New Project Boosts Military Situational Insight

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched a new project aimed at improving situational awareness, threat detection, and effector coordination for military personnel. The “3D Terrain and City Models for Situational Awareness, Decision Making, and Effector Coordination [3D-4LAND I]” initiative will leverage 3D modelling processes to improve situational awareness, threat detection & identification, and effector allocation. This initiative is led by the Netherlands' RE-liON, with participation from TNO (the Netherlands), FIRIS SA (Luxembourg), the University of Luxembourg, and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST).

Recent technological advancements allow for precise surface scanning and the automatic or semi-automatic generation of 3D models, including textures, for simulation purposes. These scans can be carried out by sensors already integrated into land platforms during their movement through mission areas.

By using automated analysis and the derived models, particularly in real-time scenarios and on military vehicles, situational awareness can improve significantly. Operators can therefore better understand the terrain before arrival, predict potential risks, and gain deeper insights into the environment.

With a budget of €4.9 million over 36 months, 3D-4LAND I aims to define the conceptual framework for the system, including scenarios, operational and technical requirements, evaluation criteria, system architecture, and specifications. Additionally, the project will establish a roadmap for the development of a physical demonstrator in a subsequent project, 3D-4LAND II.