraft attitude at any point in flight which includes the pitch, roll and yaw axis.
• Facility to load an exercise into the image generator exercise. Control the exercise execution in the image generator by play, pause, resume, speed adjustment and stop controls.
• Facility to dynamically position camera in an executing exercise.
• Facility to set the environmental and weather conditions of the exercise including time of the day, ambient light, snow, rain, fog etc that affect visibility. Facility to set the cloud density and type and altitude.
• By means of above three mecha-nisms, classify the missions as very advanced, and basic based on the number of recognisable features
seen by the observer based on the aircraft attitude and distance.
• Project images/3D models of aircraft to the student consoles in group training sessions.
• Facility to maintain a database of students and a sample question bank.
• Facility to create tests from the ques-tion bank and conduct tests.
• Auto evaluate a student’s perfor-mance in a test, maintain the test scores and conduct debrief sessions.
Image Generator Software: The im-age generator is the application that renders the scenario comprising the aircraft and terrain in a realistic and dynamic fashion to provide high fi-delity images in real time. The im-age generator processes the aircraft and terrain models in 3D internally. The output of the image generator is fed to the projection system for 2D visualisation.
Software Functions• Maintains a library of terrain
information — imagery and eleva-tion data — in a database.
Training Mode of ART
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• Maintains a library of aircraft models that will be rendered in the exercise.
• Executes commands received from the instructor console to load, play, pause, resume, and adjust the simulation speed of an exercise. Synthesises high quality videos as directed by the instructor and displays the scenarios through the state of the art projection system provided.
• Renders the executing exercise at a refresh rate of 60 Hz.
• Positions the camera as per the set-tings in the exercise. Shifts the cam-era dynamically on receipt of com-mands from the instructor console.
• Simulates the mission profile and environment conditions as set in the exercise or dynamically controlled by the instructor. In case of dynamic changes introduced by the instructor at execution time, retains the param-eters of the original exercise.
• Animates the flight path of air-craft in real time by comput-ing instantaneous positions and it’s pitch, roll and yaw as per the
programmed route. Generate imag-es procedurally without writing to the disk.
• Renders the aircraft models and terrain as per LoD requirements. The rendering engine automatically switches the number of polygons of the scenario elements in the field of view depending upon their distance from the camera point for efficient rendering.
• Loads the highest resolution image and elevation data available in the database. Blends various resolution data in case of an overlap to create a single depth complexity image for the scene.
• Simulates the environment conditions of fog, haze, visibility, rain, snow, clouds etc.
Student Console Software: The student console application is launched on Thin Client system and permits the student to undertake ART sessions in various modes mentioned below: → The students have the facility to
train either in individual mode or
group mode and undertake a test in the test mode.
→ In individual mode, a student can download aircraft data from the central database hosted in the instructors console into his thin client. The data comprises of aircraft models, images, videos and text. The data also consists of important aircraft performance specifications and WEFT (Wings, Engine, Fuse-lage and Tail) features that form the distinguishing characteristics of the aircraft being displayed.
→ The group training mode is instruc-tor driven. The instructor can either train the students on individual aircraft models or train them in a realistic scenario comprising an exercise executing in the image generator. In the exercise mode, as an aircraft formation appears in the field of view, the students’ console is populated with a multiple choice question on aircraft recognition. The answers inputted by the stu-dents are automatically evaluated by the instructor’s application.
→ In the test mode, the student needs to answer multiple choice ques-tions on aircraft models, images, videos and exercises projected on the screen. The multiple choice questions appearing on the stu-dents console are synchronised with the model, image, video or exercise portion projected on the screen. The students answer the question from the multiple choice option presented on their touch screen monitors.
Brig SC Sharma (Retd)[email protected] Training Module
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A Continual Shift
Market forces and customer needs barely allow us to only be an imagery provider as there is a shift in extracted information services, speaks out David Belton, General Manager, Geospatial Services, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA)
Y ou (MDA) are largest satellite based radar data provider, how according to you did Radarsat-1
and Radarsat-2 come into picture?Two decades ago, Canada was in the planning phase in terms of investing in the space scenario. At that point of time, the need to have a better understanding of happenings in the Arctic region was one of the pressing demands that the country faced. There were too few tech-nologies that were actually capable of mapping the area. Space-based radar system was the best suited technology, so Canada made a conscious decision
to strategically invest in that area. This gave birth to the RADARSAT pro-gramme. Since then, maritime surveillance has become a huge and pressing issue for the country and this ultimately led to RADARSAT-1 mission. This brought focus to the radar technology which formed the basis of the company RADAR International, which gave birth to MDA.
So, what’s the range RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2 are playing with?RADARSAT-1 had a range of different im-aging modes. The high-est resolution mode
was an 8m mode called ‘fine beam resolution mode’ and was about 50km wide as single image. This also has a number of other imaging configurations — something called the ‘ScanSAR Wide Beam mode’ which has a 100m resolution, but a very broad swath from 8m to 100m resolution. When RADAR-SAT2 was introduced, decisions were made to go in a number of different directions — one was to implement some really high resolution imaging modes, a three 3m resolution called the ‘ultra fine’ and 1m resolution called ‘spotlight imaging’ focussed on target surveillance which is a very localised imaging of target locations. In addi-
tion, RADARSAT 2 added a polarisa-tion imaging suite which is a collection technique that allows additional infor-mation to be extracted. The other main component of RADARSAT-2 was that a wide collection of nodes were created to focus on broader coverage market where RADARSAT has a niche.
Are you planning to launch more satellites to continue with the RADARSAT-1 mission?RADARSAT-1 was launched in 1995 and had a five year design life, but it actually ran all the way to 2013 (a good 17 years beyond its operational service). And RADARSAT-2 was launched in 2007 and has a design life of seven one quarter years. The satellite is in incredible health today. With adequate fuel onboard, we expect it to continue functioning for another decade or so. RADARSAT constellation mission is now a fully funded programme. The government entered into a contract with us for the build phase of the mission, last year, so we’re in the mid of the construction process. With a design life of seven plus years, the scheduled launch of the programme is 2018.
Are all the missions of MDA in partnership with private players? The Government of Canada invested in setting up of the infrastructure of the RADARSAT programme. In the RADARSAT-2 era, the investment came in the form of an effectively prepaid purchase of imagery to MDA. Then, through the course of the mission, MDA delivered on the prepaid purchase
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commitment. MDA also made signif-icant investments in the construction and operation of the mission, so the public private partnership has taken the form of a government pre-purchase of data and MDA investment in manu-facturing and operations.
In the new RCM (RADARSAT Constellation Mission) era, things are back to a traditional model where MDA is manufacturing and constructing a government-funded mission and the company is also in discussions with the government to commercialise the data.
Throw light on your business model...On the RADARSAT-1 case, this was an instance where there was a royal-ty relationship with the Government of Canada. In RADARSAT-2 case, it really is a pre-purchase of data that the government has made. There is a contract with Canadian govern-ment on the funds provided to MDA, and over the course of the contract We deliver on the products that are purchased through those funds.
How is radar imagery being utilised in other applications apart from maritime surveillance?MDA has a particular market fo-cus in its business — defense and security, particularly maritime sur-veillance, are the top market verticals and the company spends a lot of its time and energy in developing that market. The second focus is the oil and gas industry, and within that in-dustry MDA provides a range of ser-vices. Perhaps the most robust and mature is offshore oil spill detection and monitoring, which MDA does for commercial oil and gas operators and government regulators. MDA also does onshore subsidence monitor-
ing, using a technique called INSAR that measures very small changes in surface elevation over active reser-voirs where oil and gas extraction is happening. This is done for the pur-pose of safety and to help the industry understand the impact their activities are having on the environment over those reservoirs. The third focus is the natural resources sector – MDA has a range of services, particularly in the areas of ice monitoring and detection of illegal fishing.
Tell us about the value added services you offer...MDA’s business is going more and more in the direction of extracted in-formation services as opposed to im-agery. Because of market forces and customer needs, MDA cannot only be an imagery provider – it needs to de-liver more information and value to its customers.
For MDA to be successful and for its customers to be satiated, the company has to help customers extract the information for radar imagery. For example, when we talk about surface subsidence and defor-mation services, what MDA is pro-viding its customers is not imagery, but deformation maps describing vertical motion. When we talk about maritime surveillance, while image-ry might be a component of that ser-vice, these maps are often deliverable as text information product with ship location, heading, speed, etc. There is a continual shift in business, more and more towards these value added services. This doesn’t mean we don’t sell imagery – that is still at the core of the business. It is a service as well as a product model – there is a range of ser-vices that are built around things like monthly subscriptions. For example,
in maritime surveillance, the way ser-vice is provided is that a customer who wants monitoring of a certain area signs up for it. In other cases, there is a product delivery model whereby MDA delivers products to customers in re-sponse to an emergency event, or they are bought and sold on the basis of a customer order. It varies quite a lot de-pending on the customer and the level of service he wants.
When it comes to imagery distribution, how do you operate across the world?It’s a mixture of direct selling and selling through international partners, distributors and resellers. In our Vancouver office, we have a centralised direct sale customer service group that handles individual orders globally. We also have comprehensive sales team that tries to find out complex opportunities in sales. The team here is multilingual, they serve users in Asia, Europe and North America. In addition to that, we also have a global network of partners that are geographically focussed on a certain market vertical, etc.
In the past, we have partnered with general geospatial and remote sensing companies. But what we find ourselves doing today is more and more market vertical specific partnership to access the mining industry or oil and gas industry or defense sector.
Is MDA catering to the emerging markets?The overall MDA strategy is to become a multinational company. In order to address that strategy, the company is looking at finding ways to have local presence in emerging markets and geographies like Brazil and India. Natural resources are driving a lot of geospatial activities in these economies and the company has a particular focus on building local partnerships with organisations that are operating in these domains and locations. Places like Brazil, where mining is a major endeavor and deforestation is a major issue, are well suited for some of MDA’s technologies.
The future for the RADARSAT programme is the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, which is now a fully-funded programme
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