Development of a tactical terrain analysis system with GIS technique

The authors have designed and implemented a computerized tactical terrain analysis system for a battlefield operation. The terrain information produced by this system will enhance the combat capability of a military unit and efficiency of weapon system. This system is designed to provide a computer graphics environment in which the analyst can interactively operate the whole analyzing process such as selecting the area of interest, performing analysis functions, simulating required battlefield operation and display the analyzed results. This system is divided into three major sections; the terrain analysis modules, utilities, and graphic editor. The terrain analysis module includes surface analysis, line of sight analysis, enemy disposition, 3D display, radar coverage, logistic route analysis, shortest path analysis, atmospheric phenomena prediction, automated IPB (intelligence preparation of battlefield), and other applied analysis. For this task, a combination of 2D and 3D computer graphics techniques using the X-window system with OSF/Motif in a UNIX workstation was adopted as the user interface. The integration technique of remotely sensed images and GIS data such as precision registration, overlay, and on-line editing was developed and implemented. An efficient image and GIS data management technique was also developed and implemented using the Oracle database management system.