By Lloyd Rowland, deputy
director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (www.nga.mil),
Bethesda, Md.
Years ago, visionaries such as Leonardo da
Vinci began examining the principles of perspective and projective
geometry that form the basis of many techniques used today to
understand life on Earth. Modern techniques such as photogrammetry
and remote sensing allow us to better capture Earth’s features and
understand the activities occurring on it.
Photogrammetry is the science of making scale-accurate maps from
aerial images captured by a precision-mapping camera. It can also
be defined as the science or art of obtaining reliable
measurements through photography. Photogrammetry provides a clear
image base for design engineering, asset management, planning, and
change detection, among other uses.
Remote sensing, in its broadest sense, is the measurement or
acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon by a
recording device that isn’t in physical or intimate contact with
the object. Remote sensing techniques can be used at a distance
from any device such as an aircraft, spaceship, satellite or ship
for gathering information about the environment.
Defining GEOINT
Why have photogrammetry and remote sensing been so important to
geospatial intelligence (GEOINT)? Because GEOINT describes a power
and capability inherently resident in a multilayered approach
based upon the concept of “place.” Everyone and everything must be
some place on Earth.
“Geo” comes from the Greek word for Earth,
and “spatial” refers to place. Where am I? Where are my friends?
Where are my enemies? Where are the innocent bystanders? Where are
the borders and boundaries and blockages along my way? GEOINT
visually presents the answers to these questions and has been
segmented from other disciplines because of its visual-reference
nature. As detailed below: Data Integration Drives Military and
Commercial Applications,” GEOINT gives policy-makers and
warfighters around the world the visual power to tackle many of
today’s most difficult intelligence and defense challenges.
The primary function of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
(NGA) is to collect, analyze and distribute GEOINT to support
national security. Formally known as the National Imagery and
Mapping Agency (NIMA), NGA is part of the Department of Defense (DoD)
and a member agency of the U.S. Intelligence Community. As described
in the accompanying histories of photogrammetry and remote sensing,
NGA has relied on such techniques to help lay the groundwork for the
modern development of GEOINT products and services.
GEOINT’s Future
Photogrammetry and remote sensing will continue to play an important
role in the GEOINT discipline. However, while the current analytical
strength of GEOINT lies in depicting what’s where on Earth, the
future power of GEOINT is transforming toward predictive analysis,
enabling users to glimpse into the future. Given ongoing research
and the rapid advancement of technological capabilities, the
possibilities for predictive GEOINT are both immense and exciting.
Envision empowering forward-deployed forces with the ability to
“walk” through 3-D imaging. Consider the ability, with the click of
a mouse, to fast forward and rewind a 3-D image through time.
Imagine the implications of predictive analysis for humanitarian
operations; how much greater could the impact of GEOINT have been in
terms of saved property, but more importantly saved lives, in
support of Hurricane Katrina operations? Such issues only scratch
the surface of potential GEOINT applications.
With continued investment in research and
development, technological applications and techniques now
unimaginable will ultimately sustain and expand the U.S. edge in
intelligence and security. However, investment alone won’t be enough
to ensure the leap in GEOINT capabilities required for the safety
and security of U.S. interests. Photogrammetry and remote sensing
also have ushered in an era of partnerships with the private sector
and the country’s international allies. From both a national and NGA
perspective, partnership with industry and allies will remain
critical to GEOINT’s future.
References
American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (www.asprs.org).
Crew, B. F. (2006, May-June). War Spurs Aerial Reconnaissance
Capability, Pathfinder, 40.
