UNDERSTANDING THE BATTLEFIELD
command warfighter function. Tese conditions each impact force tactics and behaviors, platform performance (ground and air), system performance (e.g., sensors) and the Soldier. For exam- ple, in planning converging strike capabilities across multidomain formations, planning teams require precision and exquisite knowledge of the terrain, weather and environment, tailored to how they may impact potential courses of action. Calibrating force posture and maneuvering multidomain formations into tactical areas heavily protected by enemy anti-access and area- denial systems requires similar information, readily available for decision-making across echelons and the joint services.
Te U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is DOD’s lead in research on terrain and the Army’s key to geospatially enabling mission planning and mission command, and is home to the only DOD laboratory whose sole mission is environmental research. As such, the center is fully engaged in research to meet the needs of multidomain opera- tions. Its geospatial and environmental expertise and technologies help the warfighter understand the terrain and the operational environment across a range of users and platforms to support key decisions affecting mission command, maneuver, logistics, intelligence and fires. Key use cases include mission planning; determining and visualizing enemy capabilities; planning and visualizing weapons effects in a three-dimensional urban terrain; applying terrain analysis; optimizing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance planning; and supporting movement and maneu- ver in complex terrain.
Te center has transitioned several major programs to meet the need for a new generation of actionable geospatial and operational environment information, and it has plans to transition more.
MORE THAN A MAP Existing planning tools do not allow operational leaders to communicate a commander’s intent, operational purpose and desired end state during rapidly changing operations. Recogniz- ing this, ERDC developed a digital, geospatially enabled planning environment that provides multiple forms of collaboration within the tactical, operational and strategic communities.
Map-Based Mission Planning is a joint research program that enables the sharing of ideas and situational understanding between superiors, subordinates and peers in all phases of mili- tary planning processes. Its geospatially enabled capabilities allow planners to collect, process and share information and make informed decisions in near-real time.
Analyzing the effects of weather, terrain and even urban-area concerns, the program continuously gathers logistics, intelli- gence and operational information to support decision-making by utilizing authoritative databases. It provides an updatable and interactive common map to be used by leaders, and it can flag hazards, such as terrain likely to flood during a certain time of year or routes that take Soldiers through hazardous-material areas, to reduce maneuverability risks.
Te program enables all elements of the force to operate on the same map and supports real-time coordination and collaboration.
IT LOOKS LIKE RAIN ERDC has developed a variety of environmental modeling plat- forms and intelligence tools designed to support the planning process and be integrated into the toolbox of the common oper- ating environment.
Weather impacts how commanders select objectives and how they locate, move and control forces. Poor weather can significantly diminish Soldier and weapon system performance. Yet, the Army faces a challenge to integrate weather with geospatial services or to fully understand how the weather impacts the terrain across
DANGER OF FLOOD
ERDC’s Streamflow Prediction Tool produces 15-day continental- scale streamflow forecasts for each river, stream and tributary, including an intuitive warning system that highlights areas most likely to experience flooding. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army ERDC)
120
Army AL&T Magazine
Summer 2020
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