issn 2277 – 3126 rni no. upeng/2011/37063 100 us$ 10 · 2016. 5. 18. · issn 2277 – 3126 rni...
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ISSN 2277 – 3126 RNI NO. UPENG/2011/37063 ` 100 US$ 10
Vol. 2 Issue. 3 May – JUN 2012
Credible Geospatial InfrastructureInfrastructure
ALL IN ONE PACKAGE TO RULE YOUR GEOSPATIAL WORKFLOW
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Spend less time trying to connect your data and focus on what you want to achieve with it.
www.intergraph.com/geospatial
Intergraph, GeoMedia, ERDAS IMAGINE, and the Intergraph logo are registered trademarks of Intergraph Corporation. © 2012 Intergraph Corporation.
TOGETHER AT LASTImage Processing and GIS
Chairman MP NarayananPublisher Sanjay KumarManaging Editor Lt Gen AKS Chandele (Retd)Executive Editor Bhanu RekhaProduct Manager Shivani LalAssistant Editors Aditi Bhan, Deepali Roy, Vaibhav AroraSub-Editor Anand KashyapDesigned by Deepak KumarManoj Kumar SinghCirculation Executive Vijay Kumar Singh
Owner, Publisher & Printer Sanjay Kumar Printed at M. P. Printers, B - 220, Phase-II, Noida - 201 301, Gautam Budh Nagar (UP) India Publication Address A - 92, Sector - 52, Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida, India Editor Sanjay Kumar
Price `100, US$ 10
Geospatial Media and Communications Pvt. Ltd.(formerly GIS Development Pvt. Ltd.)A - 145, Sector - 63, Noida, IndiaTel + 91 120 4612500 Fax + 91 120 4612555/666
Geospatial Media and Communications Pvt. Ltd. does not necessarily subscribe to the views expressed in the publication. All views expressed in this issue are those of the contributors. The publication is not responsible for any loss to anyone due to the information provided.
Insi
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REGULAR SECTIONS
Editorial................................................ 05
News..................................................... 06
Events................................................... 33
Image Intelligence .......................... 42
Guest Articles
Evolving a common framework for GIS 16With more and more organisations realising the potential of geospatial technology, the need is to build common standards to ensure interoperability between their datasets
Collaborative approach to common geoinfrastructure 21The concept of Network-Centric Warfare (NCW) is based on the assumption of collaborative approach among both military and non-military allies involved in an operation. When implemented, NCW can drastically improve a force’s ability to quickly, effi ciently and effectively adapt to a dynamic environment
The technological leap 28With the launch of Sputnik -1, mankind started looking at space as an avenue for military supremacy. With more and more countries joining the space race and developing their own GNSS or augmentation systems, space is likely to hold the key for future battles.
The Border warriors 34The Border Security Force (BSF) is one of the central armed police forces under the Administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Its primary role is to guard India’s international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh during peacetime and also prevent trans-national crime. Of late, BSF is employing geospatial technology for effective border managementg
Joerg F HerrmannSenior Strategy ManagerAstrium GmbH
38
J F H
Interviews
Keith MasbackPresident, USGIF
24
THEME
BUILDING Credible GeospatialInfrastructure
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jan – feb 2011 GEOINTELLIGENCE I 4
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NEWS • VIEWS • REVIEWS • INTERVIEWS • NEWS • VIEWS • REVIEWS • INTERVIEWS • NEWS • VIEWS • REVIEWS • INTERVIEWS • NEWS • VIEWS• VIEWS • REVIEWS • INTERVIEWS • NEWS • VIEWS • REVIEWS •
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he last few decades have witnessed the transformation of armed forces across the globe driven by the Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). Technological developments, particularly in IT and communications, have led to the evolution of the concept of Network Centric Warfare (NCW), characterised by exponentially enhanced situational awarenesss, decision making, dissemination of information
and precision strike capability. Commanders who employ these capabilities innovatively, with appropriate combat elements, achieve success at a fast tempo and least cost.
Geospatial data is a critical requirement for defence and security operations due to the need of reliable and real-time information integrated with spatial data. Our defence and security forces, faced with a variety of ever increasing internal and external threats, are undertaking rapid modernisation. Creation of a credible GIS infrastructure poses numerous challenges including that of standards, interoperability, security, scalability and sustainability which need to be overcome. GIS must address these key requirements. Integration of ISR with time and space contextualisation is necessary. NCW requires an infrastructure that is accessible across the strategic and tactical continuum; spatial information must fl ow from battle space deployed sensors to the warfi ghter across challenging network environments. Communication networks must be fully secure and robust with adequate redundancy, while keeping bandwith requirement minimal.
A wide variety of platforms need to be integrated, including embedded software and devices in sensors to the servers and hand held computers and embedded systems in weapon platforms. Weapon systems currently in service and those being inducted are mostly imported where full design details are not available, which increases the complexity of the problem. Integration amongst the three defence services and other security organisations is another issue.
Unlike wars of the past, our armed forces are more likely to be employed in non-conventional confl icts, involving frequent regrouping of combat elements. GIS infrastructure should be designed to adapt to these changes and support forces operating in remote areas with under developed infrastructure such as our coastal and mountainous regions and our island territories. Systems should be so designed that they are capable of absorbing future technologies and also be able to serve an ever increasing client base. To ensure optimal deployment and utilisation, the cost, complexity and development time of these systems are important considerations.
It is an established fact that GIS enabled decision support systems, integrated with sensors and weapon platforms, are essential to combat both external and internal threats. Our armed forces need to proactively engage with industry and research organisations to understand the complexities involved in creating this strategic tool. Technological superiority will be a decisive factor in future warfare and it is imperative that we build the necessary capabilities to achieve full spectrum dominance.
Edit
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lhe last few decades have witnessed the transformation of armed forces
( )
GIS : Driving revolution in military affairsGIS : Driving revolution in military affairs
Lt Gen AKS Chandele PVSM, AVSM (Retd)Managing Editor
GeoEye, Inc. announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner with Rolta. With this new partnership, Rolta gains access to GeoEye's high-resolution satellite imagery, services and expertise to develop innovative geospatial products and services. Rolta plans to offer these GeoEye-enabled solutions to its customers across high-growth global markets, beginning with India.
According to the company, Rolta is exploring opportunities to leverage GeoEye's imagery service and predictive analytics' expertise to develop defence and homeland security solutions
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India's fi rst indigenous Radar Imaging Satellite launched
The Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO, successfully launched the country's fi rst Radar Imaging Satellite RISAT-1 recently. ISRO Chief K Radhakrishnan described the launch a grand success. "The PSLV C-19 mission is a grand success. This is the 20th successful fl ight of our PSLV and it injected precisely India's fi rst Radar
Imaging Satellite into the desired orbit” he said. It took ten years for ISRO to build this remote sensing satellite, which is fi tted with radar imaging apertures, and involves a very complex technology. RISAT-1, the heaviest remote sensing satellite weighing 1,858 kilograms, can take pictures of the earth at all times through rain, sun, clouds, fog and cyclones. The data generated by RISAT-1 will be used in agriculture and disaster management.
served from its geospatial fusion platform to help users see, understand and anticipate change when lives are at risk.
Rolta also plans to develop intelligent 3-D city solutions for commercial users in urban planning, construction and infrastructure development. Ninety per cent of the fastest-growing metropolitan economies are located outside North America and Western Europe and in regions such as Southern Asia. Rolta intends to offer these high-growth global markets fi nancially accessible 3-D model solutions developed from GeoEye satellite imagery.
GeoEye and Rolta form
strategic partnership
India successfully launches AGNI-V
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Setting a new milestone in the country’s Integrated Missile Development Programme, India’s maiden Long Range Ballistic Missile (LRBM) AGNI-V (A-5) was successfully tested recently.
The surface-to-surface nuclear capable missile can strike a target more than 5,000 km away. With this launch, India has joined an elite missile club of countries comprising the US, France, Russia and China, which can produce inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
A number of new technologies developed indigenously were successfully tested in this A-5 Mission. The redundant navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and the most modern and accurate Micro Navigation System (MINS) ensured the missile reach the target point within few meters of accuracy. The high speed onboard computer and fault tolerant software along with robust and reliable bus guided the missile fl awlessly.
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Elbit Systems Ltd. has been awarded an approximately USD 160 million contract to supply unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The systems will be supplied over the next two years.
Joseph Ackerman, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, said, “Technological advancement, a deep understanding of the customer's needs, and ongoing development processes enable us to adapt our UAS to the
Elbit Systems to supply UAS
EADS Cassidian creates ‘Cassidian CyberSecurity’
EADS Cassidian recently announced creation of a new dedicated business, Cassidian CyberSecurity, entirely devoted to addressing the fast-growing cyber security market across Europe and Middle East, with an initial focus on Germany, the United Kingdom and France. By gathering together all the cyber security expertise existing within the EADS Group, Cassidian CyberSecurity intends to establish itself as a key dedicated player in this market with substantial critical mass, said the company.
According to the company, Cassidian CyberSecurity’s portfolio of products and services is built upon three pillars:
> Cyber Defence and Professional Services, aimed at providing high-level professional services (such as attack analysis and
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gchanging requirements of the modern battlefi eld as well as logistic support,” adding, “More and more customers worldwide consider our UAS as the ultimate solution for their operational needs. This follows years of extensive operational experience accumulated in service with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), as well as additional world leading armed forces for their Air, Land and Special Forces.”
response, risk management, audits of security infrastructure architectures) and implementing operation centres dedicated to security supervision of Scada and IT systems. These security operation centres, enabling the provision of remote-operated cyber security services, will be based (initially) in the three launch countries of France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
> Trusted Infrastructure, for implementing national and European high-security trusted solutions and developing technologies (for example,
cryptography, digital identity management) in accordance with regulatory and national sovereignty requirements.
> Secure Mobility, to provide next generation security products and services for industry and governments in the form of mobile equipment (voice, data, applications) and deployable communication nodes.
The cyber security sector is experiencing a dramatic rise in the number and level of sophistication of threats, covering attacks from nation states, through to terrorist groups, “hacktivists”, criminal gangs and more conventional hackers. In 2010, this market was estimated at 50 billion euros. In order to support its ramp-up, Cassidian CyberSecurity will be creating a cyber training centre. The need for highly qualifi ed experts in this fi eld is growing rapidly and Cassidian CyberSecurity aims to attract this young talent and improve their level of expertise, said the company. This growth strategy will also encompass strategic acquisitions to obtain new skills, secure key sovereign technologies in Europe and achieve critical mass in the European market. The aim is to reach sales of above 500 million euros by 2017, added the company. A dedicated R&D effort will underpin the new organisation and 20 per cent of the company’s planned investment will be devoted to R&D.
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Aerial survey company Bluesky has launched its fast response aerial survey service using state-of-the-art unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones. The technology includes artifi cial intelligence (AI) guided autopilot, high resolution integrated camera and environmentally friendly rechargeable propulsion system. Autonomous take-off and landing ensures the system is easy to use; and with a wingspan of less than a metre, it can be easily transported without the need for a complex assembly, said the company.
"The integrated camera captures high resolution photogrammetric images that can be used to create map accurate aerial survey data including height models. The system is compact and lightweight making it easy to store and transport and can be launched by hand from virtually any location. Flight planning software and an AI guided autopilot make it easy to control and the system will gently and safely return to the ground with a single touch of a button," said James Eddy, Technical Director at Leicestershire based Bluesky. Potential applications of Bluesky's UAV solution include open cast mines or quarries or even landfi ll sites where large volumes of material are extracted or moved on a regular basis, added the company.
Bluesky launches drones for aerial surveying
Raytheon awarded UK MOD Paveway IV replenishment contract
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded Raytheon UK a replenishment contract for Paveway IV, the latest generation
GPS precision-guided munition, as part of GBP 60 million contract. Raytheon UK is focused on a technological growth path which, under the UK MOD's SPEAR (Selective Precision Effects at Range) CAP 1 programme, will enhance the system's capability
with low collateral and penetrator warhead options, enhanced moving target capability and enhanced range.
Raytheon is also under contract to integrate Paveway IV for the UK onto the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
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Boeing to upgrade B-1 navigation system for US Air Force
General Dynamics to acquire IPWireless, Inc.
General Dynamics recently announced that it has executed a defi nitive agreement to acquire IPW Holdings, Inc., the parent company of IPWireless, Inc., a provider of 3G and 4G LTE wireless broadband network equipment and solutions for fi rst-responder and military customers. The value of the cash transaction has not been disclosed.
The acquisition has been approved by the board of directors of both the companies and is subject to normal regulatory review. General Dynamics expects the transaction to be completed in the third quarter of 2012. IPWireless produces wireless-network components, user devices and end-to-end systems that enable fi rst-responders and
other mobile users to access lifesaving data and applications at very high speeds, making tools such as real-time fi ngerprint identifi cation and high-resolution video readily available. Built on commercial networking standards, IPWireless' products improve fi rst responders' effectiveness and safety by providing them with greater access to information, according to the company.
The company's 700 MHz LTE (Long Term Evolution) products and mobile broadcast solutions are intended to meet the emerging requirements of the nationwide interoperable broadband network required in the recently enacted Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. That network is envisioned to provide municipal agencies with priority access to services such as mobile fi eld reporting and photo and crime databases, for improved law enforcement and offi cer safety.
When the transaction is completed,
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IPWireless will be renamed General Dynamics Broadband and will operate as a subsidiary of General Dynamics C4 Systems.
BAE Systems unveils cross domain security solutions
At the Department of Defense Intelligence Information Systems Worldwide 2012 Conference, BAE Systems announced introduction of two new capabilities designed to safeguard the most sensitive information.
The fi rst product, XTS Guard 5, is BAE Systems’ revolutionary new cross domain solution designed to protect the transfer of information between government networks. The other product is an advanced prototype of its Secure Information Broker Application (SIBA). SIBA is a ‘Big Data’ cross domain solution that allows users to easily share select information within a fi le, said the company.
XTS Guard 5 BAE Systems’ new XTS Guard 5 is a multi-enclave cross domain solution for enterprise, coalition and tactical use. It provides superior value compared to solutions that are bi-directional and offers limited fi le type support, said the company. Also, XTS Guard 5 supports Extensible Markup Language (XML), email (SMTP), and fi le transfer capabilities. As an added advantage, XTS Guard customers need only purchase licenses for support of the data types their missions require.
XTS Guard 5 features a wealth of enterprise capabilities built in accordance with the emerging National Security Agency (NSA)-based guard standards. The new XTS architecture enables, for the future, cost-effective guarding of chat, imagery, and streaming video and voice data. Supporting up to 22 enclaves in standard hardware and multiple fi le type transfer capabilities in a single appliance, users can leverage XTS Guard 5 for
NEWS
Boeing has received a USD55.3 million production contract from the US Air Force to upgrade the B-1 Lancer navigation system. The upgrade will replace the original navigation hardware with a new ring laser gyro system.
"We are no longer using a spinning mass gyro," said Rick Greenwell, B-1 programme director for Boeing. "The new inertial navigation system uses a ring laser gyro with no moving parts to wear out and repair. This upgrade will dramatically increase system reliability."
Under the three-and-a-half year contract, Boeing will deliver hardware modifi cation kits and perform retrofi ts at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, and Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, S.D. Initial aircraft modifi cation is scheduled to begin in January 2013 and would be completed by mid-2015.
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its high performance; its ability to support Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) considerations; and its value in consolidating data center operations. XTS Guard 5 runs on BAE Systems STOP OS, the class-leading high-security operating system already supporting multiple Unifi ed Cross Domain Management Offi ce (UCDMO)-approved solutions. XTS Guard 5 is expected to be listed on the UCDMO baseline by year-end, given high interest from multiple customers and an identifi ed sponsor, added the company.
SIBASIBA is an upcoming XTS capability that provides intelligence analysts and consumers with ground-breaking granular access control for information sharing, said the company. SIBA features familiar Microsoft Offi ce and Sharepoint interfaces, and is secured by BAE Systems’ STOP OS product. It allows users to tag sensitive data within a fi le, so that only users with the appropriate credentials may access it. SIBA is designed to support ‘Big Data’ initiatives, and will be available at a far lower cost than the relational database-based solutions presently on the UCDMO Baseline, said the company.
DARPA awards power amplifi er development contract
Rockwell Collins has been awarded USD 7.8 million contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a highly effi cient power amplifi er that will signifi cantly reduce the power consumption of military communications equipment.
“This amplifi er will enable radios to transmit complex waveforms, such as the Wideband Networking Waveform, and commercial waveforms such as 4-GLTE, with more than 75 per cent power effi ciency as compared to 50 per
Lockheed Martin recently announced that it has successfully mated the spacecraft bus and the imaging payload for GeoEye's next-generation, high-resolution imaging satellite, known as GeoEye-2. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company is developing GeoEye-2 under a fi xed-price contract with GeoEye. Once operational, GeoEye-2 will be the world’s highest resolution commercial satellite, providing highly accurate imagery to intelligence analysts, war fi ghters, and decisions makers across the globe, said the company. Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services will launch GeoEye-2 aboard an Atlas V rocket in 2013. The GeoEye-2 bus is the structural foundation of the satellite. It includes an integrated propulsion system as well as other critical subsystems for communications, attitude control, thermal control, command and data handling.
The imaging payload for GeoEye-2 includes a telescope, sensor subsystem and outer barrel assembly. It has the potential to capture panchromatic ground sample distance imagery of the Earth's surface at 0.34-meter, or 13.38-inch, ground resolution from an altitude of 681 km According to the company, the GeoEye-2 satellite will feature enhanced tasking capabilities, superior image quality and the ability to collect more imagery at a faster rate with a new ITT Exelis imaging system.
Lockheed Martin completes key integration milestone on GeoEye-2
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NEWS
Boeing received USD 12.5 million contract from US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for 1,116 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (Laser JDAM) sensors. This is NAVAIR's third Low Rate Initial Production order for its Direct Attack Moving Target Capability (DAMTC). It follows a USD 8.3 million NAVAIR order for 700 laser sensors in January that allows the US Air Force to maintain its Laser JDAM combat inventory levels.
JDAM is a low-cost guidance kit that converts existing
unguided free-fall bombs into near precision-guided weapons. Laser JDAMs have added the capability to prosecute moving targets, maritime threats and other relocatable targets of opportunity.
According to the company, the JDAM kit has been designed to be modular so that the product can mature with a variety of other technological upgrades, such as wing kits that triple its range, improved immunity to GPS jamming, and an all-weather radar sensor.
cent today,” said John Borghese, Vice President of the Rockwell Collins Advanced Technology Center. “This new capability will improve warfi ghter effectiveness by allowing access to networked real-time data, video and voice information without the weight burden of more batteries or equipment.”
The Microscale Power Conversion (MPC) programme contract, which runs through 2014, calls for Rockwell Collins to conduct research and develop innovative solutions to create a high linearity radio frequency transmitter capable of very wide bandwidth amplitude modulation with a minimum of wasted energy. Rockwell Collins’ objective is to demonstrate a system-in-package module that integrates the power amplifi er with a dynamic power supply and controller circuit. This new, low-cost capability will further enable broadband networked connectivity to the edge of the battlespace, said the company.
DCS-Millennium JV selected for US Army
DCS-Millennium LLC, a joint venture between DCS Corp and Millennium Corporation, has been selected as one of the six prime contractors by the US Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM) Communications Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) to provide engineering support and technology assistance. The Warrior Enabling Broad Sensor (WEBS) support contract, totalling USD 1.78B, will provide sensor technology engineering, administrative and operations support, fi eld technology assistance, test and evaluation, and engineering support and services for night vision and electronic sensors systems. WEBS is an ID/IQ multiple-award vehicle with a performance period of fi ve years.
DCS and Millennium formed the joint venture specifi cally to maintain DCS's long-standing relationship with US Army RDECOM CERDEC NVESD and pursue continued work under the WEBS contract vehicle.
DCS-Millennium LLC is eligible to bid on individual WEBS task orders to provide a signifi cant breadth of specialised sensor technology support. The primary organisations and technology areas supported under WEBS include each of the US Army RDECOM CERDEC NVESD Divisions, R&D, engineering, weapon system integration, infrastructure development and support, modelling and simulation, and purchased services across all US Army RDECOM CERDEC NVESD organisations.
DHS selects Lockheed Martin
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has selected Lockheed Martin to compete for future task orders through its new Tactical Communications (TACCOM) programme. Among 30 awardees, Lockheed Martin was one of the fi ve selected to compete for TACCOM tasks in all fi ve of the programme’s core areas. Through the indefi nite-delivery-indefi nite-quantity (IDIQ) programme, DHS will quickly procure vital tactical equipment engineering, operations and maintenance services, said the company. The agency will use the equipment to support reliable public safety communication for its missions at both the state and local levels. Contractors could be called upon to provide the equipment itself, or provide engineering services to ensure greater interoperability.
In addition to DHS, other federal agencies including the Departments of Interior, State, Justice, and the White House Communications Agency can use the TACCOM IDIQ contract vehicle to acquire the
Boeing receives additional
laser JDAM contract
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equipment and services they need, added the company. The two-year programme has three option years and a potential ceiling value of USD 3 billion for all awardees.
Special Operations Tactical Vehicle unveiled
Navistar Defense, LLC, Indigen Armor and SAIC recently unveiled the team's Special Operations Tactical Vehicle for the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) 1.1 programme. The Special Operations Tactical Vehicle is designed for maximum off-road speed and mobility for different types of terrain and incorporates a C4ISR suite. The Special Operations Tactical Vehicle chassis, suspension, powertrain and armoured occupant safety cell are engineered specifi cally to carry large payloads across rough landscapes in 3-man, 5-man and 7-man variants. The scalable armour packages meet multiple threat levels and accommodate a variety of low-profi le and overt tactical body styles which allow the vehicle's profi le to be changed at the crew level.
Navistar's world-class truck and engine integration capabilities and Indigen Armor's unique understanding of performance specifi cations are further strengthened by SAIC. The company will provide integrated logistics support in addition to a full C4ISR suite.
Elbit Systems' JV with Rockwell Collins to supply JHMCS
Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that its joint venture with Rockwell Collins, Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI), has received a new contract for the delivery of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) to The Boeing Company, for the US Navy and Air Force and Foreign Military Sales (FMS). The contract is worth more than USD
Boeing has completed the fi rst delivery of its tactical cross-domain technology, eXMeritus HardwareWall, to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) for integration into the Ground Control Station (GCS) of the Predator/Reaper Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV). The delivery is part of a contract from GA-ASI that includes additional deliveries of HardwareWall and associated information assurance and engineering support.
According to the company, eXMeritus HardwareWall improves the ability of intelligence analysts and warfi ghters to securely access videos and imagery from the MQ-1Predator and MQ-9 Reaper.
The contract is part of the US Air Force’s GCS Modernisation Programme. Predator and Reaper provide tactical and strategic intelligence to operational commanders worldwide.
The cross-domain capability is based on technology from Boeing eXMeritus HardwareWall that enables the secure transfer of information among networks operating at different security levels. eXMeritus HardwareWall is one of only a select number of technologies listed on the Unifi ed Cross Domain Management Offi ce Baseline, a list of validated solutions already certifi ed and accredited by sponsoring agencies, the company adds.
Boeing Intelligence Systems Group provides the subject matter expertise, technical excellence, and operational experience required to support the horizontal integration of the US Intelligence Community by providing services and support for global situational awareness, content management and knowledge capture. Boeing's solutions support the seamless integration of military and intelligence missions via the use of open standards and commercial technology, said the company.
Tactical cross-domain capabilities for Predator/ Reaper RPV
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The second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-2) military communication satellite, built by a Lockheed Martin team for the US Air Force, was successfully launched recently from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket.
AEHF will also serve international partners including Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
A single AEHF satellite provides greater total capacity than the entire fi ve-satellite Milstar constellation, said the company. Individual user data rates will be increased fi ve-fold, permitting transmission of tactical military communications, such as real-time video, battlefi eld maps and targeting data. In addition to its tactical mission, AEHF provides the critical survivable, protected and endurable communications links to national leaders.
The AEHF team includes the US Air Force Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate at the Space and Missile
Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, California, is the AEHF prime contractor, space and ground segments provider as well as system integrator, with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, California, as the payload provider.
Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide four AEHF satellites and the Mission Control Segment.
AEHF-2 military communication satellite launched successfully
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handheld platform developed by a subcontractor, the BBN team is collaborating on adaptations so that troops have greater protection when they are outside their bases or vehicles.
> Automatic archiving - BBN is developing methods that will automatically archive the collected data and make it searchable and retrievable so that troops can review events that may have been missed, analyse events after the fact or send information on events of interest to analysts.
32 million and the deliveries will commence this year and continue through 2013.
Raytheon BBN Technologies to extend force protection
Raytheon BBN Technologies has been awarded USD 1.9 million by the US Air Force Research Laboratory under the Force Protection programme. BBN is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raytheon Company. BBN will develop a platform to extend the reach of force protection kits (networks of sensors) particularly for mobile and dismounted troops, who are especially vulnerable. BBN's goal is to enhance force protection kit performance in a number of ways:
> Beyond line-of-sight access to sensors - BBN is developing technologies that will enable force protection kits to use sensors that are beyond their immediate line-of-sight, giving troops on patrol and commanders outside the immediate reach of the force, access to data from more distant sensors.
> Untethered operation - Using a
> Video support - Automatic archiving, tagging, retrieval and search will be applied to video as well as to traditional text and image data to provide full access to critical information in all formats.
> Information ferrying - Because sending information by satellite may be too slow and relaying it by courier is both slow and dangerous, the new platform will support information ferrying to and from remote locations via unmanned aerial vehicles.
BAE Systems to upgrade EW capabilities on Saudi fi ghter jets
BAE Systems has announced a new contract worth over GBP 224m, under which the company will upgrade Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems on F-15S fi ghter jets for the Royal Saudi Air Force.
As part of the contract, BAE Systems
will upgrade 70 state-of-the-art Digital Electronic Warfare Systems (DEWS) / Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) onboard F-15S fi ghter jets.
According to the company, the integrated digital electronic warfare system provides fi ghter jets with advanced radar warning and countermeasure capabilities, and protects aircraft with improved situational awareness, offensive targeting support and self-protection.
BAE Systems will deliver the DEWS/CMWS system to Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Georgia under a Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The work is scheduled to be completed by November 2018.
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Data Infrastructure
eographical Information System (GIS) has become an integral part of the information infrastructure
in organisations. Its integration capability across various disciplines helps organisations to share, coordinate and communicate information. Thus, the use of GIS enhances decision-making, improves analysis and provides better service internally as well as GE
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externally for organisations. The progress in IT is due to the fact that common standards have been outlined by the IT community. Organisations are required to follow these standards for ensuring interoperability among various platforms or software modules and enable a seamless fl ow of data among different technology products. Interoperability and standards in GIS have made progress but a lot needs to be done in this domain of the IT industry.
Need for an interoperable GISIncreasing number of geodata producers and users in GIS community have expressed the need for the integration of geodata from distributed information sources and for interoperable geographic information systems. The systems that own this data must be capable of interoperating with systems around them, in order to make access to this data feasible. The system should also deal with
Evolving a common framework for GIS
<< With more and more organisations
realising the potential of
geospatialtechnology,
the need is to build common
standards to ensure interoperability
between their datasets >>
<< With more and more organisations
realising the potential of
geospatialtechnology,
the need is to build common
standards to ensure interoperability
between their datasets >>
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issues unique to geospatial data. In this kind of environment, the interoperable organisations will be visible, usable and user focused, whilst still maintaining their own unique branding.
In recent years, a large number of diverse, distributed and heterogeneous information sources (databases, knowledge bases, collection of documents, etc), have become available on the Net. The exchange of information has become a crucial factor in today’s world. Many activities in GIS user world involve different organisations required to work together and use existing information whenever possible, in order to reach a common goal (Figure 1).
Very often, different users are interested in the same spatial object. But every organisation has a different view and a different understanding of that object, and accordingly they produce different datasets about the object. Some attributes in these datasets may be common to all organisations in user community, while some may be common to a few of them. Also, different organisations may use different terms for same dataset attributes (synonyms) or same term for different dataset attributes
(homonyms). This is a problem of semantic heterogeneity and can lead to interpretation confl icts during interchanging of geodata. These confl icts can be resolved only by human intervention. While such situation may be acceptable in case of small amount of data, the process can be very tedious and ineffective when it comes to a large amount of data (thousands of records). The process can be automated only if problems of semantic heterogeneity and interpretation confl icts are resolved. The realisation of interoperable systems is a complex process because of distributed data
sources and their heterogeneity. Heterogeneous information systems may be structural (schematic heterogeneity), semantic (data heterogeneity) and syntactic heterogeneity (database heterogeneity).
Structural heterogeneity means that different information systems store their data in different structures. Semantic heterogeneity considers the content of an information item and its meaning. Semantic confl icts among information systems occur whenever these systems do not use the same interpretation of the information. Syntactic heterogeneity means that various database systems use different query languages (SQL, OQL, etc). Semantic interoperability will lead to dramatic organisational gains in GIS user community. Integration of diverse information sources has various advantages:
>> Quality improvement of data due to availability of complete datasets.
>> Improvement in existing analysis methods.
>> Cost reduction due to the multiple uses of existing information sources.
Figure 2: Various levels of software architecture
Figure 1: Different users sharing existing information to achieve a common gaol
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>> Avoidance of redundant data and confl icts that can arise from redundancy.
Issues and challengesInteroperability has to be realised at various levels of software architecture (Figure 2). Starting from the lowest level, the network protocol level to the highest application level, two diverse GIS systems need to be compatible. Several methods/ technologies have been implemented to overcome data sharing issues - from using standard network protocols to using data mining tools to achieving compatibility up to database sharing - but application level data sharing remains an issue partially solved due to the propriety nature of data structure, thus leading to semantic heterogeneity.
The fi rst step towards achieving GIS interoperability involves the direct translation of geographic data from one vendor or standard fi le format to another. However, format translations can lead to information loss/ error induction. Alternatives that avoid this problem are usually more complex, like standards for spatial data interchange (such as Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) and Spatial Archive and Interchange Format (SAIF)). One very important strategy for interoperability is conversion of different data formats into common data structure. This kind of data structure is usually based on one of the existing GIS standards.
The Open GIS Consortium (OGC) specifi cation aims to solve the problem of heterogeneity at the spatial data modelling level. Thus, OpenGIS standard is considered to be a common data model to represent geodata at mediator level. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defi nes standards as “documented agreements containing technical specifi cations or other precise criteria to be used consistently as rules, guidelines or defi nitions
of characteristics, to ensure that materials, products, procedures and services are fi t for their purpose”. For geospatial purpose, standards are to facilitate data sharing and increase interoperability among automated geospatial information systems.
OGC is an association looking to defi ne a set of requirements, standards and specifi cations that will support GIS interoperability. The objective is technology that will enable an application developer to use any geodata and any geoprocessing function or process available on ‘the net’ within a single environment and a single workfl ow. But, data standardisation cannot solve the complete problem. The interoperability problem would cease to exist if every system always uses the same data model to represent the same information (identical names, structure and representations). OpenGIS standards will only partially solve this problem. There are several reasons why standardisation will not be a complete solution:
>> Constructing and maintaining a single, integrated standard data model is diffi cult considering the domain and application specifi c requirements of the user.
>> There will always be a requirement to communicate with information sources that do not conform to pre-defi ned data model standards (legacy systems).
>> Existing, legacy information sources have their own data models, and there is a need for data conversion from a domain model to a common model.
>> Standards will change but systems won’t change at the same pace.
A number of proven and well-established methods exist that allow heterogeneous data sources to communicate including federated databases and schema integration, object oriented approaches, data warehousing and mediators and ontologies (vocabulary). Mediator-based system is important for spatial data interoperability architecture. The architecture of mediator-based systems is constructed from an application layer, and large number of relatively autonomous information sources (heterogeneous data sources with wrappers), communicating with each other over a standard protocol.
A wrapper is a programme that is specifi c to every data source. Wrapper extracts a set of tuples from source fi le and performs translation in the data source format. The most important advantage is that data integration system allows users to focus on what they want rather than how to obtain what they want. As a result, it frees them from the responsibility of combining data collected from multiple sources, interacting with each source and fi nding the relevant sources, thus enabling them to use vast amount of heterogeneous information which can be pulled out of a reusable library of information resources.
In order to achieve interoperability, following presumptions should be fulfi lled as given by Levinsohn in 2005:
>> Simple - users need not understand all the details about data or their source system to
<< The interoperability problem would cease
to exist if every system always uses
the same data model to represent the same
information >>
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import and use them.
>> Transparent - complexities associated with data transfer should be hidden from users.
>> Open - interoperability should apply to all systems and data exchange format should be independent of the technology used.
>> Equal - systems are equal and autonomous.
>> Independence - systems to have exclusive right to control its information and information processing without centralised control.
>> Effective - data transfer should be reliable and the resultant data should be useful for the intended purpose.
>> Universal - all geospatial databases should be accessible.
>> Belonging - each system belongs to one institution, policy and culture and value viewpoint.
Any project for interoperability in GIS environment involves several prerequisites:
>> Cooperation between participants
>> Institutional willingness for realisation of interoperability.
>> Infrastructure for realisation of interoperability.
>> Communication protocols between participants should be defi ned.
>> Development of software tools for realisation of interoperability.
>> Local information sources must be adapted in order to work properly in new environment.
Interoperability using Standard Overlay SchemasThe total number of geodata providers in the GIS environment is indeterminable and unlimited. This implies the need for a fl exible
approach that can deal with the existing and the future geodata providers in interoperable systems. A standard model for spatial data is the fi rst step to approach the solution for schematic and syntactic heterogeneity (Figure 3).
Achievinginteroperability in Indian scenario Majority of geographical information systems in use in India are legacy systems with very little cross platform visibility. Unlike developed countries where syntactic/ semantic interoperability solutions are being implemented as per the OGC or other popular standards, in India, the fi rst level of compatibility, that is, network protocol level remains a major issue. Though work in this direction is going on, a lot needs to be done. Meanwhile, a few organisations have achieved success in developing their own GIS like ISRO and DRDO. Heterogeneity exists due to the fact that various ministries, central and state government departments, research organisations, various state/ district level programmes have implemented their own GIS based applications from different vendors in sectors like land, survey, irrigation, transport and health, to name a few. Recently, efforts have been made to create organisations to centrally monitor and enforce a policy for defi ning standards for development of such projects. Being a late starter, the limited and piecemeal development and deployment of GIS applications in our context is in fact a blessing in disguise. Since we are on the
threshold of a GIS revolution in our country, lessons can be learnt from the West. This will help us in planning well for the future. The approach, however, has to take care of the existing, currently being developed and futuristic projects. A suggested model for phased implementation of GIS application is shown in Figure 3.
The three stages are depicted as triangles 1, 2 and 3 with the same starting point and each denoting an implementation phase for achieving a unifi ed, fully integrated, interoperable, distributed GIS platform for the nation. Each stage, though starting at the same time, will diminish after a specifi ed time period. Only best practices and universally accepted solutions will be retained for the long term implementation phase (shown as common shaded area in green in the fi gure 3).
>> Stage 1. Short term implementation (up to 2-3 years) - This will require:-
• Defi ning a standard national network protocol, to which all the legacy GIS applications should conform.
• Standardising the output/ overlay schema (common data model).
• Vendors of the legacy systems can be tasked to modify their source code to suit the above requirement.
>> Stage 2. Mid term implementation (up to 5-6 years)- This will require:-
Figure 3: Suggested model for phased implementation of GIS application
<< Majority of geographical
information systems in use in India are
legacy systems with very little cross
platform visibility >>
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• All current projects, no matter at what stage of completion, need to be modifi ed to conform to the standard protocol and overlay schema as above.
• Wherever and as much as possible, source code be procured for future modifi cations. Participation of indigenous vendors needs to be encouraged.
• Concurrent utilisation of indigenous GIS solutions to include areas where already one or the other GIS is deployed.
>> Stage 3. Long term implementation (up to 10 years or beyond) - This is required to achieve:-
• Consolidation of indigenous GIS solution as a proven product after carrying out product upgradation several times during the exploitation period.
• Development of national standards.
• A multi-tiered, integrated GIS national network with application level seamless interoperability. This would enable a unifi ed, cost-effective, light weight, fast and accurate solution to all the stakeholders in public as well as private domain.
• Immediate constitution of a unifi ed statutory body
at national and regional levels with domain experts from academia, research organisations and industry.
>> Formation of a comprehensive policy on standards and practices. The policy so formed should be published in public domain.
>> Availability of trained human resource/ domain experts is a grey area which needs to be addressed immediately. Introduction of the following measures can help in building a strong HR base in the country:-
• Introduction of GIS as a compulsory subject in degree (engineering)/ B.Sc (computer science) courses with adequate credit.
• Full time GIS Masters programme in engineering colleges/ universities.
• Open source deployment of GIS platforms in school/ university labs as well as on UGC web portals giving exposure to students/ IT trained youth.
Conclusion
The need to be seen as ‘interoperable’ has become increasingly important for a wide range of organisations, including central and local governments. A large number of geodata producers and users have expressed the need for the integration of geodata from distributed information sources and for interoperable GI systems.
The measures as suggested above, when implemented and backed by statutory government bodies, academic institutions and the industry, shall see India on the global map as a leading nation in the fi eld of GIS, especially, considering the fact that India already has a place as one of the largest IT trained human resources in the world.
Col Navin MaggoChief Maintainability Engineer
Maintainability Advisory Group 3
Indian Army
References
• ARPA, ARPA I3 - Reference Architecture for the Intelligent Integration of Information, Prepared by the Program on Intelligence Integration of Information (I3), version 1.0.1.
• Bishr Y.A., Overcoming the Semantic and Other Barriers to GIS Interoperability, International Journal of Geographic Information Science, Vol. 12, No. 4, 1998.
• Open Geospatial Consortium, OpenGIS Simple Features Specifi cation For OLE/COM, 1999, http://www.opengis.org
• Sondheim M., Gardels K., Buehler K., GIS Interoperability, in Longley P., Goodchild M., Maguire D., Rhind D., (Eds.) Geographical Information Systems 1 Principles and Technical Issues, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1999.
• Stoimenov L., Mitrovic A., Djordjevic-Kajan S., Mitrovic D., Bridging objects and relations: a mediator for an OO front-end to RDBMSs, Information and Software Technology, Elsevier, 1999.
• Stoimenov L., Djordjevi -Kajan S., Stojanovi D., Integration of GIS Data Sources over the Internet Using Mediator and Wrapper Technology, MELECON 2000, Cyprus, 2000 (extracts from the internet).
NCW
ilitary operations, nowadays, are conducted in a dynamic and unpredictable environment.
The modern battlefi eld poses a complex spectrum of challenges for soldiers. The Three Block War concept aims at full-scale military action, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid within the space of three contiguous city
<< The concept of Network-Centric Warfare (NCW) is based on the assumption of collaborative approach among both military and non-military allies involved in an
operation. When implemented, NCW can drastically improve a force’s ability to quickly, effi ciently and effectively adapt to a dynamic environment >>
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blocks. A comprehensive approach aims at collaboration and sharing of information between all actors in complex situations. For instance, besides all military forces, the Afghanistan operation area includes governmental institutions, non-governmental organisations and industry. These parties have a greatest impact on the daily lives of the Afghan population. A comprehensive approach forces the military not only to be interoperable
within the defence forces but also with non-governmental organisations and industry.
Recent military operations, world over, have demonstrated that defence partners do not use the same, accurate and current geographical information in their weapon, C2, intelligence and logistic systems. In most cases, a complex conversion is needed to make data fi t for the purpose. Besides the lack
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of standards, an insight into what information and data are available, is still not commonly shared. If the Joint Common Operational Picture (JCOP) and Shared Situational Awareness (SSA) are not up-to-date and lack consistency, it can lead to collateral damage and fratricide. The strategic vision on Network Information Infrastructure (NII) points towards one information infrastructure centrally managed and capable of handling secure data transmission and exchange, and (secure) collaboration with military and non-military partners under all circumstances. The internet infrastructure may be used whenever possible and as far as security and continuity of services allow. Also, in order to meet the ambitions of the defence forces, the Strategic Vision on NII needs to address problems of interoperability, availability, sensor data analysis and storage, affordability and information security issues.
Importance of NCW
NCW can be considered as a new way of handling military situations in future. The concept of NCW closely relates to the term systems-of-systems, which can be defi ned as a collection of connected systems that process a result which no single system can achieve in isolation. While NCW is based on the modus operandi, the term
systems-of-systems is based on the systems needed to achieve it.
NCW is neither a system nor a capacity or capability. The NCW concept improves a force`s ability to quickly, effi ciently and effectively bear all its available assets to accomplish assigned missions. These capabilities result, in part, from the ability of a force to achieve a high degree of integration across a number of dimensions, to the ability to move information instead of people and material. The military effectiveness no longer depends on physical presence of soldiers, tanks, frigates or fi ghter planes. The precision and timely information to support target acquisition, and actions based on this information will be of decisive importance. The “how, when, what and with whom” military recourses operationally used, will be a much more dynamic process. The quality of supporting systems such as sensor- and communication networks is equally important as the quality of weapon systems.
NCW is also important for precision engagement and focused logistics. All these concepts are based on the assumption of integration (coordination and collaboration) of both military and non-military allies involved in an operation. The integration of these units is a central goal of the NCW concept. If the concept is used in the civil domain it may be called Network Centric Operations (NCO), and the term used in the commercial sector is Network Centric Enterprise (NCE).
The implementation of the concept will enable the armed
forces to conduct operations in an information age. It is
an evolutional and cyclic process without a clear start
or end. The automation and digitalisation of
operational decision-making processes can
be marked as a fi rst step towards NCW.
Geospatial information quality is crucial for the entire C4ISR chain and underlying processes that depend on correctly perceiving the military situation and creating a common picture for all. Credibility of this information is also an important aspect on which the commander can act. For example, if the commander perceives major uncertainties, he can act cautiously and execute plans to improve or develop better awareness. Sensors are extremely important to visualise and monitor the area of operation. Millions of sensors are already in the fi eld and the data generated is growing rapidly.
The conceptual objective of a spatial data infrastructure (SDI) is to create an environment in which all involved stakeholders can collaborate with each other and interact with the help of technology to better achieve their objectives. SDI covers technology (hardware, software and networks), data, standards, policy, processes, organisation and people. As noted, SDI has to serve large communities. Collaboration should be possible and it should improve utilisation of geospatial information. The interaction of geospatial information users, data end-users, suppliers and other value adding resources drive the development of a spatial data infrastructure (SDI), which aims to improve the decision making process.
Components of collaborativeengagement
Important components which play a crucial role in collaborative engagement for geoinfrastructure are as under:-
People - People are marked as an important element of SDI. They are, or can be aggregated into groups with or on basis of other elements of SDI including cooperation between organisations, social and technical
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factors and geospatial information fl ows. Partnerships, social systems and stakeholders’ different views infl uence the dynamic nature and characteristics of SDI. People are the key to transaction processing and decision-making. Users are important for the success of information systems. User-unfriendly interfaces and discipline-specifi c nature of metadata and clearinghouses are among the primary reasons for declining trend in the use of clearinghouse. Exploring intended users and the use of geospatial information before the actual system building may lead to more useful systems.
Data - Data provide content for SDI including the management and delivery of high quality metadata in online directories and portals. The discovery of spatial data is facilitated through metadata catalogues and portals that depend and rely on metadata. This implies that good data management and quality management are mandatory otherwise metadata may not be up-to-date, data cannot be discovered and the objectives of SDI cannot be achieved.
Standards - Standards are defi ned as collective agreements on technical aspects, data and organisation with interoperability and optimisation of the SDI as its goal. Standards ensure interoperability of data, datasets, technology, access mechanisms, processes and workfl ows. Standards can be applied at various levels within SDI. Data standards are required for quality, reference systems, models, data dictionaries, metadata, formats, etc. There are six levels of technical interoperability: network protocols, hardware and operating systems, spatial data, database management systems (DBMS), data models and semantics. The non-technical interoperability is identifi ed as more problematic as the impediments of sharing are known but solutions for solving the
impediments are not always easy to implement.
Access Networks - The access network component is critical from a technical perspective; it facilitates the use of data by people via distribution networks such as the internet, intranets or extranets. The component network may also be considered as a collection of nodes that exchange geospatial information. Each producer and user is a potential node in the network. They can be more or less intense and nodes can even be isolated. This could be an organisation which uses geospatial data but has no sharing mechanism in place with any other node(s). Links can be weakened due to the existing technological and/or non-technological barriers.
The barriers can act as a kind of impedance; if the impedance becomes too high, the link does not function. In contrast, the link will become stronger or the organisations (nodes) will become almost (virtually) one when measures are in place to enhance sharing and exchange of data. This is a situation that is being envisioned through SDI: SDI is a network of single entities but they behave as if they are one continuum. This way of describing the sub-national (or national) SDI allows characterising the stakeholders and their behaviour. It will make us understand them better, individually, as well as the impact of their behaviour on the whole network or parts thereof.
Policy - The component policy is critical for the development of SDI, and for the production, maintenance, access and application of standards and datasets in the SDI. Examples of policy aspects are licensing, funding, privacy, security, metadata and custodianship. Policy is important to guide change and to control authorisation and access. Stakeholders will only actively participate if there are certain
benefi ts for their organisation. Another aspect may be that there should not be a threatening situation for stakeholder by its implementation and they should be involved closely in developing supportive policy.
Conclusion
NCW is about gaining information quickly which ultimately leads to decision superiority and advantage. The NCW concept can only be successful if geospatial information is timely, accurate, precise and fi t for the purpose. Also, the networked perspective recognises people as important sensors of geospatial information. But sharing and collaboration needs an organisational change and a different mindset. Sharing benefi ts is not a problem but sharing the burden of failures, often leads to discussion. This organisational change and the way it is communicated and orchestrated are the key to successful implementation of the DSDI.
Brig A S Nagra (Retd)asnagra55gmail.comBrig A S Nagra (
<< The conceptual objective of SDI is to
create an environment in which all involved
stakeholders can collaborate with each
other to better achieve their objectives >>
Interview
time for universities to modify their curriculum. That said, our academic partners are incentivised to make sure that their students are able to fi nd work upon completion of their schooling. As university costs have increased drastically over time in the Unites States, both parents and students want a programme which enables them to quickly join the workforce. I think that’s what makes our GEOINT Certifi cate programme so attractive. We now have six schools accredited to award the certifi cate, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and many more schools are interested in the programme. The reason is that when students graduate with GEOINT Certifi cate, they can be employed by a company in our fi eld without any further educational requirements.
Q. You recently mentioned that USGIF will continue to increase the amount of scholarships awarded annually. What sort of student community are you targeting?
We have a very broad view of the idea of geospatial intelligence (geoint). For instance, if you are in one of our programmes, and you are taking some core courses, including a basic GIS course, a basic database management course, and a basic remote sensing course, and
InIntetervr iew
Raising the generationRaising the generationof geoint nativesof geoint natives
Q. We are living in an era where technology is maturing quickly. How are you ensuring that the training and tradecraft, which form the core of USGIF’s mission, are catching up with the technology?
Well, indeed technology is changing very rapidly and to a certain extent, it’s really driving us to build our ability to keep up with it. Hence, we are very keen to partner with colleges and universities as well as our member companies and organisations to discover best practices, training opportunities and understand how companies are solving their technological challenges. In turn, we strive to share those best practices across the community. Sometimes, of course, companies have proprietary information and we respect that. But wherever there’s a possibility to share, we would love to share the information for the benefi t of everyone; that’s at the heart of the idea of USGIF and our membership.
Q. But our universities aren’t the best places because they take lot of time to change their curriculum. It’s mainly the research institutions or projects which are at the forefront of technology...
I agree that it often takes some GEOI
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<< LBS, crowdsourcing may have been successful in generating interest among common man towards geospatial technology but geography as a subject is losing sheen, at least in the US, feels Keith Masback, President, US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation
(USGIF). In a tête-à-tête with GeoIntelligence, he tells us how the foundation is constantly evolving to stay relevant >>
you apply this knowledge to study epidemiology (which is inherently place- based) that’s geoint to us. Similarly, if you take these core courses and apply them to study the sub-saharan Africa, we consider that also as geoint. Our scholarships are open to people who are studying in any of these fi elds where they are taking the power of place and viewing what they are doing through the lens of contributing to the broader understanding and advancement of what we call geospatial intelligence.
Q. The power of place has never been as important as it is now. Your take.
I think the power of place is unique point in time because of the near ubiquitous nature of GPS, the broad availability of geospatial information, and the proliferation of tools like Google Earth and Microsoft Virtual Earth. This allows for unprecedented access and enhanced usability of all this data and information. As we like to say sometimes, we are now raising the fi rst generation of geoint natives; we ourselves are geoint immigrants. Most of our generation learnt on paper maps and compasses, and we learnt to navigate in a different era. So as this information becomes more ubiquitous, more available, more infused into everything
we do, it does enhance its power. If you look at the application development world, location based apps represent one of the leading areas for true profi tability in app development. So we see this as coming together of an ability to precisely locate oneself on the globe and to do that in the context of highly accurate, routinely refreshed geo-information. Also, now we are empowered as individuals to add layers upon that and customise it to our needs. I think that it allows all of us to interact with this information in our daily lives in a way that we really never could in the past.
Q. Geospatial industry’s origin lies in defence sector. But we are now witnessing a trend where the commercial sector is driving the growth in this industry, for example, LBS. Do you think this trend will help build greater collaboration between the two?
I think growth in location based services (LBS), in location intelligence (LI), is a wonderful thing and it’s a natural extension, just like other technologies which began in the United States at places like NASA, the Department of Defence, and the Intelligence Community, and then migrated out and became more commonly available. This is another very exciting opportunity. I would argue that in many ways the profi t motive that’s driving the location-based services, and the idea of location intelligence, is pushing the development of technologies and applications. As a foundation, we are very interested in mixing the streams and creating discussion between the LBS/LI community and defence and intelligence communities to let them learn from one another. That’s again one of the core values of USGIF - to get involved and help create a conversation where these two separate but realted worlds are brought together for their collective benefi t and advancement.
Q. We have often seen that forces operating in international territories or under the UN lack continuity in staffi ng. How do you think, under these circumstances, forces can maintain continuity in socio-cultural knowledge?
Institutionalising the idea of terrain is important. And understanding that there are things like history, culture, language and ethnicity, etc., related to that physical terrain is vitally important for the success of any mission. I am really hopeful that with ten years of war, certainly from the US perspective, we have raised a new generation of warriors who understand that counter-insurgency is about people and that they are the critical terrain. Having in-depth understanding about an area in which the forces operate or will operate, whether for humanitarian purposes, disaster relief, combat operations or peace-keeping operations, is essential; and that this depth of understanding is going to be demanded by policy-makers, leaders, and commanders at all levels. Talking about the US, after over ten years at war, there has been steady advancement in understanding how rotating units in and out of the theatre of operations can cause lack of continuity which adds risk to the mission. Over time in Iraq and Afghanistan, US and coalition forces devised procedures for analysts of departing units to exchange information with the units scheduled to relieve them. They were also providing that information in support of their home station training and preparation. Over time, they also developed tactics, techniques, and procedures to share the databases
of their C2 and intelligence systems, to ensure continuity of situational awareness. Obviously, the UN has the same set of problems, and I would argue that it is magnifi ed because in its case, it might be Indian forces leaving and French forces coming in. So, there’s a language barrier, a cultural barrier, and a technological barrier which together result in a signifi cant operational barrier between the forces that are all wearing blue helmets.
Q. How is crowdsourcing supplementing the geoint community or forces which are dealing with the combat and disaster situations?
Keith MasbackPresident, US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF)
Crowdsourcing is a critically important phenomenon. And to those of us in the business, we know that it has really been going on for a long time. Talking about geoint, I think, people have always sought an authoritative source of information. So they were conditioned to seek a logo or a stamp at the bottom of a map from a source they recognised and trusted. The fact that the product came from an authoritative source provided assurance that the information was adequate for safety of navigation, targeting and other missions. Even if there had been any other source providing more data about an area, people wouldn’t necessarily have trusted it.
However, I think, the post-earthquake operations in Haiti was a turning point. I would argue that the authoritative map in that situation was perhaps not the one that was produced by any government or formal international organisation but rather the one produced through Ushahidi platform. The updates they were getting dynamically from the fi eld, the text messages coming from the affected areas, the ability to be able to update the crowdsourced map and provide information about the gathering of people, and their updated status in terms of water, food and medical needs made a real difference. I think that’s the fi rst time when everyone began to believe that this was more than just a passing interest, and that crowd-based information in our domain would be an important way of doing business in future. Again, when it comes to things like safety of
navigation, there will always be the absolute need for an authoritative source, but I think there’s now room for a hybrid approach. It is an ability to blend crowdsourced information with the authoritative information, especially in electronic presentation, where we can use different colours or different sorts of articulation in one display. We now have a unique opportunity to take this emerging crowdsourced information, merge it with authoritative information, and have a new way of viewing geoint data and information.
Q. While many in defence circles are vouching for cloud, others are of the view that it may not be a safe bet. Your take.
People often talk about cloud in their casual conversation and they also talk about their nervousness about the cloud. Mind you, most of these people benefi t from cloud implementations daily at home, whether with Amazon, iTunes, gmail and the like. So then, they
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have actually been a cloud user for many years, and they still don’t necessarily understand it. Even in the defence and intelligence community, where there is a healthy skepticism of the idea of the cloud, I think it’s the same way. I would argue that we have been using a pseudo-cloud approach for some time in the defence and intelligence communities. But now as we talk about scaling this capability to deal with the idea of big data and putting massive amounts of data and information in the cloud, there’s a general belief in the defence and intelligence community that there will only be security in the development of multiple private, secure clouds.
This is a source of great debate because if you are creating private clouds, it is going to be somewhat antithetical to the very idea of sharing and openness, which we know is the key for us being successful. This debate is playing out right now in our community. I think the tension between the desire to keep our data and information safe, while also being open to share, is a healthy one and it is at the very core of the discussions surrounding IT consolidation and cloud implementation.
Q. Can you tell us about your partnership with NGA? What is in stock for USGIF in future?
I think our partnership with NGA has always been superb and under the current leadership of Director Tish Long, it continues to thrive. In parallel with maintaining our relationship with NGA, we are looking continually to broaden our set of partnerships. As NGA self-actualises in its role with regard to the broader NSG (National System for Geospatial Intelligence) and the ASG (Allied System for Geospatial Intelligence), USGIF must also continue to expand our reach. We must recognise the opportunity for broader partnerships across the entire community and make
<< We now have a unique opportunity to take the emerging crowdsourced
information, merge it with authoritative information,
and have a new way of viewing geoint data >>
sure that we have both bilateral relationships with members where it suits their needs and where we can assist them in moving forward, and an overarching partnership with the larger notion of the NSG and ASG to support that approach holistically. I really think that maturation, growth and expansion are the most important evolution that’s underway right now.
Q. The US has recently set up a cyber command. What’s the sort of engagement you have with them?
Some of us have coined the term cyber-location nexus. We see the tremendous importance of the physical layer in the cyber equation. I often run into people who suggest that cyber exists irrespective of physical boundaries. So, I challenge them to decribe that to me. They might respond by laying out a scenario where someone sitting in tribal area of Pakistan can access a server in South America to carry out an attack on a website that’s hosted in the US. And I would say, wow, that’s fascinating; you just described the entire scenario using location. Data and information exist in real servers in real buildings, and travel in real fi ber running through real dirt and under real oceans, and can be sent through real routers on spacecraft back down to real earth terminals, and so forth. So, there is recognition among those who really understand this that location is a critically important layer of the cyber operating environment. USGIF is trying to provide some
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I think it’s a tremendous opportunity and a logical next step in the professionalisation of the discipline. If you look at the history of people in the medical fi eld or an engineering fi eld, a very important milestone in their ability to come together as a profession was to have these professional certifi cations. That is going to be the most important thing that we will do over the next few years. By establishing clear standards and articulating the path forward for geoint professionals to gain the education, training and experience to meet those standards, we will be able to signifi cantly advance the geoint tradecraft.
Another concern of ours is that we see geography programmes at US universities closing. There are a number of ongoing efforts to revitalise science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in the United States, but bizarrely, geography has been left out. So, even though we are developing this wonderful technology, we are not training and educating people about how to further develop it and, more importantly, apply it. That’s something that USGIF will continue to work to address with our members and myriad partner organisations.
thought leadership to work with the government, industry and academia to foster the discussion about how we can maximise our ability to understand and characterise this cyber-location nexus.
Q. How has the perception of the government, industry and academia towards geoint changed over the years and how is USGIF envisaging its role in future to continue to stay relevant?
One of the things that we do really worry about is the ability to turn out students who are going to have the right background and depth of knowledge to put them on a productive path into the geoint profession. At present, we are working very closely on a collaborative effort with a number of peer organisations and with NGA to create a professional GEOINT certifi cation programme. The idea is to have several levels of certifi ed geoint professionals. At level one, you might have people with basic training of some sort whether it’s from a university, a military school, a corporate training programme or from the NGA College. After some defi ned set of experiences and further training, these professionals might then be able to apply for certifi cation at level two, and so on.
<< The profi t motive that’s driving the location-based
services and the idea of location intelligence, is
pushing the development of technologies and
applications >>
Promoting training and tradecraft is the core of USGIF’s mission. Events like the Allder Golf Classic have helped USGIF give out almost USD 500,000 in academic scholarships
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<< With the launch of Sputnik -1, mankind started looking at space as an avenue for military supremacy. With more and more countries joining the space race and developing their own GNSS and/ or augmentation systems, space is likely to hold the key for future battles. This article traces the history of navigation, salient features of GNSS and the Indian efforts to build an indigenous GNSS system >>
he history of navigation is perhaps as old as that of mankind. Sailors undertook great sea voyages
using primitive tools like cross-staff, dead-reckoning tools, astrolabe, etc. By 1300-1500 BC, magnetic compass became popular. However, these tools mostly depended on celestial bodies. They could determine the latitude with reasonable accuracy but for want of a fi xed prime meridian and accurate time source, longitude determination remained a nightmare for sailors. Thousands of sailors died in various sea voyages. If the sailors and captains survived, it was perhaps more due to their good fortune than their navigational tools and skills.
The situation did not change till the advent of John Harrison’s (1764 AD) chronometer (H4). It could determine time with an accuracy of seconds without getting affected by weather, gravity and sea conditions. This was followed by sextant and accurate magnetic compasses. Harrison’s chronometer perhaps gave the greatest impetus to navigation than any other tool.
Turn to twentieth century and the two world wars saw sea navigation as well as air navigation enter into an era of radio-navigation with the advent of LORAN, radio direction beacons and radars. With the launch of Sputnik, the era of satellites started; and satellite
navigation began with the launch of Transit S/C.
As it is well known, accuracy and stability of clocks is very important for navigation. The history of determination of time goes well beyond 3,500 BC. The fi rst accurate clock, as mentioned before, was the chronometer H4, and then with the advent of atomic clocks in late 20th century, the accuracy improved to nano seconds. And with the development of Optical Ion Traps clocks, the accuracies are expected to be better than 0.1 picoseconds.
The launch of Sputnik-1 (October 4, 1957) led to the race for supremacy in space, particularly the use of space for military purposes. US
Navy’s satellite ‘Transit’ paved the way for location determination using Doppler shift in the frequency. It also used dual frequency transmission to apply ionospheric corrections. Transit-1 S/C was also used to develop Earth’s gravitational model. Subsequently, positioning was done using ranging and then CDMA codes. The erstwhile USSR launched Tsikada. The newer satellites used atomic clocks.
In 1978, the efforts of several US government agencies were brought under Navstar programme, later named as GPS. Russians started work on building parallel constellation called GLONASS.
Navigation satellite constellation
GPS (1978) and GLONASS
TIMATION Developed in 1972 by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), TIMATION satellites were intended to provide time and frequency transfer. The third satellite acted as a GPS technology demonstrator.
TSIKADARussian four satellite civil navigation system.
TSYKLONFirst navigation satellite launched by Soviet Union in late 1967. The satellite is based on doppler technique similar to TRANSIT system.
SECOR (Sequential Collation of Range)SECOR was US Army’s satellite navigation and positioning system. Thirteen satellites were launched between 1964 and 1969.
SPUTNIK First artifi cial Satellite launched from Russia. Operated using doppler frequency shift to obtain position.
TRANSIT Operated in 100 MHz and 400 MHz frequency bands and allowed the user to determine his position by measuring the doppler shift of a radio signal transmitted by the satellite. When a man moves from one place to another, 3D positioning (latitude, longitude and height) is required.
Satellite navigationand position systems
clocks, tropospheric delay and ionospheric delay. All errors can be measured and modelled except ionospheric delay, which is the largest source of error and needs a special model. Universally, Klobuchar model is used but for Indian conditions, a dual shell grid based model has been developed by ISRO. This is because ionospheric condition over Indian subcontinent is peculiar to this region and different from the type seen in the US and Europe.
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requires satellites with higher inclination to give global coverage with orbital heights > 20,000 km, above Van Allen Radiation belts, so that orbital period is ≈ 11 to 12 hours. The satellites are put in 3 to 6 GEO planes for optimum global coverage. The satellites should be small in size with minimal appendages so to minimise luni and solar radiation pressures. Frequency of transmission is chosen near L & S band to minimise the background thermal/ microwave noise (on account of Big bang phenomenon). For keeping satellite orbital parameters stable and ephemeris unchanged, it is advisable to allow the S/C planes to rotate and keep the AOCS operations minimum. It is always desirable to replace the faulty satellites with the in orbit spare.
On board satellite system redundancies are always kept in hot triple redundancies. For correct location/ position determination on earth, a minimum of three satellites are needed for determining the three positional parameters (x, y, z or longitude, latitude and height). However, there is always a clock bias in the receiver clocks and some differences in satellite clocks which come as a time bias, making it a fourth unknown parameter. Hence, to determine these four parameters, a minimum of four satellites should be seen by the observer. If the satellites are widely spread apart, then the Geometrical Dilution of Precision (GDOP) is small (GDOP 1/volume). The overall errors get multiplied by the GDOP. It is always better to keep GDOP minimum for minimising errors in range measurements.
Position fi xing and source of errors
The range measured using any global navigation satellite constellation is a pseudo range. Sources of error are system noise, multipath, receiver and satellite GE
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Global navigation satellite system
Both GPS and GLONASS constellations worked very well till 1998. But due to fi nancial reasons, GLONASS constellation dwindled. However, from December 2011 onwards, the GLONASS constellation is complete and fully operation. Besides these two constellations, European GALILEO, Chinese COMPASS and Indian
Current frequency plan Planned freq. (additional) Capabilities
Carrier frequencies Additional civilian 6B higher power frequency relative to L1
L1: 1575.42 MHz L5: 1176.45 MHz 20 MHz broadcastL2: 1227.60 MHz L2C Safety of life service freq. bandwidth protection (ARNS-bend) improved signal cross correlation
Code frequencies ME code (L1/L2) M-code designed to(pseudorandom) P-code: enhance system security10.23 MHz (on L1/L2) to improve anti-jamming
Code frequencies C/A code on L2 Dual freq. ionosphere(gold code) C/A-code: (1127.60 MHz) correction (improved)1.023 MHz (on L1) UERE and better accuracy
Navigation message Ephemeris, SV clock On L1, L2 and L5 parameters ionospheric parameters, SV health
Existing & Planned modernisation of the GPS signals
Orbitalperiod
11Hrs58Mins
11Hrs,16 Mins 14 Hrs 05 Mins
FullyOperational
FullyOperational
In the processof completion(2 launched)
In the processof development
Status
COMPARISON OF SATNAV SYSTEMS
System GPS GLONASS GALILEO GAGAN/ IRNSS
No. of satellites 24 (30) 18 now, 24 reqd 30 , GIOVE-A 2 / 7
Altitude 20,200 Km 19,100 Km 23,616 Km 36,000 Km
Frequency of L-band L-band L-band L1,L5 / L5 & S-bandoperation
Absolute position 10 meters 10 meters 8 meters < 8 meters with accuracy GAGAN & < 20 meters with IRNSS
Multiple access CDMA FDMA/CDMA CDMA CDMA
Spacecraft life 7.5 years 5 years >7 years 10 years
Controlled by Dept. of Defense, MoD, Not yet known India US Air Force Russia
Coordinate system WGS-84, ECEF PZ-90, ECEF ITREF WGS-84
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IRNSS constellations are also under development.
GPS
GPS is the fi rst one-way (passive) ranging satellite system. The principal objective of the US-Department of Defense is to offer the US military accurate estimates of position, velocity and time (PVT) for a high dynamics platform (P 10m, velocity error 0.1 m/s and time error 100 ns all in rms). Signal should have a measure of resistance to jamming and interference. For this reason, transmission of signals on the same carrier is being done using CDMA. It has the provision to deny the use to the US adversaries and at the same time, enhance
L5 signal would be introduced (a few SVs are transmitting L5). Presently, the system is using semi codeless technique and L2C - a method of tracking P(Y) on L1 and L2 without P(Y) Code knowledge, but correlating the L1 and L2 measurements. Currently, civilian dual frequency receivers are based on this technique. As per the US, there is no guarantee that semi codeless receivers would work after December 31, 2020. Hence, the solution lies in upgrading the receivers with L2C and L5.
Special features - L5 (1176.45 MHz)L5 transmission has broadcast strength which is four times more powerful than L2C. It provides larger frequency separation than L1 (1575.42) and L2 (1227.6) for better ionospheric corrections, and longer code and error-correcting techniques for more robust tracking in adverse environment. It is located in the highly-protected aeronautical band and is designed for safety of life applications.
There is no interference, as in the case of L1, from Light Squared Network and Services. L5 provides superior tracking on L5 in tougher conditions. S-BAS accuracy using L1/L5 will be ≈10 cms (RT) as compared to ≈1 to 2 m using L1. Various augmentation systems like EGNOS, WAAS, GAGAN and MSAS support L5. EGNOS supports Galileo. Also, single frequency L5 receivers would probably give better accuracy then L1 due to stronger signal and better code structure. L5 would be available by 2014/ 2015 in 11 SV. A-24 satellite constellation would be available by 2019. Also, the other international constellations like GLONASS, Galileo and IRNSS plan to support L5. (Acknowledgement: Eric Gakstatter-Webinar) Although introduction of L5 promises better feature over the L1 transmission in GPS constellation, there are certain issues:
> All schedules are projected but not guaranteed. Budgets are also
the accuracy over a geographical location in a limited time (this had been done during the Iraq war by maintaining high accuracy over a period of 2 hours).
GLONASS
GLONASS was the second constellation to be deployed which used 14 sets of frequencies in six planes with FDMA. This was a deviation from the parallel argued philosophy of using CDMA. However, under its modernisation plan, GLONASS would transmit its navigation signals in CDMA.
GALILEO
GALILEO constellation is planned in six planes providing six services and supporting IGNOS over the European region.
Introduction of L5 in GPS modernisation plan and other upcoming GNSS constellationsUnder GPS modernisation plan,
<< A standalone GPS system cannot satisfy
the integrity and accuracy requirements
for all phases of fl ight >>
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likely to be hiked. Moreover, the question is when the present GPS system is doing well, why opt for a change?
> Galileo has slipped on schedule many times
> Indian experimental studies under GAGAN have shown that L5 does suffer large scintillation over equatorial region in certain month/ time of the year.
Limitations of GPS and GLONASS in civil aviation sectorA standalone GPS system cannot satisfy the integrity, accuracy and availability requirements for all phases of fl ight, particularly for the more stringent precision approaches. Integrity is not guaranteed since all the satellites may not be satisfactorily working at all times. Time to alarm could be from minutes to hours and there is no indication about the quality of service. Accuracy is not suffi cient even with S/A off, the vertical accuracy for 95 per cent of the time is >10m. Availability and continuity of the standalone systems in case of both GPS and GLONASS are not assured. However, GALILEO in some of its paid services does provide services integrality, availability and accuracy as per ICAO standards.
As far as others are concerned, there is a need to augment the system for the safety critical applications. It is essential that the user be
assured; the system is operational within design tolerances, and position estimate derived from it can be trusted to be within the specifi cation. This is the most important requirement called integrity. All this requires various types of augmentation.
GNSS - Indian ScenarioIndia started working in the area of GNSS from 1995. First, ISRO used Satellite Positioning System (SPS) in IRS and scientifi c satellites for LEO orbit fi xing; and simultaneously started working towards setting up Indian S-BAS system, GAGAN with the help of Airports Authority of India. India is also in some way participating in GALILEO and GLONASS and plans to have its our own regional constellation (IRNSS). India has taken up ionospheric and tropospheric studies, and modelling for the equatorial ionosphere. India may become a biggest user of GNSS for GIS, mobile, survey, mining,
fi shing industry, aviation, road and rail transport, etc.
Indian satellite based augmentation system, GAGAN (GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation) is being established to meet the ICAO guideline
to provide a seamless navigation around the globe. GAGAN will fi ll up the airspace between IGNOS and MSAS. GAGAN space system will consist of three spacecraft (GAGAN payload is a hosted payload in communication satellite) with 15 triple redundancy reference station and three master control centre with dedicated communication link. One satellite and hole ground segment are already in place.
IRNSS Network Time (IRNWT)
> The IRNSS timing facility generates the free running time scale. It is designated Free-(n), where ’n’ is either A or B depending on whether it is the online or backup system.
> The steered time scale is designated Steered-(n) or System
BENEFITS OF SBAS
• Primary means of navigation - Take-off, en route, approach and landing
• More direct routes - Not restricted by location of ground-based equipment
• Precision approach capability - At any qualifi ed airport
• Decommission of older, expensive, ground-based navigation equipment
• Reduced/ simplifi ed equipment onboard aircraft
• Increased capacity - Reduced separation due to improved accuracy
IRNSS Architecture
• Space Segment - Seven satellite confi guration, 3 SVs in Geo-
Stationary orbit ( 34°, 83° and 131.5° East), 4 SVs are in GEO Synchronous orbit placed at inclination of 29° (with longitude crossing at 55° and 111.5° East)
– The confi guration takes care of continuity of service with a failure of one satellite.
– The satellites are of 1 ton class with navigation payload of 102 kgs and power consumption of 676 watts .
– There will be two downlinks (L and S bands) providing dual frequency operation with EIRP of 31.5 dBW at EOC.
– The payload will have 3 Rubidium clocks.
• Ground Segment – Master Control Center
– IRNSS Ranging and Integrity Monitoring stations (IRIM)
– IRNSS Telemetry and Command stations
– Navigation Control Centre – IRNSS Network Timing Centre
• User Segment
Planned operationalisation by 2011-2012
> Universal Time and Reference Frames (each constellation, as of today, has adopted different time and geodetic reference frames)
Conclusion
We need measurement of space and time for almost all our activities, and GNSS provides us these measurements. For the emerging civil aviation sector (less than 5 years), all airlines should equip their aircraft with SBAS (GAGAN) receivers and integrate with FMS. GAGAN will be a reality in the next two years.
The services will be further augmented by IRNSS, which will provide better navigational facility to specifi ed users, surveyors, transporters and various other users with 100 per cent availability and better accuracy. The PNT accuracies can be enhanced if receivers use other constellations. Hence, GNSS is likely to infl uence our life more than any other technological advent.
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time. The physical realisation of the steered time scale is IRNWT, which is a leap second free time scale. This will be synchronised and steered to TAI from international time lab maintained with an accuracy of + 25 ns at any instant of time over a year. This can also be called as TAI after synchronisation.
> IRNWT is normally delivered by the primary system, and it is delivered by the redundant system in case the primary fails.
Current GNSS applicationsThe current GNSS has various applications. It can be used for personal navigation (mobile, PDA, vehicle mounted sensors, etc.), automotive applications (departure to destination without much detouring), marine applications, space and missile applications, geodesy and survey, town planning, bridges and tall building health monitoring, agriculture, forestland, exploration of natural resources and so on.
However, certain issues related to GNSS exist, like:
> Interoperability - It refers to the ability of an open global and regional satellite navigation and timing services to be used together to provide better capabilities at the user level, than would be achieved by relying solely on one service or signal
> Compatibility - It refers to the ability of space-based positioning, navigation and timing services to be used separately or together without interfering with each individual service or signal
> Intentional and unintentional interferences
> Overcrowding of frequency spectra
> Need for higher anti-jamming margins
> Protection of RNSS and radio astronomy bands
> Continuity of existing and planned constellations
> Ionospheric and solar weather impact on GNSS signals
> Standardisation of civilian signals and receivers
Dr Surendra Pal Former Distinguished Scientist, Associate
Director and Programme Director SATNAV/
Chairman GAGAN PMB
• Navigation
- Spacecraft
- Aircraft
- Ship
- Vehicle
• Grographic Data Collection
- Mapping
- Surveying
- Engineering
• Scientifi c Research
- Atmospheric Studies
• Geodynamics
- Crustal Movements
- Crustal Deformations
• Military
GNSS APPLICATIONS
• Natural Resource and Land Management
- GIS Ingest
- Forest Mensuration
- Town Planning
- Fleet Movement
- Routing/Alignment
• Monitoring the health of tall buildings/
towers, long briges
• Power grid synchronisation
• Agriculture
- Precision Farming
• Emergency Response
- Search and Rescue
• Building Solutions
- Location Based Services
• Mobile • Tourism • Retailing/Banking
A S GaneshanProject Director SATNAV /GAGAN
JUNE
GeoIntelligence AfricaJune 5-6 Birchwood Hotel and O.R. Tambo Conference CentreJohannesburg, South Africahttp://geointelligenceafrica.org
Eurosatory 2012June 11-15Paris, Francehttp://www.eurosatory.com/#/home
Geo MaritimeJune 13-14Etc venues, St Pauls, London, UKwww.wbresearch.com/geomar
GeoIntelligence Asia 2012June 14-15New Delhi, Indiahttp://gisdevelopment.net/geointelligenceasia
Cyber Defence June 18-19Copthorne Tara HotelLondon, UKwww.smi-online.co.uk
SimTect2012June 18-21Adelaide Convention CentreAdelaide, South Australiahttp://www.simtect.com.au
DVD 2012 June 20-21 Millbrook, Bedfordshire, UKwww.theevent.co.uk
Balt Military Expo (Baltic Military Fair) June 27-29 Gdansk, Polandwww.baltmilitary.pl
Securing Asia 2012June 25-27Queen Elizabeth II Conference CentreLondon, UKhttp://www.securingasia2012.com
Security Israel 2012June 26-28Tel-Aviv, Israelwww.securityisrael.com
Cyber Warfare & Security Summit 2012June 25 - 27Crystal City Marriott, Virginia, UShttp://www.cyberwarfareevent.com
JULY
Farnborough 2012 International AirshowJuly 9-15Farnborough, UKwww.farnborough.com
AUGUST
AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America 2012August 6-9Las Vegas, Nevadawww.auvsishow.org/auvsi12/public/enter.aspx
GeoIntelligence Latin AmericaAugust 16-17Sul America Convention CentreRio De Janeiro, Brazilhttp://lagf.org/2012/geointelligence/index.htm
SEPTEMBER
Berlin Airshow (ILA 2012)September 11-16Berlin, Germanywww.ila-berlin.de/ila2012/home/index_e.cfm
Israel HLS September 11Avenue Conference CenterAirport City, Israelhttp://www.technologies.co.il/beta/en-us/
Conference.aspx?Id=49
Africa Aerospace and Defence 2012September 19-23Air Force BaseWaterloof CenturionCity of TshwaneSouth Africahttp://www.aadexpo.co.za
Future Armoured Vehicles September 26-27Crowne PlazaRome, Italyhttp://future-armoured-vehicles.com
OCTOBER
Counter-IED IndiaOctober 3-5 Mumbai, Indiawww.ibcevents.com/events/counter-ied-india
Military Equipment and Technology ExpoOctober 5-6 Joint Base Lewis McChordWashington, USAwww.militaryequipmentexpo.com
Japan Aerospace 2012 October 9-14Nagoya, Japanwww.japanaerospace.jp/english/index.html
Events
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Border management
<< The Border Security Force (BSF) is one of the central armed police forces under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Its primary role is to guard India’s international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh during peacetime and also prevent trans-national crime. Of late, BSF is employing geospatial technology for effective border management >>
THE BORDER WARRIORS
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omelandsecurity is a comprehensive and concerted exercise aimed at maintaining
the sovereignty and integrity of the State to ensure sustained peace, public order and the rule of law. Today, it encompasses not only normal policing but also border management, coastal surveillance, counter insurgency, cyber security, disaster management and the Left Wing Extremist activities in several parts of India.
Courtesy: www.lexiconconsultants.com
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technology, thus becomes an integral part of an intelligence input, commonly called geoint. And in times to come, geoint would not only be a catalyst but also an operational parameter in the security of the nation.
However, geospatial data, in its original form, is incapable of proving very effective. It needs to be customised and interpreted as per the requirements of the user.
Geotech in border management
Geography or terrain matters to a commander. The commander must understand terrain to make informed decisions in all matters whether administrative, operational, tactical or logistical. Geospatial technology (geotech) thus acts as a tool for effective border management (EBM).
BSF perspective
Geospatial technology or GIS is one of the key components of the modernisation plan of BSF. After the success of GIS pilot project, the technology is currently being used on both the western and eastern borders of the country and is contributing greatly towards EBM.
<< Geospatialtechnology is one of
the key components of the modernisation plan of BSF. The technology is currently being used
on both the western and eastern borders
of the country and is contributing greatly
towards EBM >>
Importance of geoint
With an increase in asymmetric warfare, the threat to internal security becomes more complicated, challenging the very existence of economic growth. Geospatial data, such as surface profi le, terrain, etc., thus assumes great importance. The easy availability of imagery of right resolution, an instant communication between the provider and the user, the focused parameters and protocol and user-friendly software becomes an input at par with intelligence. Geospatial
their strategic/ tactical planning capabilities and awareness skills and allow them to examine and exercise their tactical development capabilities. BSF has defi ned its objectives keeping in view its aim and available technology as under.
>> To improve strategic planning skills by providing opportunities to plan various operations on 2D/ 3D models of areas of responsibility.
>> To exercise tactical planning and development skills within a learning environment.
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Why geotech?
BSF has been using conventional maps, about 30-35 years old, for operational duties as well as border management. But conventional maps have certain limitations like:
>> Terrain visualisation is not possible.
>> 3D view is not possible.
>> Distortion in scale.
>> Diffi culty in incorporating data on the map.
>> Diffi culty to focus on desired details.
>> Diffi culty in incorporating other data on the map.
>> Updation is a cumbersome task.
>> Regeneration of maps not possible. etc.
However, all this is possible with digital maps, thus enabling the force to take quick and effective decisions at all levels.
Objective
The objective of BSF is to provide an environment which will enable its personnel to enhance
>> To ensure that commanders are updated and kept aware of strategic and tactical changes within our area of operational responsibility.
>> To allow commanders the opportunity to exercise various options when dealing with theatre of operations, thus enabling them to take appropriate and timely decisions.
>> To integrate and synergise operations with the sister agencies.
Advantages of geotech
There are number of areas where the technology can be utilised by the forces. It can aid in command and control; 3D terrain analysis; visualisation and accurate analysis of near, real-time geographical data; in mission planning and logistics manangement. It also enables faster and more effective decision making besides aiding in resolving complex boundary related confl icts. Some other advantages are given below:
Tactical & StrategicPlanning
Policies &Procedures
Better Situational Awareness, Faster response and higherimmediate utility
Enabling Information Sharing
QueryAnalysis
EffectiveDevelopment
WebApplication
Briefi ng
3D Modelling
MapUpdation
GIS
IncidentAnalysis
EventModelling,Training &Forccasting
GIS Enables the National Security Strategy
>> Network analysis (Logistic and Operations): It is used for determining optimum and fastest route.
>> Creation of range areas and buffer zones
>> Change detection: It helps in detecting new structures, target identifi cation, pattern of incidents, river embankments. The 3D models created can be used to create real-time fl ythrough/ walk through of the area for visualisation of both known and unknown terrain.
>> There are several other applications like effective deployment, query/ analysis, map updation, briefi ng, web application and battlefi eld visualisation, that is, projection and visualisation of own and counterpart BOP (border outpost). It can also provide line of sight analysis from any given point.
>> View shed analysis.
>> Creation of geo-referenced tactical overlays
How geotech will infl uence the decision-making process in BSF?
At present, decision making in the force is dependent on various
factors like fi eld reports, observation on ground, reccee, use of paper maps, sand models, charts and diagrams. But there are certain limitations to this process like it’s time consuming, involves physical efforts and there’s a high probability of errors.
However, once geospatial technology is fully incorporated, it’s likely to drastically change the decision-making process of the force. The future decision-making process would be based on the pattern wherein the commander would
>> Archive paper maps.
>> Visualise his patrol in action.
>> Get data and information for effective operational planning.
>> Intelligent sighting of observation posts and ambush points, that is, analysing
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locations, height, visible areas, dead zones, strength and maintenance status.
>> Does macro/ micro level analysis of information from offi ce.
>> Briefs offi cers at all levels.
>> Effective deployment of troops.
>> Proper border violation incident reporting and analysis.
>> Analyse demographic pattern; and so on
Conclusion
Being a force multiplier, geospatial technology will make decision-making faster and more informed with supervision becoming more effective and quick in BSF. It will also empower HUMINT. To sum up, GIS is quid pro quo for EBM.
<< Once geospatial technology is fully
incorporated, it’s likely to drastically change the decision-making
process of the force >> K. SrinivasanIG, BSF (retd)
GIS: An integrated technologyGIS is a cross departmental integrating technology used in all critical infrastructure sectors to solve daily operational challenges.
Site Monitoring andMobile Data Feeds
Site Photos, Forms,And Documents
Digital Terrain Data
MapdataMapdata GIS Map Layers
Tabular Databases
Engineering Drawingof CAD File
Orthoimagery
InterviewInterview
“We can assist India with“We can assist India with our collection capabilities”our collection capabilities”
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<< Astrium is all set to launch its next satellite, Spot6 from India. In an interview to GeoIntelligence, Joerg F Herrmann, Senior Strategy Manager, Astrium GmbH, Germany, talks about the company’s plan to work closely with India, their successful partnership with German space agency, DLR and their future plans... >>
Q. Can you tell us about your role as Senior Strategy Manager?
My current role is in continuation of my previous position with a focus on future plans. I initiated the radar commercialisation programme on the industrial side in Germany. And I was the founding CEO of the company, Infoterra, which is part of the pubic-private partnership (PPP) scheme to commercialise the TerraSAR capabilities in Germany. I was in that role for nine years. I then moved into the strategy group in order to develop concepts and business models for the next generation of commercial SAR.
Infoterra was always a wholly owned subsidiary of Astrium. But today, the change that has been implemented is integrating all the capabilities in geospatial services in Germany, France, UK and Hungary into a new organisational group called Astrium GEO-Information Services. Although the individual national entities still exist, we are now operating at a group level. Here, we are focussing on geospatial services, and the German component is to provide continuity in commercial SAR services and applications. That’s also the area I focus on.
Joerg F HerrmannSenior Strategy Manager, Astrium GmbH, Germany
Q. What’s the kind of government participation in the company?
The company or the organisation itself is truly private. It was in 1997 that we started discussing with the German Government about the capital expenditure for commercial space infrastructure, and ultimately agreed to implement it in a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme for the fi rst time. The talks materialised in 2002 with the signing of the fi rst PPP contract; and that continued with the second PPP for TanDEM-X mission, a few years later. These two PPP activities are currently in implementation. Both the spacecrafts are in orbit, there are clear work sharing and cost sharing schemes between the private and public parties involved, and the partnership will continue until the end of the life of the satellites.
Q. It has been more than a year that TanDEM-X has become functional. How has the launch complemented TerraSAR-X and how is it benefi tting the company?
We are trying to address the demand for high-quality digital elevation models and digital terrain models. We can do this with a single TerraSAR satellite by applying radargrammetry; and the radargrammetry approach is already providing an attractive digital elevation model (DEM) with an accuracy of better than 10 metres in height and a posting of 10 metres, but is not optimum for providing large coverages. It’s more of a local and regional DEM, typically being used to generate height lines for topographic maps, particularly in cloud prone areas.
With TanDEM-X, we have a little bit extended posting of 12 m. That also has to do with the optimisation of the data collects. With TanDEM-X, we are covering the entire global landmass which is 150 million sq km, so it’s a huge exercise. DLR started
<< What brings the ingredients of success in our partnership with DLR is that we have the risk and funding sharing in place. Also, in the operational phase, both research as well as the industrial capabilities related to radar are working very closely together as a team >>
collecting the data about a year ago. We are in the second year of collecting and the multiple collects is a requirement due to the fact that, depending on the slope angles, you will need more coverages in order to meet the required accuracy. So if you have a fl at terrain, a single coverage is enough, and if you have 20 degrees tilt, you prefer to have two coverages; and if you go alpine, you prefer to have three or even four coverages. Also, considering that you can apply different view angles by merging ascending and descending coverages, you reduce the voids, the holes in the information.
Q. How do you ensure that the product meets the expectations of consumers? What kind of markets do you address?
We are addressing major mapping authorities. We collect data, process and improve it. In fact, after the collection of data, there’s a stage called editing the product because it might require typical things like hydro-enforcement, getting rid of spikes and other artifacts to improve its quality. We expect to have the database, the core database readily available by 2014. And as we go along, we will start editing country-by-country depending on the demand.
Q. The partnership between the German space agency, DLR, and Astrium GmbH is considered to be a case of successful
public-private partnership (PPP). What do you think is the reason behind it?
Well, like any other good partnership in real life, take the case of marriage for instance, you have a successful marriage if relationship is established on the common basis of frankness and understanding. What brings the ingredients of success in this partnership is that we have the risk and funding sharing in place. Also, in the operational phase, both the research as well as the industrial capabilities related to radar are working very closely together as a team. So bringing these two components together have contributed to the success.
Q. What usually happens is that the private partner fi nds that the government is largely over-bearing and they don’t get the required autonomy in the functionalities that they are into. Do you also face that sort of problem?
Well, we saw these problems beforehand and accordingly devised a concrete model on the sharing of responsibilities. Of course, as you go along, you learn and you may need to fi x some of the areas; and we have a mechanism in place for that. Also, we both follow the same goal to materialise the commercialisation of this capability.
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Q. You have been credited with having pioneered the commercialisation of space radar. But nowadays, we fi nd that survivability of commercial satellite companies is a major concern among industry. In fact, survival of private industry is considered to be diffi cult, if not completely impossible, without the government support. Your take.
Well, typically if you do something new, you tend to plan optimistically for the fi rst time because you want the thing to happen. And as you go along, you learn about the hurdles in the way. In most of the cases, I think, as far as I know, that applies to all my colleagues in the branch - they all are facing hurdles which they did not expect. I guess that has to do with the adoption of our solutions by customers because customers want to be convinced; and we may not have the solution readily available. After all, we could only start developing good products and services once we have the infrastructure in place. And that delays things, but I am very optimistic that most of the initiatives that have been started will continue. Of course, those players in the market who have government’s support are better than those who have to rely on purely commercial approaches. So there’s a little bit of imbalance in the market place.
Q. What according to you are the trends that are driving or
will drive the growth in the commercial application of remote sensing technology? And what are the constraints?
In order to convince customers to use services or solutions, you need to make sure that you completely understand their processes, and how your capabilities and contributions can fi t best to meet the customers’ needs. Also, in cases where customers are required to invest in order to use your services, you would prefer to keep the customer side investment low to keep him happy. For example, there’s an information service on your iPhone. Suppose you are looking for a particular information, and there’s a cheap app that you can download which provides you the information at a time when you require it and without a big investment. That’s the trend that we have to pursue. In some cases, that has already started to happen.
Q. Sometime back, you had said that the remote sensing industry is likely to witness a signifi cant technical change with the merging of electro-optical and SAR data. What’s the progress on that front?
Primarily, we faced the situation that electro-optical is still the preferred sensor type in the user community. The commercial SAR specifi cs are complementing with their specifi c capabilities, which are, for instance, the very high location accuracy which enables to provide GCPs (ground control points), so we
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can work with the triangulation with radar very easily - it’s not so easy with electro-optical. We can provide digital elevation models at a highly automated level – that’s another complement. Typically, in cloud prone areas, we can fi ll the gaps of information collects with the radar; and in some cases, we can do very similar things that we have been doing based on electro-optical for many years. These are some examples where the two sensor concepts are actually creating synergies. In other cases, when the frequency of monitoring is of importance for the user, you can mix the two sensor concepts and provide a more frequent monitoring effect. And in cases where you are required to do comparisons before and after any event, be it a disaster or anything else, you can refer to the electro-optical database and check very quickly with data collects. We have been doing this in a few cases like earthquakes in China, tsunami in Japan, etc.
Q. Do you suggest to your customer that a particular task would be better with SAR or electro-optical or a combination of the two?
As I just tried to outline, it’s a complementary service. The customers deserve the best recommendation in terms of benefi t versus cost. So I would not recommend to go left or right in terms of electro-optical or SAR, but rather fi nd the best solution for them. And I think with the setting that we have built in the Astrium
<< Towards the end of the decade, there’s going to
be the third generation of TerraSAR technology which
we call high resolution wide swath (HRWS). This would
enable us to have a one metre resolution over a
swath of 70 km >>
GEO-Information Services group, we can do it. But then there are also many cases where we have to collaborate with other vendors in the market. So there’s quite some increase in horizontal collaboration between different vendors which usually has to do with regional constraints.
Q. In India and Pakistan, we have had very tragic cases of avalanches where a number of people have died. Is there anything your company can do to help forecast avalanches?
We are focussing largely on landslides, which is a very comparable thing. There’s a set of hotspots or super sites that we have started monitoring regularly. There’s a service, which we call alert service to make the responsible authorities aware that there has been some signifi cant motion which could very soon lead to a landslide. It’s an alert service which is based on interferometric measurments and enables us to provide a surface motion change with millimetre accuracy. That’s comparable to GPS networks which are already being applied over such areas but these are point measurements. With our measurement approach, which we call surface motion monitoring, we can provide area coverage, also as complement to GPS networks.
As far as forecast about avalanches is concerned, it’s doable in principle. But for the time being, we have been focussing on landslides because the consequences are very stringent in cases where villages or towns are potentially being affected. As for avalanches, you typically keep the settlements away from the risk-prone areas because you know, historically, where the avalanches happen.
Q. What can we expect from Astrium in future, say, in the next 10-20 years?
We are in the process of adding GEOI
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area management and monitoring in order to measure changes very quickly. Another aspect that’s very important for us to pursue is to set up a constellation of satellites in order to improve the revisit times and the reliability. If you are monitoring very congested areas or areas with high interest, you will need more capacity.
Talking about our TerraSAR-X2 programme, we are preparing a business model which we call WorldSAR with the objective of installing about 3 to 5 of these TerraSAR-X2 satellites, working in a virtual constellation between our partners and ourselves.
Q. Are you in talks with Indian Space Research Organisation for cooperation in future?
We have had quite a few discussions in the past, and until now not much has materialised but we are still hopeful. I think we can assist India with our collection capabilities. India is well positioned with its own resources, with electro-optical and now also with SAR capability, but it is always worthwhile reconsidering and fi nd ways to create a win-win situation for both sides.
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electro-optical sensor systems to our fl eet of capabilities. Pléiades 1 has been launched and Pléiades 2A will be launched by the end of this year. Spot 6, the successor of Spot 5, will be launched in August on PSLV from India. With respect to radar, we have started developing the second generation of TerraSAR. This is a new technology concept which capitalises on the experience that we collected with the fi rst generation, and would signifi cantly improve the resolution and detail of information. It will be capable of collecting data with 25 cm resolution. Also, the technology will enhance our maritime surveillance capabilities by providing a very wide swath of up to 400 km. At the same time, we would be able to collect AIS signals from vessels. So the user can see both, in an overlay, the detected ships plus the annotation from the AIS signals. And looking one step ahead towards the end of the decade, there’s going to be the third generation of TerraSAR technology which we call high resolution wide swath (HRWS). This would enable us, for instance, to have a one metre resolution over a swath of 70 km. That would be perfectly suited to do risk prone
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Fuelling nuclear weapons?
North Korea has resumed construction of a nuclear reactor in Yongbyon after months of inactivity, fuelling reports that the plant would be used to expand the country’s nuclear weapons programme. The site is expected to become fully operational within one to two years. Once completed and operational, it would give the country a new source of spent nuclear fuel from which plutonium, a fuel for nuclear weapons, could be obtained.
North Korea, which has test-detonated two nuclear devices, had some years ago reprocessed spent fuel from its old graphite-moderated fi ve-megawatt reactor in Yongbyon to extract plutonium. However, the reactor was partly dismantled in 2008 under a short-lived nuclear disarmament deal with the US and remained non-operational. Analysts believe that the country is likely to conduct another nuclear test to try to regain its leverage in talks with Washington after its efforts to put a satellite into orbit failed in April.
Text courtesy: The New York TimesImage Courtesy: GeoEye / AP (www.news.yahoo.com)
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