GPS World

Tag: GEOINT

  • Report Examines Geospatial Analysis for Defense, Security

    A new report by Visiongain examines geospatial data analysis for defense and homeland security — a world market worth $9.7 billion in 2014. The report, “Governmental Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Solutions Market 2014-2024: Digital Mapping, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Cloud-Based Geo-Analytics & Geo-Data Exploitation for Defence & Homeland Security” is being offered by Reportbuyer.com.

    Advances in technologies such as cloud and 3D modeling — together with increased availability of high-quality, high-accuracy geospatial data, especially from space-based remote sensing satellites — are propelling the market for governmental GEOINT solutions, Reportbuyer.com said.

    “The coming decade will see governments around the world scrambling to acquire GEOINT capabilities on increasingly higher scales, to ensure they stay on top in the ‘information superiority’ race,”  Reportbuyer.com said in a press release. “At the moment, outside the U.S. this is a relatively young market, at the very beginning of a period of large international expansion over the next ten years.”

    According to Reportbuyer.com, geospatial information exploitation technology is one of the vital enablers and defining aspects of 21st century defense, intelligence and homeland security capabilities and operations. In a digital age where the vast majority of data has a location and time, GIS and GEOINT systems provide the means to reference it geographically.

    “In this visual context, complex dynamics, patterns and relationships can be revealed, analyzed and understood in a completely new way,” Reportbuyer.com said. “This takes ‘situational awareness’ to an entirely different level, and enables an unprecedented and powerful new type of analysis: geospatial analysis. A key part of this overall capability is a new generation of tools for advanced digital mapping and modeling, which extend the applications of GIS beyond intelligence, C2 (command and control) and the achievement of information superiority into areas like resource management, mission simulation, and down to individual soldiers.”

    The 300-page report provides market forecasts and analysis for GEOINT solutions, 2014-2024, and sales value projections of the market with essential information on the technologies, GEOINT organizations and competitors. The report is available at Reportbuyer.com.

  • Remote GeoSystems LineVision Software Maps Geospatial Video

    Art Kalinski, GeoIntelligence Insider editor, reports on Remote GeoSystems‘ geospatial DVR at the 2015 Esri Federal GIS Conference, held Feb. 9-10 in Washington, D.C. LineVision Esri ArcGIS is a stand-alone desktop software that leverages Esri GIS technology to map, analyze and package geospatial full motion video, photos, annotations, documents, SHP files and raster imagery from the geospatial DVR.

  • USGIF Opens 2015 Scholarship Program

    The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is now accepting applications for its 2015 Scholarship Program. The program assists promising students pursuing the geospatial sciences with scholarship awards to further the advancement of the geospatial intelligence tradecraft.

    In 2014, $101,000 in scholarships was awarded to 22 recipients. Since 2004 when the scholarship program began, $792,000 in scholarships has been awarded to more than 170 students.

    “The USGIF Scholarship Program is open to students with innovative ideas for advancing the use of geospatial science, data, and technology to solve human security challenges such as conflict, natural disaster, emergency response, public safety, health, the environment, transportation, and more,” said Maxwell Baber, USGIF’s director of academic programs. “We accept applicants from any discipline focused on human-scale activity and the human-environment interface.”

    Graduating high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students studying geospatial intelligence, geography, political science, computer science, biology, anthropology, and any other field in the natural and social sciences are encouraged to apply. Applications can be found at USGIF’s website and are due no later than April 20.

    USGIF is a nonprofit educational foundation dedicated to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and developing a stronger GEOINT Community with government, industry, academia, professional organizations, and individuals who develop and apply geospatial intelligence to address national security challenges. USGIF’s mission is to build the community, advance the tradecraft, and accelerate innovation.

    For more information on the USGIF Scholarship Program or to read about past USGIF scholarship recipients, visit usgif.org/education/scholarships.

  • NGA Issues Advisory Notice on Web Mercator for Mission-Critical Operations

    The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has issued an advisory notice on the use of Web Mercator for mission-critical operations.

    The notice outlines application risks to operations and adherence to Department of Defense World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84).

    “This message outlines the risks associated with the use of Web Mercator applications for DoD and GEOINT user community operations. The NGA Geomatics Office has assessed the use of Web Mercator and other non-WGS 84 spatial reference systems may cause geo-location / geo-coordinate errors up to 40,000 meters. This erroneous geospatial positioning information poses an unacceptable risk to global safety of navigation activities, and Department of Defense, intelligence community, and allied partner systems, missions, and operations that require accurate and precise positioning and navigation information. The NGA Geomatics Office reminds the community to use DoD approved World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84) applications for all mission critical activities.”

    Many popular commercial visualization, mapping and mobile web device applications use a Web Mercator spherical earth reference. “These applications are not an equal alternative to DoD WGS 84, as they do not provide the same geo-coordinates or geo-location accuracies,” the advisory states.

     

  • GEOINT Coverage, Day 3: Interview with USGIF CEO, New Tech

    Kalinski-Ball-Aerospace-GEOINT-O
    Roy Nelson of Ball Aerospace discusses real-time 3D models created with flash LIDAR. See video below.

    GEOINT 2013* –  Day Three

    I had the opportunity to interview Keith Masback, CEO of USGIF, about GEOINT 2013*. He discusses new technology, future combat systems, and plans for the 2015 conference. Watch the interview here:

    I spent a good part of the day touring the GEOINT EXPO. Here are a few video clips that show technology I found especially interesting, from these exhibitors. (Scroll down to see each video.):

    Ball Aerospace: Roy Nelson of Ball Aerospace discusses real-time 3D models created with flash LIDAR.

    Consolidated Resource Imaging (CRI): Dr. Gregg Wildes discusses the company’s system of wide-area surveillance, including the WAMI, or wide-area motion imagery system.

    Solid Terrain Modeling: Mark Fisher talks about how his company creates 3D models of terrain using geospatial data sets with its special inkjet printer.

    TerraGo: Scott Lee shows off new developments with GEOPDFs on a mobile device, using the Terrago Edge application.

    Thermopylae Sciences & Technology: Jamel Monroe, engineer at Thermopylae, demonstrates the Occulus Rift 3D virtual reality glasses, with the game Half-Life 2.

  • Art Kalinski Reports from the GEOINT Symposium

    Art Kalinski, Geointelligence Editor, interviewed USGIF CEO Keith Masback about GEOINT 2013*, being held this week in Tampa, Florida. Mossback discusses new technology, future combat systems, and plans for the 2015 conference. Watch the interview above.

    Kalinksi has been reporting from GEOINT* 2013 all week, with video reports. His coverage of Day Three includes visits with experts at six booths in the exhibit hall, including a demonstration of the Occulus Rift 3D glasses and an inkjet printer that produces 3D terrain models, as well as an interview with USGIF CEO Keith Mossback about the show and plans for next year.

    Coverage of Day Two includes a press briefing with Lettitia Long, director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA); a demonstration by Airbus; and a visit to the Skyline booth.

    Read his coverage of Day One of the symposium here. Included are videoclips from a DigitalGlobe presentation about the TomNod crowdsourcing efforts to find Malaysian Airlines Flight 370.

    Learn more about Art’s plans in his monthly column, or watch his introduction.

  • GEOINT Coverage, Day 2: Keynotes, Airbus, Skyline

    GEOINT 2013* — Day Two

    Today was the official start of the GEOINT 2013* Symposium. Attendance was estimated at 3,500.

    Keynote speakers included James Clapper, director of National Intelligence (DNI), LTG Michael Flynn, director, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and Lettitia Long, director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).

    The full conference guide and videos of many keynote speeches will be available through the GEOINT 2013 website in about two weeks. The full conference guide is available now as a downloadable PDF.

    I had an opportunity to attend a separate press briefing by Director Long (watch below).

    Included is a large exhibit hall, and today I started touring the booths. In the video below, I talk with Matt Harrison of Skyline as he demonstrates the company’s technology to generate 3D models from oblique imagery.

    Also, AirBus demonstrated its global DEM data set.

  • CompassData Certified by FAA to Collect Data for Aviation Mapping

    CompassData, a worldwide provider of geospatial data and services, has received DO-200A certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for collection and processing of survey and ground control data used in the creation of Airport Mapping Database (AMDB) products.

    “DO-200A certification enables CompassData to provide Ground Control Points (GCPs) for generation of digital aeronautical products, such as Airport Moving Maps, used by pilots in the cockpit to navigate on the ground at airports worldwide,” said Hayden Howard, CompassData Vice President. “This certification applies to custom ground control collects and to many of the GCPs that exist in our worldwide archive available off the shelf for immediate purchase.”

    In addition, CompassData has been approved to use its GCPs and Accuracy Analyst map tool to verify the accuracy of satellite or aerial imagery used in creation of AMDB DO-272C aviation products. This means CompassData may orthorectify a high-resolution DigitalGlobe satellite image, verify that the orthoimage accuracy meets sub one- and five-meter specifications, and provide the image to an aeronautical mapping firm or avionics system developer to generate commercial products.

    DO-200A standards were developed by FAA to assure the quality of data used in the preparation of aeronautical mapping, navigation and situational awareness products and systems. Prior to certification, CompassData completed a rigorous examination procedure in which FAA reviewed every step in the firm’s methodologies for collecting, processing and managing GPS-surveyed ground control to ensure the data is accurate, timely, complete, and traceable.

    FAA has granted only six LOAs (Letters of Acceptance) in the Denver ACO Region and only 24 globally. CompassData is the first in the world to receive certification for verification of data sets used to create Airport Moving Map data.

    In March, CompassData purchased the assets of Spatial Information Solutions (SIS) in Starkville, Mississippi, and announced the continued sale and support of the popular Accuracy Analyst and Topo Analyst Map Accuracy Tools. These software applications are relied upon by geospatial end users to automatically verify the accuracy of orthoimagery and digital elevation data sets, often with CompassData GCPs.

    CompassData will discuss the FAA DO-200A certification and demonstrate Accuracy Analyst and Topo Analyst Map Accuracy Tools in booth #2063 at GEOINT 13* being held April 14-17, 2014, in Tampa, Florida.

  • NGA’s Bryan Goltry Honored with Lt. Michael P. Murphy Award

    This morning at the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation’s (USGIF) GEOINT 2013* Symposium, the 2013 Lt. Michael P. Murphy Award in Geospatial Intelligence was presented to Bryan Goltry, an analyst at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). NGA Director Letitia A. Long and Dr. Todd S. Bacastow, professor of practice for geospatial intelligence at Penn State University, presented the award to Goltry on the main stage directly following Long’s keynote address.

    “The Murphy award committee felt that Bryan’s independent studies made an exceptional contribution to understanding the principle dimensions of the geospatial intelligence profession,” said Bacastow.

    Goltry is a geospatial analyst with NGA’s Analysis Directorate, and recently completed Penn State’s master’s degree program in homeland security with a GEOINT focus. Goltry began his GEOINT career with Earth Satellite Corp., where he assisted with NGA’s GeoCover project. He then served as an imagery analyst at NGA from 2002 to 2006. In 2006, he worked in the private sector with 3001 Inc. as a program manager providing imagery and geospatial analysis services to customers in the Intelligence and Defense Communities. Goltry received his bachelor’s degree in geographic sciences with concentrations in GIS, global studies, and environmental studies from James Madison University.

    “Goltry’s contributions to NGA and his tradecraft continue the high standards established by the Murphy Award,” said Mark Brender, executive director of the DigitalGlobe Foundation. “We congratulate him for his excellent work and passion for his industry.”

    The Murphy Award is named for Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a distinguished Penn State alumnus. Murphy was killed June 28, 2005, by enemy forces during a reconnaissance mission in Afghanistan. For his selfless leadership and courageous actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The award, in his honor, recognizes achievement by a Penn State graduate student who is serving or has served in the U.S. Armed Forces or U.S. Intelligence Community. Recipients are
    chosen based upon demonstration of exceptional contributions to the discipline after completing Penn State’s Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Intelligence, as part of the university’s Master of Geographic Information Systems program.
    The generosity of USGIF, the DigitalGlobe Foundation, and faculty, staff, and friends of Penn State fund the Murphy Award.

  • USGIF Chairman Stu Shea Steps Down After 10 Years of Service

    After founding the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) in 2004, serving as its first president and chief executive officer, and presiding as the Chairman of the Board for 10 years, Stu Shea this morning announced during the GEOINT 2013* Symposium he is stepping down from his position as chairman of the foundation. The Honorable Jeffrey K. Harris was elected Shea’s successor by the board of directors at its last meeting. Harris will assume chairman duties effective immediately.

    “USGIF has grown over the past decade to become exactly what myself and the other founders envisioned for the GEOINT Community,” Shea said. “From a small gathering of intelligence professionals, USGIF has built a community around and furthered GEOINT tradecraft, fueled by the strategic direction of the Board, the talented USGIF staff, and countless Foundation members, partners, and volunteers. Our accomplishments have been a team effort, and I am so very proud to have been a part of this success.”

    Since USGIF was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) educational, nonprofit foundation in January 2004, Shea has dedicated much of his time and energy as chairman. He served USGIF in a part-time capacity, one that sometimes equaled a second full-time job.

    Under Shea’s leadership, the foundation has grown from seven founding companies to nearly 250 member organizations, awarded nearly $700,000 in scholarships, accredited eight collegiate geospatial certificate programs, and expanded the GEOINT Symposium from a fledgling event into the largest annual gathering of intelligence professionals, numbering more than 4,000 attendees annually.

    “Stu is a valuable asset to the entire Intelligence Community, but particularly the GEOINT Community,” said USGIF Chief Operating Officer Aimee McGranahan. “I’ve been a part of USGIF since the beginning, and it has been an honor every day to be a part of the Foundation’s success under his leadership. Stu’s ability to make decisions and set direction, as well as his enthusiasm and passion for national security, has driven the organization to accomplish many successes. It was these same characteristics the board carefully sought when making the decision to elect Jeff as Stu’s successor.”

    Former director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and undersecretary of the U.S. Air Force, Jeffrey K. Harris has contributed to U.S. national security in both government and industry for 35 years. He has fostered new technologies, programs, and capabilities that have contributed significantly toward keeping our nation secure.

    Harris is retired from Lockheed Martin, where he was a corporate officer and served as president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space, as well as president of Lockheed Martin Special Programs. Prior, he served as president of Space Imaging, the first company to provide commercial high-resolution satellite imagery.

    Before entering the private sector, Harris served in federal leadership positions, including Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space, director of the NRO, and associate executive director of the Intelligence Community Management Staff. In all of these capacities, he provided direct support to both the Secretary of Defense and the Director of Central Intelligence.
    Harris has received numerous awards, most notably the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the CIA Distinguished Service Medal, the NRO Medal for Distinguished Service, Aviation Week’s Laureate Citation, and the James V. Hartinger Award for military space achievement. He was also the 2006 recipient of USGIF’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

    USGIF is a nonprofit educational foundation dedicated to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and developing a stronger GEOINT Community with government, industry, academia, professional organizations, and individuals who apply geospatial intelligence to address national security challenges. USGIF’s mission is to build the community, advance the tradecraft, and accelerate innovation. The GEOINT Symposium is hosted annually by USGIF.

  • Report from GEOINT: The Search for Malaysia Flight 370

    Day One Coverage

    Today I attended the “GEOINT Forward” which is a pre-conference day consisting of over a dozen loosely related sessions. If there was a common theme it would have to be the increasing evolution of the GEOINT community toward Human Geography, Social Media, Big Data, Small Satellites and Chaos Management.

    A most interesting keynote speaker was Dave Snowden (no relation to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden) founder and chief scientific officer of Cognitive Edge working to analyze complex issues relating to strategy and organizational  decision making.  He pioneered a science based analysis of organizations drawing on anthropology, neuroscience and complex adaptive systems theory.  The key analysis tool they created  is SensesMaker, a survey tool that extracts and organizes how respondents make sense of the world through micro-narratives in social settings.  Using a patented method the respondent interprets their own story into a series of abstract constructs that feel more like a game than a survey, but allows profound meaning to emerge. This interpretation adds layers of meaning rather than simply interpreting the story and provides quantitative data which can always be linked back to the original material.

    There were several sessions related to Chaos Management of disasters both natural and man-made. Dr. Shay Har-Noy of Digital Globe demonstrated TomNod (www.tomnod.com/nod/) which is a crowd sourcing effort of Digital Globe in which the public has access to thousands of images so that millions of eyes could help scour the imagery looking for signs of the missing aircraft. Once potential sites were indentified, experts could then focus their attention on the sites.  Here is a short video clip of some examples.  (Excuse the quality of the video, the room was dark, sound system poor and the built-in microphone less than ideal)

  • LizardTech to Showcase Express Server at the GEOINT

    GeoExpress Previewer with Infrared.
    GeoExpress Previewer with Infrared.

    LizardTech will conduct defense-oriented demonstrations of its recently launched Express Server software product next week at the GEOINT 2013* Symposium in booth number 4079. The symposium will take place April 14 – 17 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. LizardTech is a provider of software solutions for managing and distributing geospatial content.

    Express Server is image-delivery software for compressed raster imagery, including multispectral imagery. The latest version includes the ExpressZip web application for browsing, finding, and exporting imagery straight from the web browser. Users can view all of their collections and query by location, by keyword, by projection, and more. If users need to take their imagery on the go, they can use the built-in selection tools to export regions of interest. The ExpressZip application is open source and customizable.

    “We look forward to sharing Express Server 9 with the intelligence community at GEOINT next week,” said Jon Skiffington, director of product management at LizardTech. “Most LizardTech users know MrSID and how it can be used to drastically reduce image sizes while retaining visual quality. What they may not be aware of is that  Express Server is the fastest, easiest, and most stable way to distribute compressed, high-resolution raster imagery via standard protocols. And now with ExpressZip, our customers will be able to access all of their collections in one place and export imagery straight from the web browser.”

    LizardTech will also showcase its GeoExpress software for compressing and manipulating satellite and aerial imagery, and its LiDAR Compressor software, which turns giant point cloud datasets into efficient MrSID files.