Sextant highlighted by speakers at SSTO '06 

The Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre (CFJIC) recently presented at the  Simulation Support to Operations conference, held in Ottawa this past fall.  Sponsored by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries and organized by the Canadian Army's Land Force Doctrine and Training System, the event drew attendees and presenters from Canada, the US and Australia.  Sextant and its use in operational support was front and center as the CFJIC speakers outlined their concept of operations for battlefield visualization. 

Personnel from the Advanced Exploitation Section outlined their role in All Source Intelligence analysis and production with an emphasis on battlefield visualization for the conference attendees.  Corporal Jeffrey Mason laid out the type of products and timelines his group works under and then went on to compare and contrast Sextant models with corresponding real-world imagery. 

Mr. Alan Dickie, AES Team Lead, wrapped up the presentation with a summary of the challenges his section faces.  He stated that the first challenge is determining the level of detail required and acquiring the appropriate data. The availability of imagery, digital elevation data, and the geo-referenced vector layers along with their classification level are key factors.  "Space-based systems have the greatest ability to reach into denied areas surreptitiously and with the least risk to humans, but weather and satellite schedules can effect the timeliness of the collection.  Airborne systems can be timelier but they are constrained by technical limitations and availability.  If the system relies on line-of-sight communications its range will be restricted but they are fairly covert, depending on the stand-off capabilities of the system.  Manned aircraft may increase the range and versatility, but the risk to life and the risk of giving away our intent both goes up.  Ground based systems or hand-held imagery can provide the data for the most realistic models, but they carry the greatest risk to life and detection."

Mr. Dickie also pointed out that "the bandwidth pipelines narrow the closer one gets to the action.  We must decide whether to push the raw data forward or build the product further back and push it forward.  The amount of time it takes to push the raw data through the pipe can be a factor."

USMC TPC upgrades Sextant  

Following on the success of Sextant VWT version 4.1 for the Topographic Production Capability (TPC) in 2004, Project Officer GySgt Eric Nelson gave the go ahead to upgrade the Digital Terrain Analysis Mapping System (DTAMS) and DTAMS-Lite to Sextant version 5.2.  For background, the TPC provides the geospatial framework/foundation for the Common Tactical Picture (CTP) of the battlefield; terrain analysis in support of the Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield process; all-source terrain data storage, processing, analysis and integration; as well as briefing and decision-aid development support.

This software upgrade mirrors the move done earlier in 2006 by the Intel Analysis System Family of Systems for the Intel Ops Workstation.  As a result, both 0231's and 0261's will be on Sextant version 5. 

Training dates for 0261's in 2007 at Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, and Camp Hansen are being confirmed so check with your command or the TPC for firm dates.

Add your requirement to Sextant version 6 

Sextant version 6 is now "officially" in development so here's your chance to get your requirement to the top of the new features list.  For background, Object Raku staff collect your feature requests throughout the year and add them to the Sextant "wish list".  This request list is the No. 1 criteria used to determine what goes into each version.  As a result of the heavy deployed usage this past year and the resulting feedback, we have a great list but it's not too late to add your voice.  Email your top three wishes to us and we'll let you know in our next newsletter which features made the final cut.