Main vectors in Military Topographic and geodetic support studies.

The record of armed forces' involvement in military conflicts indicates that a new character of would-be wars has taken shape as have fundamentally new, more efficient methods of combat operations. The U.S. coalition forces and NATO countries demonstrated this most graphically in the course of Operation Shock and Awe in Iraq.

In many respects, the transition to new methods of combat operations became possible due to scientific advances in software for WME control systems. Against this background, changes are taking place in the system of combat information support, including topographic and geodetic support (TGS), something that occurs simultaneously with the development of armed warfare methods.

The qualitative shifts in methods of combat operations determine the need to identify scientific approaches to the formation of the main TGS research priorities.

Comprehensive studies of the character of modern warfare, prospective requirements of forces and preliminary specifications for new R & D make it possible to represent the entire amount of studies as a three-level system (Fig.).

* The upper (first) level, a very important one that determines the other levels in the system of scientific studies, is formed by research vectors designed to improve the process whereby geodetic and cartographic space systems plus aerial photography means receive initial information. After all is said and done, the quality of outgoing topographic and geodetic information depends on completeness, precision and promptness of navigational and geodetic data and images (photographs) of the earth surface.

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* The second level, which is the main and amplest one in terms of the content of investigations, is formed by vectors in R & D for means and methods of creating topographic and geodetic information. This research sector is divided into three sub-levels.

* The first sub-level develops means and methods of creating the initial topographic and geodetic information that is put at the basis of various user standard and special data. The initial information includes preprocessed (prepared) space and aerial photographs, digital orthophotomaps, catalogues and systems of coordinates of geodetic stations, map-and-height base resulting from the making of phototriangulation networks, and digital topography matrix made by cartographic or photogrammetric methods.

* The second sub-level develops means and methods of creating users' main universal information made in accordance with the established standards and requirements. This standard topographic and geodetic information includes analogue topographic maps (photomaps) and charts, as well as digital and electronic maps.

* The third sub-level develops means and methods of creating special topographic and geodetic information. The case is point are additional, specific data that are, as a rule, created to meet users' direct order by adapting and amplifying standard and initial information. The latter includes analogue and electronic specialized maps, digital spatial terrain models, and information for precision weapon systems.

* The third level, one responsible for the efficiency of the entire TGS system, includes a very important scientific sector that develops means and methods of supplying (delivering) topographic and geodetic information as well as geoinformation and geonavigation technology and software enabling efficient use of topographic and geodetic data.

* Within the first level, the Institute is engaged in a number of investigations that secure the development of state-of-the-art equipment for the Earth's remote probing from outer space. The main scientific and technological effort is concentrated on creating a worth-while optoelectronic cartographic space system designed to obtain initial real-time digital information on terrain. Using the system's digital images provides new technological opportunities for creating highly accurate topographic and geodetic information to be used by forces.

Under current circumstances, using the global navigation system (GLONASS) is increasingly of special importance for topographic and geodetic support. For this purpose, investigations are in progress on how to develop methodological instructions for the use of specialized satellite equipment and technologies in handling navigation and geodetic information.

Investigations continue with the aim of obtaining and using for cartographic purposes aerial photographs of terrain and information from drones.

Of decisive importance for the successful functioning of the entire TGS system is creating up-to-date topographic and geodetic information. This is why the centerpiece of an efficient topographic and geodetic support system is a technological subsystem for creating reliable topographic and geodetic data of different types and designation, as well as development of constituent elements, which the Institute does at the second level of investigations. Within this context, works are pursued for both the general corporate technological aspect and for each sub-level.

The following pursuits are related to the unifying investigative vectors.

In the first place, it is a set of investigations designed to develop and modernize information cartographic support (ICS) in order to create modern and prospective types of digital terrain information (DTI). A characteristic trait is the amount and length of the investigations, for each new weapon type requires that new specialized ICS and DTI be developed especially for it. For example, the U.S. armed forces already today supply more than 230 titles of topographic and geodetic information with different specialized information and cartographic content for command and control systems and weapon systems.

Investigations of general unifying technological nature also include the work to create an integrated cartographic system (ICS). In its concept, the ICS is a flexible technological system that secures cartographic production of the main types of topographic and geodetic information in digital and analogue forms.

A number of investigations is devoted to creating national standards of geocentric systems of coordinates and protracted base-lines. Apart from that, the Institute works to develop unifying means and methods for the creation of topographic and geodetic information, pursuing a number of investigations aimed to develop a system for handling space and geodetic information, standardization, metrology and cataloguing.

Of fundamental technological importance are investigations within the framework of the first sub-level. Their final aim consists in obtaining the most accurate initial topographic and geodetic information. Among these investigations is R & D for means (methods) of geodetic and photogrammetrical identification of supporting map-height base, as well as the manufacture of digital orthophotomap and stereophotogrammetric construction of digital relief matrix. A systematic effort is on both to improve the traditional geodetic assets helping to define coordinates of points in linear base-lines, and to develop methodological and technological ways of geodetic definitions with the use of the GLONASS system and its comprehensive joint employment with NAVSTAR, its foreign counterpart.

For nearly 40 years, the production and technological sector of the topographic service of the RF Armed Forces successfully runs and systematically develops a unique system called "Construction of Phototriangulation Networks on the Basis of Space Photographs." As of today, it is the world's only program-technological system that can create map-and-height basis from space photographs of inaccessible territories. The continuous scientific and technological advancement of this system secures implementation of the exterritorial principles while obtaining standard or specific topographic and geodetic information in any area of the globe without violating borders and sovereignty of nations.

Systematic scientific and technical monitoring is pursued of production methods that are used to make orthophotomaps and digital relief matrixes (DRM). Problems are studied where it is necessary to increase their accuracy, with technological suggestions drawn up on how to modernize DRM-making automated stereophotogrammetric systems. Improvements are made in Photoplan, the program-technological system that currently secures the making of digital orthophotomaps using photographs obtained by all existing earth surface surveying means (frame, panoramic, slot, spectrozonal, radar, etc.).

The main investigations performed within the framework of the second sublevel offer solutions to technological problems linked to the development and upgrading of standard topographic and geodetic data. Much attention in this context is given to scientific problems of enhancing the accuracy of the terrestrial gravitational field and the accuracy characteristics of the accepted system of coordinates. A lengthy cycle of investigations is coming to an end, which was aimed at creating a prospective system of military maps and using cartographic projections for small-scale maps.

Apart from that, R & D is in progress for technological proposals and a technology of automated creation of physical models of terrain reflecting both natural and anthropogenic relief. To enhance the completeness of information reflected by standard topographic and geodetic data, program-technological proposals have been implemented that envisage integrated photogrammetric treatment of photographs by analytical-digital methods. In this sector, it is increasingly important to go on with investigations directed at developing mathematical models for automated identification of space photographs. By making the most labor-consuming technological process, identification, increasingly automatic, we can reduce the timeframes within which not only electronic, digital maps but also other types of standard topographic and geodetic information are created.

Evaluation of years-long functioning of Russia's TGS system plus the perusal of Western materials about the system supplying geodetic intelligence to the U.S. armed forces and NATO's joint force show that both staffs and line units need not only standard but also special information on terrain. Moreover, the line units have considerably increased their requirements, in recent years, as to the promptness, accuracy, relevance and diversity of special information. The entire spectrum of scientific investigations performed within the third sub-level is devoted precisely to means and methods of its creation.

Within this sector, the main effort is concentrated on creating multi-function (geodetic, topographic, cartographic) mobile systems that secure the creation of a broad range of special topographic and geodetic data. R & D for technological aids securing the functioning of these systems is primarily aimed at enhancing the promptness with which special geodetic information, specialized maps, models and photographic documents on terrain are created. While developing requirements for structural content of special topographic and geodetic information, the main emphasis is placed on meeting the relevance requirements, which means that information should correspond to concrete tasks addressed on its basis.

Consideration of relevance as utility of information, one based on the experience of topographic and geodetic support for the counter-terrorist operation the RF Armed Forces pursued in the North Caucasus, reveals that units and elements at the tactical echelon require special (specific) information whose content depends on concrete combat missions assigned to them and the character of terrain. Therefore, the mobile division of the topographic service of the RF Armed Forces poses and technologically tackles the tasks to create special photographic documents with drop zones in mountain areas, large-scale maps with the underground service lines in populated localities, 3D spatial models of urban infrastructure and mountain landscapes, as well as other topographic and geodetic documents that most fully reflect the tactical features of terrain.

Apart from addressing scientific and technological problems involved in the creation of special topographic and cartographic information at the tactical echelon, it is increasingly an urgent thing to develop mobile miniaturized geodetic equipment capable of taking stable position fixes and performing specialized coordinate assignments. Calculations indicate that development of this equipment and methods of creating special information on terrain, and their full-scale introduction at the tactical echelon will make it possible to increase combat efficiency by 25-30%.

Along with the importance of dealing with the above problems, there is yet another current subject area of research directed at creating specialized topographic and geodetic information for intellectual weapon systems, including precision weapons (PW). As is obvious, the perception of terrain by guidance gear (sensors) in PW systems is much different from how human sense organs, primarily eyesight in a missile gunner, function. This distinction is behind the search for scientific and technological solutions enabling the creation of specialized information about terrain for a concrete missile guidance (seeker) sensor. Specialized terrain information to be used to adjust and target PW systems should meet high precision requirements. Thanks to the Institute's certain scientific and technological achievements, variants of such specialized terrain information are being created and (as shown by last year's tests of prospective PW systems) ensure high-quality, primarily precision, target hits.

The third level is where a considerable amount of investigations is performed, and their results eventually determine the efficiency of the entire TGS system. The central element in this respect is developing methods and means for supplying topographic and geodetic information. Modern norms and ways are substantiated of handing it down to line units and staffs both in analogue and digital form. A number of comprehensive scientific investigations specify the main tenets of the theory and practice of TGS, and determine ways of improving the system of topographic and geodetic support. An important vector in upgrading TGS efficiency is creating a prospective subsystem for TGS control. Research in this area is pursued both for the tactical and higher command and control echelons.

Much attention in recent years is given to research into the forming of an integrated structure of ground-based navigation (geonavigation) support. The geonavigation support is regarded as an inalienable component of topographic and geodetic support.

A no less important scientific vector in third-level investigations is the development of geoinformation assets enabling an efficient use of topographic and geodetic information. Military geoinformation systems are being developed that secure reception, analysis, and handling of topographic and geodetic data, and address the main information and computing cartometrical and tactical tasks. Nearing practical implementation is the task to create efficient systemic geoinformation assets enabling analysis and evaluation, based on digital topographic and geodetic information, of terrain's physical-geographic and tactical properties. The assets also make it possible to take into account their influence on the organization and conduct of an operation (engagement) and the use of weapon systems and combat equipment.

On the whole, the totality of investigations is directed at creating more up-to-date, flexible and prompt methods and means assuring the development of the topographic and geodetic support system. A number of problems will have to be solved, however, if the prospective vectors in the development of the TGS system are to be fully realized. These are the following: underestimation of the information component (that of TGS included) and its influence on the course of combat operations; postponement of the completion of prospective space geodetic and cartographic systems designed to obtain up-to-date basic information; it being technically impossible for the domestic industry to take into consideration and realize futuristic scientific ideas and proposals; low motivation of innovations, inventions and related activities. But the main problem is the necessity of dealing with funding and personnel issues. It is critical that the Institute retain its scientific potential. The huge losses in the 1990s led to the current situation where the Institute lacks formerly the most numerous and invariably fruitful middle research echelon.

As of today, the most numerous age categories are young people (aged under 25 years) and the experienced "old" scientific school (55 years plus). Under these circumstances, urgent personnel and financial measures are needed to repair the losses. As is to be regretted, a targeted assignment to deal with this problem is nowhere to be discerned in permanent reorganizations of research institutions, including the conferral on them of the status of federal establishments.

In conclusion, it is necessary to say that regardless of recent changes and losses, the Institute remains the sole bearer of scientific and technical potential and source of promising scientific ideology for the development of means and methods of topographic and geodetic support of the RF Armed Forces.

Col. L.I. YABLONSKY

Deputy head, 29 Research Institute, RF MOD, Candidate of Technical Sciences

Leonard Iosifovich YABLONSKY was born at the village of Kreivantsy, Grodno Region, on July 16, 1952. He graduated from Leningrad Higher Military Topographic Command School (1973), and Military Engineer Academy Imeni V.V. Kuibysheva (1980). He performed his military service with the Turkestan Military District. Starting from 1980, he held all principal scientific positions at the Institute. Since 2003, deputy head for scientific work, 29 Research Institute, RF MOD. Winner of RF Government Prizes in the area of science and technology (1997, 2004).