Expanding the Utility and Interoperability of Rapidly Generated Terrain Datasets

Reality modeling is a staple in military modeling and simulation (M&S) communities. Whether from overhead or terrestrial imagery, photogrammetric-based collector’s reality modeling advancements now allow for the generation of high-resolution 3D models from a variety of sources to rapidly meet M&S needs. The University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) Modeling and Simulation Terrain Team creates these immersive and informative 3D datasets that help warfighters and supporting elements improve performance through its participation in the U.S. Army’s One World Terrain (OWT) effort. These high-resolution 3D models deliver enhanced real-world views and provide a detailed understanding of the physical environment, allowing for in-depth simulated mission rehearsal and planning. Traditionally, these models were designed to serve the needs of the M&S communities only, with no allowance for geospatial representation in place in space (i.e., single-scene viewing). The models were limited to training and theoretical/scenario-based mission planning. ICT, through its partnership with the University of Southern California’s Spatial Science Institute (SSI) and GeoAcuity, a veteran-owned small business, has been working on an effort to transition and geospatially enable these datasets from M&S-specific needs to a more “operationalized” and interoperable dataset designed to better integrate with the GEOINT Community writ large. This has been done by a dynamic team with roots in both disciplines who conducted an in-depth study of the knowledge and technology gaps between the M&S and GEOINT Communities and the identification of the best way to ameliorate those differences.

Read the full article: https://trajectorymagazine.com/expanding-the-utility-and-interoperability-of-rapidly-generated-terrain-datasets/