Miniature
Video Recorders and cameras
PhotoTelesis from Symetrics Industries group developed lightweight
video recce system (LVRS) which is currently in service with
special forces. The image acquisition and transmission device
integrates image processing, storage, display, annotation and
management functions. The whole system can be packed in low
weight, compact system called the Military MicroRIT (MMR) or
operate in a ruggedized laptop. For applications requiring covert
image acquisition by even smaller systems, Sekai Electronics
introduced a smaller device called MTE-100 Ultra Compact Camera
Recorder. This matchbox sized miniature device provides the
same image quality of the TMC-100 but has an integrated battery
for 30 days standby or 3 hours continuous recording. It also
supports a local area network wireless (LAN).
Panoramic
Vision
RemoteReality introduced at AUSA Winter its latest version
of 360 degree visual awareness sensor, a single camera covering
all directions, all the time with continuous video coverage.
RemoteReality is offering its system for security systems, as
well as for manned and unmanned vehicles, offering enhanced
situational awareness, integration with weapon targeting and
improved navigation.
Advanced Workstations
for Intelligence Analysts
Lockheed Martin is promising to revolutionize the way intelligence
analysts and planners see the world and work with imagery data.
For image processing and exploitation at a large scale, the
company is promoting its version of analyst workstations, implementing
the Global Visualization Services (Global ViSe) and Analyst
Roundtable. Global Vise is creating an immersive visualization
tool vastly improving the understanding situations and managing
operations. The system is integrating layers upon layers of
discrete data in an intuitive and dynamic interface, eliminating
the need to access each database individually. Users can access
images, targets or reports using 'point-and-click on geographically
represented map, aerial photo or design.
Overwatch, now an established
member of the Textron Systems group, is implementing its software
applications with the workstations the Army is deploying for
operating with the Distributed Common Ground System –
Army (DCGS-A) segment of the joint DoD wide intelligence network.
The U.S. Army is accelerating DCGS-A upgrades to improve the
level of military intelligence support in theater. Upgrades
planned within the next 24 months will streamline deployed systems
with V3 configuration which will establish commonality and interoperability
among analysts, focusing intelligence efforts on analytical
thinking instead of repetitive data entry, and reduce training
burdens by eliminating tools with similar capabilities. This
version will also incorporate the AXIS Pro link analysis software
from Overwatch, a new link building tool assisting analysts
to discover and extract information more effectively and distribute
it faster to the supported units.
SAIC is also introducing
the Champion, Counter-Intelligence, Human intelligence (CI/HUMINT)
advanced modernization program. While information generated
by automatic or manually controlled sensors is flooding the
network, HUMINT information sources are less abundant. Separating
valuable information from 'chaff' is difficult and work intensive
and most often, the flow of HUMINT slows down to a mere trickle,
in contrast to the information flood coming from networked sensors.
The Champion program has addresses this shortfall. While the
HUMINT collection process remains unchanged, Champion optimizes
the reporting of critical intelligence, by tagging and referencing
the relevant elements in the reports, applying XML-tagging routines,
providing geo-referencing and enabling web services. This process
improves the analyst's link to intelligence collection across
the tactical level and up to the national level. The program
has already demonstrated improvement in reporting capabilities
with the current portal-based service providing geo-referenced
visualization of the collection operations management mission.
This portal is being transitioned into an operational system
and is expected to become a fully integrated system next year
(FY09).
Warfighters take a four-dimmensional
Introductory tour of the battlespace
A different image processing system is currently in development
at SAIC. The 4DAR is a photorealistic application, accurate
down to the graffiti on buildings walls simultaneously presenting
three-dimensional photorealistic terrain, intelligence data
and time (the fourth dimension of 4DAR). The system enables
soldiers to see, experience and understand their future areas
of operations – from the boots on the ground perspective
– even before they leave home station.
