Maintaining information flow in fast-moving operations
Guest blog by Richard Goodman, EMEA defence lead at Hexagon #DefTechWeek
Underpinning defence operations decisions with AI and data fusion is part of digital transformation. This includes advances in automation of geographic data, including cataloguing, analysis, delivery, visualisation and exploitation leveraging commercial data and software. Use case examples include GBAD (ground-based air defence) and CUAS (counter-unmanned aerial systems), which provide data from multiple sensors to decision-makers. There are obvious current conflicts dominating the news where GBAD and CUAS are the headlines.
Data discovery and shareability
In any solution, the receipt and cataloguing of data needs to rapidly enable users and systems to have knowledge of what data is available and its suitability for use. Without this, the value of the data is lost and decision-makers may be lack crucial information. Metadata captured automatically, or populated as part of manual workflows, should include known fields to permit the easy discovery and interpretation of the data. Attributes such as source, date, shareability and quality of the data will help assure users to trust the data. With NATO’s move to need to share, rather than need to know and the overall move to Multi Domain Operations (MDO), data discovery and shareability are more important than ever.
Data analysis and delivery
Once discovered, data needs to be analysed, allowing information to be extracted and knowledge to be derived by users. Through automatic analysis of data, using machine learning, AI and processing workflows, information is delivered to users. Whether AI is used on the edge or at the headquarters after receiving data, it should not restrict subsequent data analysis. Having captured analysis workflows digitally, users can first run analytics on demand as well as be assured the analysis is repeatable and without user bias.
For successful delivery of data and information, users need to receive it in the correct format at the time of relevance. Through automation of dissemination and ease of retrieval, with standard products and standard delivery services, multiple end user clients can consume the information feed. Rather than distributing products on demand, as with the need-to-know concept, sharing standard services and products by the need-to-share concept means one producer can serve many consumers, even with differing access permissions.
Data visualisation
After all the work to receive, analyse and share, the delivery of information is often via visualisation, as after all, “a picture paints a thousand words.” However, a 3D view of real-time data along with analytics depicts many thousands of sentences. Utilising advances in browser technology, the modern command control (C2) or COP delivers timely information to commanders, with full assurance of the data validity. Simulated predictions, such as of routing vehicles and historical data of troop movements, can be included for a more all-domain view.
Visualisation techniques are crucial components of modern defence C2 solutions, particularly for GBAD and CUAS. These technologies provide military decision-makers with enhanced situational awareness and the ability to process complex spatial data rapidly.
For CUAS operations, geospatial analysis and visualisation tools are essential for tracking and identifying small, fast-moving targets. These systems can integrate data from multiple sensors, such as radar, video, audio and AI classification. Moreover, these technologies support rapid decision-making by allowing users to perform spatial analysis, such as calculating weapon ranges, identifying optimal sensor placement and predicting potential impact zones.
Hexagon’s capabilities
Through customer participation in exercises such as CWIX, TIE and REPMUS, and active deployments, Hexagon’s commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software is being employed in real-time systems for CUAS and GBAD, as well as C2 and autonomous vehicles. Inaccurate coordinate transformations or ambiguous visualisations pose significant risks in modern defence C2 solutions, particularly for GBAD and CUAS systems. These issues can lead to severe consequences in military operations, so using tested and secure software is important. Using COTS software, with its regular testing, validation and user feedback, helps ensure that C2 systems provide accurate, easily interpretable information to support critical decision-making in defence operations.
With adherence to open standards for data, catalogues, web services, etc, Hexagon’s technology is widely used in defence organisations around the globe. www.hexagon.com/go/sig/hxgndefence
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Authors
Richard Goodman
EMEA defence lead , Hexagon
