By Suyash Singh,
In the swiftly evolving landscape of modern defence, the strategic alliance between technology and intelligence takes centre stage. Crucial to defence operations is the seamless and accurate monitoring of objects and alterations in strategic locations.
Various fusion techniques have surfaced, leveraging diverse sensor technologies to enhance precision. For example, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), with its microwave sensing capabilities, excels in providing material properties like texture, structure, and surface roughness—particularly advantageous in scenarios where objects are concealed / camouflaged or during adverse weather conditions. Conversely, optical sensors capture high-resolution visual data, enabling the identification of colour, shape, and visual characteristics of objects. The fusion of SAR’s material property insights with optical imagery’s prowess in discerning colours and visual features results in a comprehensive dataset, facilitating precise and detailed object detection.
Examining the current change detection and terrain mapping for strategic planning conducted by defence and intelligence forces, a critical need arises for more efficient handling of sensitive sites, such as inactive nuclear test sites. In this scenario, defense agencies encounter the challenge of acquiring a distinct optical dataset and a separate Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) dataset to corroborate tips from the optical datasets or address gaps therein. The fusion of these independent datasets can introduce issues such as spatial or temporal mismatch. Spatial mismatch arises when there is a disparity in resolution or scale between the two datasets, while temporal mismatch involves differences in the timing of data acquisition among sensors. Such discrepancies create ambiguity in decision-making for intelligence agencies and lead to delays extending up to weeks. Given the critical nature of defence operations, the imperative now is the deployment of multi-sensor payloads that offer readily available and highly interpretable data, addressing these challenges efficiently.
Focusing on the aforementioned application, temporally and spatially matched fused data from multi-sensored satellites becomes instrumental in detecting clandestine activities, such as the construction of underground tunnels and the presence of concealed structures. Insights from SAR’s penetrating capabilities and optical imagery’s high-resolution visuals empower defence authorities to discern nuanced alterations, ensuring heightened situational awareness and strategic responsiveness.
Moreover, Fusion enhances precision in target identification and tracking, exemplified by monitoring port activities. Analysing trends in economic ports through fused imagery provides defence authorities with valuable insights into maritime activities, aiding strategic
decision-making. Patterns of shipping traffic, cargo handling, and infrastructure changes in different ports allow for the identification of strategic locations and potential vulnerabilities. The fusion of SAR’s all-weather visibility and penetration capabilities with high-resolution optical imagery offers a nuanced understanding of port dynamics, fortifying maritime security and optimising defence strategies in critical coastal zones.
In conclusion, the synergy of multi-sensor satellites and earth observation technologies, specifically the fusion of SAR and optical imagery, marks a significant advancement in defence precision. This integration not only addresses challenges posed by weather conditions and terrain complexities but also enhances the overall effectiveness of military and humanitarian operations. As technology progresses, further exploration into expanding the sensor stack, incorporating thermal imaging, and integrating multimodal fusion through UAVs can provide even more advanced insights for defence applications.
(The author is Co-founder & CEO, GalaxEye Space)
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