Environmental Data Collection Sensor to Decision Aid
Michael M. Harris, Will E. Avera, L. Dale Bibee, J.M. Null, James A. Hammack · Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) · 2004
Historical environmental data is very useful; however, it often suffers from incomplete coverage, low data density and perishability. Accurate near real-time environmental data is critical to the success of Mine Warfare operations as was demonstrated in Operation Iraqi Freedom in clearing the approach to the deep water port of Umm Qasr. Prior to the conflict information on seafloor bottom type, expected mine-case burial rates and water depth was inconsistent and dated. MCM ships had to proceed with extreme caution until the bottom types and bathymetry could be determined. Environmental data is needed to determine the right tactics, and minimize the time required to breech an area while maintaining a true sense of mine detection. Dynamic, near real-time, and historical data should be processed and merged onboard, and provided to tactical decision aids as the "best" environment to support Mine Countermeasures.