Exploiting the Utility of Space-Based Environmental Surveillance Systems at the Operational Level of War.
1997
Barron, John
The ability to assess the physical environment of the battlefield and understand its implications on the outcome of military operations is an integral part of the operational commander's planning and decision making processes. Today, accurate environmental intelligence, particularly in the areas of weather observation and terrain characterization, is almost exclusively accomplished through the use of space-based surveillance systems. The analysis of near real-time, satellite data in the form of digital, multispectral imagery (MSI) can be utilized to provide precise information on weather systems, atmospheric profiles, nearshore beach surveys, bathymetry, land classification schemes, terrain contouring and topography, hydrological evaluations, and much more. For today's Joint Task Force commanders (CJTFs), the exploitation of this environmental intelligence in support of operations at the theater level of war has a direct bearing on mobility, maneuver, deception, operational fires and reconnaissance (RECCE). Specific military applications of MSI include; disaster assessment; land lines of communication (LOCs) identification and interdiction; camouflage, concealment and deception (CC&D) detection; flight planning; and strike targeting. Not surprisingly, the utility of MSI applications tailored to supporting CJTFs spans the entire spectrum of conflict, from operations other than war (OOTW) scenarios such as humanitarian relief assistance and noncombatant evacuations (NEOs) to wartime amphibious assaults and major regional contingencies (MRCs).
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