Kinetic Solutions awarded software customization by MOUT training facility

St. Louis, MO (September 21, 2004) Kinetic Solutions was recently awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, to convert their Integrated 2D map viewer software into a GIS feature map.  Fort Benning currently utilizes a Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) system for situational awareness training for military personnel at their facility.  The project will include multiple phases to convert Fort Benning’s IT Map into a GIS using ArcGIS software.

As part of the first phase, Kinetic Solutions will convert the existing GIS data into shapefile format.  Fort Benning’s GIS division will provide the required GIS layers including, roads and highways, elevations, digital raster images and building floor plans of the training facility.   The maps created with ArcGIS will allow Fort Benning to display soldier locations using GPS technology, and symbology added onto the current MOUT platform.  The GPS locations of soldiers and the floor plans for Fort Benning’s training facility will be converted from a raster map to a vector-based GIS.  Further customization consists of updating the GIS data received by UDP broadcast packets during training operations.

The second phase of the project will entail further customization of the IT Map to include the current functionality available to Fort Benning.  Kinetic Solutions will integrate features displayed by the Land Navigation System module, including, alerts, digitized hazards and waypoints, and enable communication between the GIS implemented through the contract and the current 3D Module.  The third phase upon implementation will include the development of an ArcPad solution for ten PocketPC’s to be used by soldiers conducting training missions.  The ArcPad application will have the same functionality as the current Land Navigation System, allowing Fort Benning to display the training facility and GIS layers.  The application will be developed with basic software tools such as zoom, pan, measure, identify, and tools to edit and maintain the GIS layers.

The Fort Benning MOUT operations are designed to aid the U.S. Army with tactical missions that occur in urban areas, and for experimental purposes to test equipment provided by manufacturing companies.  With the increased number of populations living in these regions, the U.S. Army has been conducting urban combat operations to help the military capitalize on the strategic and tactical advantages that an urban area may create or denying these advantages to opposing forces. 

With the integration of GIS software, the U.S. Army can more effectively train for urban combat operations.  In the event of a crisis situation, tactical commanders can use GIS to virtually see the interior and exterior of the building and its surroundings.  The technology provides detailed technical data and room asset information, plus the ability to monitor the process of teams during a tactical mission.  To learn more about GIS applications for the defense and military industry, please contact Kinetic Solutions for a private Flash demo of the company’s intelligent GIS technology, SCOUT™ Incident Command System, designed for all stages of crisis management.  Contact David Hosking at: (314) 770-9090.

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