Geotechnology has long been a valuable military tool. Now the technology is gaining increased exposure through media coverage of the war in Iraq.
A visit to Space Imaging headquarters in Thornton, Colo., in March 2003 provided a compelling example of the importance the media places on imagery. A local television station had been by for a tour the day prior to my visit, and, on the day I stopped by, another station was there and yet another was scheduled for an afternoon visit. In addition, several national media outlets kept my hosts busy with calls for the latest imagery.
The news media has gained a new sophistication regarding geotechnology. Previously, the media were satisfied with high-resolution images. They now request georectified imagery for use in GIS and other visualization tools. Such increased sophistication is evident in the tools we see on television (see "Geotech Industry Bolsters War Coverage," page 11).
The Importance of Precision
Handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers had just hit the market in 1991 when the Gulf War broke out. Coalition forces scrambled to obtain the devices, and General Schwarzkopf, the coalition commander-in-chief, heralded the receivers as a major war-winning factor.
Now a GPS receiver is standard issue for soldiers, providing them with a contextual way to determine position. GPS is a crucial component in military logistics, providing a means to track military assets. In addition, GPS has been incorporated as a guidance system in bombs that allow for precise targeting of military objectives.
Contributing Essential Detail
GIS plays a role in each of the military's "four C's": command, control, communication and coordination. From real-time tracking of troops to assessing enemy positions to communicating damage to producing updated maps to support air and ground forces, timely delivery of data is crucial to efficient operations.
Terrain analysis also is key to military planning. The vast and treeless vistas of the desert are a deceptive terrain that needs detailed analysis to expose the rolling sand dunes which provide hiding places. The advanced visualization capabilities of GIS provides detailed land maps with information on land use, terrain models, transportation systems, vegetation cover, com munication lines, etc. The accuracy is critical for optimizing strategy and utilizing resources.
Regardless of one's personal belief about the war's justification, geotechnology plays an important role in increasing the safety of soldiers and reducing the harm to civilians.
MATF BALL is editor of Geo World magazine, 2400 28th St., Suite 103, Boulder, CO 80301; e-mail: mball@aip.com.
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