GPS and GIS are essential tools for modern military operations, enabling precise navigation, communication, intelligence, and planning. In this article, you will learn how these technologies are used in different domains and scenarios, and what skills and challenges are involved for GIS professionals in the military.
GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a network of satellites that provides accurate location and time information to receivers on Earth. GPS is widely used by military forces to navigate across land, sea, and air, as well as to coordinate movements and operations. GPS also enables the use of precision-guided weapons, such as missiles and bombs, that can strike targets with minimal collateral damage. However, GPS is not infallible, and can be disrupted by jamming, spoofing, or environmental factors. Therefore, military navigators need to have backup methods, such as maps, compasses, and inertial navigation systems, to ensure reliability and accuracy.
GPS and GIS are widely used in land operations, such as infantry, armor, artillery, and special forces. GPS and GIS enable land forces to navigate through complex and unfamiliar terrain, to locate and engage enemy targets, and to communicate and coordinate with other units.
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GIS stands for Geographic Information System, a software platform that allows the analysis and visualization of spatial data. GIS is used by military intelligence to collect, integrate, and interpret information from various sources, such as satellite imagery, terrain models, human geography, and enemy activities. GIS helps military analysts to identify patterns, trends, and threats, and to produce maps, reports, and briefings that support decision-making and situational awareness. GIS also enables the creation and dissemination of common operational pictures, which are shared representations of the battlespace that enhance coordination and collaboration among different units and allies.
GIS is also a valuable tool for military planning, as it allows the simulation and evaluation of different scenarios and courses of action. GIS can help military planners to assess the feasibility, risks, and impacts of various options, such as routes, locations, timings, and resources. GIS can also help military planners to optimize the allocation and deployment of forces and assets, as well as to monitor and adjust the execution of operations in real time. GIS can also facilitate the integration of civilian and humanitarian considerations, such as population density, infrastructure, and environmental issues, into military planning.
GPS and GIS are widely used in land operations, such as infantry, armor, artillery, and special forces. GPS and GIS enable land forces to navigate through complex and unfamiliar terrain, to locate and engage enemy targets, and to communicate and coordinate with other units. GPS and GIS also help land forces to avoid friendly fire, mines, and improvised explosive devices, and to provide accurate fire support and medical evacuation. Some examples of GPS and GIS applications in land operations are handheld devices, vehicle-mounted systems, drones, wearable sensors, and smart munitions.
GPS and GIS are also essential for maritime operations, such as naval, coast guard, and amphibious forces. GPS and GIS enable maritime forces to navigate through vast and dynamic oceans, to detect and track enemy vessels and submarines, and to communicate and coordinate with other ships and aircraft. GPS and GIS also help maritime forces to conduct surveillance, reconnaissance, and patrol missions, as well as to provide accurate fire support and humanitarian assistance. Some examples of GPS and GIS applications in maritime operations are shipboard systems, buoys, sonar, radar, and torpedoes.
GPS and GIS are also crucial for air operations, such as air force, army aviation, and space forces. GPS and GIS enable air forces to navigate through complex and contested airspace, to locate and strike enemy targets, and to communicate and coordinate with other aircraft and ground forces. GPS and GIS also help air forces to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as to provide air support and air defense. Some examples of GPS and GIS applications in air operations are cockpit displays, flight management systems, satellites, missiles, and bombs.
GIS and any other application that uses a GIS Engine all allow staff to incorporate location into their planning. In the modern battlespace, basic GIS-type functionality is increasingly offered to the staff through other applications, variously labelled Battlespace Management Application (BMA), Common Operating Picture (COP), or Command and Control (C2) applications. GIS now tend towards the more 'exquisite' use cases conducted by well-trained individuals. This re-balancing offers the opportunity to speed up planning cycles by empowering general staff, whilst freeing up capacity of GIS experts to focus on more complex areas: advising on geodesy and projections; data management, and; complex analytics.