GIS Technology for Military Applications

Find suppliers of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for military applications and GIS technology and analysis for defense; Army, Navy, Marines
Overview GIS Technology for Military Applications
By Dr Thomas Withington Last updated: December 4th, 2024

Geographical Information Systems

Most military operations are performed on, above or under the Earth’s surface and bodies of water although space is emerging as an operational domain in its own right. It is imperative that militaries have the most accurate and detailed maps possible. Armies and navies have always played a major role in the development of cartography. This has not only been to their own benefit but has filtered into the civilian world. The dawn of airpower in the early 20th Century made a further contribution. Aircraft were, and remain, an excellent reconnaissance tool. As such, aerial pictures they took of the surface below were useful for drafting maps. This was further revolutionised with the advent of satellite reconnaissance from the 1950s

As example of this historical trend is illustrated by the United Kingdom’s Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping agency. The OS was formed in 1791 in the wake of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion which attempted to reinstall the Stuart family as the British monarchy. In the wake of the rebellion, Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, became aware of shortcomings in maps available to the British Army. This led to the drafting of detailed maps of the Scottish Highlands. Today, the OS continues its detailed cartography of the United Kingdom producing maps that are widely used in the civilian domain

For centuries military maps were printed on physical materials like paper. The advent of the microchip and computing in the early 1960s had a major impact on military cartography. This triggered the growth of Geographical Information Systems (GISs). Put simply, a GIS is built around a database housing a myriad of information. Computerisation and digital communications mean that GISs often interact closely with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs). As a result, military cartographical services have increased in precision and accuracy.

GISs often form a key part of computerised Battle Management Systems. At its simplest, a BMS depicts the positions of hostile and friendly forces overlaid onto a map according to their location. These forces could be deployed in the air, land and/or sea domains. They could be depicted at strategic, operational and tactical levels, according to the echelon where they are used. The major asset of a GIS compared to printed maps is their currency. A BMS depicts these red and blue forces in real-time or near real-time. Positions of friendly units are derived by the latter reporting their position using GNSS blue force tracking systems. Positions of red forces are derived from reconnaissance and intelligence collection

Human Geography

This real-time/near real-time benefit is vastly enhanced by the array of additional information a GIS overlays onto a map. A printed map is essentially a snapshot of a particular area at a particular time and only includes the information printed upon it. A GIS adds a host of information. Perhaps a new bridge has been built in a specific area? This can be added via the few clicks of a mouse. A local river may have flooded inundating a nearby village and placing a large part of it underwater. Once again, such information is easy to add

One of the greatest contributions GISs make is in terms of representing human geography. Geographical information systems can overlay demographic data onto a particular area. This could include details of respective ethnic groups and where they live. Information could be added on where flashpoints or hostilities have occurred between these groups. What is more, this information can be rapidly and continually updated giving users a timely picture of the situation on the ground. Maps can show where incidents of criminality or political violence have concentrated. GISs may help maps depict where infrastructure has been badly damaged or destroyed.

It would be understandable to be concerned about the danger of information saturation precipitated by GISs. Nonetheless, a useful attribute is that one can usually customise a map with exactly the information required. We are arguably at the dawn of the GIS’s potential. Expect further technological innovations and evermore detailed information in the coming years.

Products (19)

3DM-GX5-GNSS/INS

High performance GNSS-Aided INS for navigation & mobile mapping

High performance GNSS-Aided INS for navigation & mobile mapping
...e mapping/SLAM applications....
OEM7600

OEM7600 Dual-Frequency GNSS Receiver

OEM7600 Dual-Frequency GNSS Receiver
...ce constrained applications. With a variety of interface options to facilitate system integration...
OEM7700

OEM7700 Multi-Frequency GNSS Receiver

OEM7700 Multi-Frequency GNSS Receiver
...ce constrained applications and challenging environments....
OEM7720

OEM7720 Dual-Antenna, Multi-Frequency GNSS Receiver

OEM7720 Dual-Antenna, Multi-Frequency GNSS Receiver
Dual-antenna input, multi-frequency GNSS receiver offers precise positioning plus SPAN functionality...
OEM719

OEM719 Multi-Frequency GNSS Receiver

OEM719 Multi-Frequency GNSS Receiver
Multi-frequency GNSS receiver delivers precise positioning while retaining backwards compatibility w...
OEM729

OEM729 Multi-Frequency GNSS Receiver

OEM729 Multi-Frequency GNSS Receiver
Multi-frequency GNSS receiver delivers precise positioning while retaining backwards compatibility w...
Single-antenna CPT7700 enclosure with GNSS+INS technology

Compact enclosure with SPAN GNSS+INS technology delivers 3D position, velocity and attitude

Compact enclosure with SPAN GNSS+INS technology delivers 3D position, velocity and attitude
......-antenna enclosure with SPAN GNSS+INS technology delivering 3D positioning, velocity and... ...ding-edge SPAN technology from NovAtel in an integrated, single enclosure solution. The absolute...
VN-200 Rugged GNSS/INS

Miniature, high-performance GNSS-Aided INS

Miniature, high-performance GNSS-Aided INS
The VN-200 Rugged is a miniature, high performance GNSS-aided Inertial Navigation System (GNSS/INS) ...
VN-200 Surface Mount Device GNSS/INS

Miniature, high-performance GNSS-Aided INS with Surface Mount Device (SMD) form factor

Miniature, high-performance GNSS-Aided INS with Surface Mount Device (SMD) form factor
The VN-200 is a miniature, high performance GNSS-aided Inertial Navigation System (GNSS/INS) that co...
VN-210 GNSS/INS

Tactical-grade GNSS-aided Inertial Navigation System (INS)

Tactical-grade GNSS-aided Inertial Navigation System (INS)
...-C constrained applications, the ultra compact VN-210E option delivers unprecedented size and weight...
VN-310 Dual-Antenna GNSS/INS

Tactical-Grade GNSS/INS with Integrated GNSS-Compass

Tactical-Grade GNSS/INS with Integrated GNSS-Compass
...ensor and GNSS technology, the VN-310 combines 3-axis accelerometers, 3-axis gyros, 3-axis...
VN-300 Surface Mount Device Dual GNSS/INS

Dual antenna GNSS-aided INS with integrated GNSS-compass in a Surface Mount Device (SMD) package

Dual antenna GNSS-aided INS with integrated GNSS-compass in a Surface Mount Device (SMD) package
The VN-300 is the first and only Dual GNSS/INS in a single Surface Mount Device (SMD) package. At th...
VN-300 Rugged Dual GNSS/INS

Dual antenna GNSS-aided Inertial Navigation System with integrated GNSS-compass

Dual antenna GNSS-aided Inertial Navigation System with integrated GNSS-compass
The VN-300 Rugged is an industrial-grade GNSS/INS (GNSS-Aided Inertial Navigation System) module for...
AsteRx SBi3 Pro+ GNSS Receiver

Rugged GNSS-INS with single- or dual-antenna capabilities

Rugged GNSS-INS with single- or dual-antenna capabilities
......d also outputs synchronized raw GNSS and IMU data for sensor fusion applications....
AsteRx SB3 Pro+ GNSS Receiver

Advanced IP68-rated triple-frequency GNSS receiver

Advanced IP68-rated triple-frequency GNSS receiver
...r base station applications as well as fast-moving vehicles and platforms....
mosaic-H GNSS Module

GNSS heading module with dual-antenna input

GNSS heading module with dual-antenna input
The mosaic-H module is an ultra-compact multi-constellation and RTK-capable GNSS receiver module in ...
AsteRx-m3 Pro+ GNSS Receiver

GNSS receiver board for rover and base station applications

GNSS receiver board for rover and base station applications
...tion and rover applications....
mosaic-X5 GNSS Module

Compact multi-constellation GNSS positioning module

Compact multi-constellation GNSS positioning module
The mosaic-X5 is an ultra-compact multi-constellation GNSS receiver module in a surface mount form f...
mosaic-T GNSS Module

Miniature GNSS module for time and frequency synchronization

Miniature GNSS module for time and frequency synchronization
...range of other applications. The low-power module incorporates Septentrio's unique AIM+ interference...

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