got geoint?

Many of us certainly embrace the true benefits of light detection and ranging (LIDAR). It is a true game-changer that provides coverage down to inch-level fidelity, detects small particles in the atmosphere and allows for effective wide-area terrain mapping. Today, Defense Systems ran in-depth article on LIDAR that absolutely shines a light on how this innovation is changing the way we support the warfighter from a GEOINT perspective.

As the article points out the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has been deploying LIDAR in Afghanistan. It also discusses the announcement of the ALIRT LIDAR project by Lt. Gen. John C. Koziol, U.S. Air Force, deputy undersecretary of defense (intelligence) for joint and coalition warfighter support; director, Department of Defense, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Task Force, at GEOINT 2010 in New Orleans:

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has been deploying LIDAR in aircraft to map Afghanistan’s entire 647,500 square kilometers. In announcing the ALIRT LIDAR project at the GEOINT 2010 Symposium, Air Force Lt. Gen. John Koziol, director of the Defense Department’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Task Force, heralded the technology’s “amazing capacities” for coverage down to inch-level fidelity.

At that time, a sole Air Force G-3 Gulfstream was involved in NGA’s Afghanistan mapping operation, Koziol said. The total number of aircraft ultimately deployed — and nearly the entire program — is classified. But NGA describes its ALIRT LIDAR program as “an airborne 3-D imaging laser radar system optimized for wide-area terrain mapping.” LIDAR mapping was used in the aftermath of Haiti’s 2010 earthquake.

What’s more LIDAR is “so sensitive it’s now possible to make range measurements with fewer than 10 photons received, versus tens of thousands,” as highlighted by Regina Dugan, Director of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Director (DARPA). This means that LIDAR can detect hidden objects and penetrate tree canopies. Be sure to check out Director Dugan’s keynote address from GEOINT 2009 here.

Finally, the article points out the benefits of LIDAR from an NGA imagery scientist’s perspective:

An NGA imagery scientist, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, said that depending on the mission, LIDAR sensors are “bathymetric, topographic and atmospheric…and gather topographic data using different regions of the spectrum.” The resulting data is used to automatically generate high-resolution 3-D digital terrain and elevation models. Overall, the scientist said, LIDAR elevation data supports improved battlefield visualization, line-of-sight analysis and urban warfare planning.

It is certainly exciting to see major defense trade publications like Defense Systems showcasing a key GEOINT
innovation like LIDAR. You can read the full article here.

Tags: GEOINT, GEOINT 2010, got geoint?, John C. Koziol, LIDAR, LIDAR and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Light Detection and Ranging, Regina Dugan