Rapid environmental assessment of nearshore METOC fields using motion imaging techniques applied to surrogate UAV data

Information needed by the warfighter on the highly variable littoral environment can be obtained on a timely basis using motion imaging techniques working on data that will be available from near-future USN/USMC UAVs. Algorithms are available for accurately calculating nearshore bathymetry, currents, surf characteristics and beach topography using space-time, electro-optical data collected from standoff ranges exceeding typical small arms ground fire. These environmental products have been developed using a research-grade imaging system and research-grade algorithms that were designed specifically for this mission. They have been demonstrated with rapid turn-around during recent fleet amphibious and mine countermeasures training exercises. Although demonstrated on a small manned aircraft, the instrumentation is small and light enough to meet rather restrictive limitations of tactical UAVs. Thus, future systems of this type could be deployed as an organic capability on Amphibious Ready Groups, essentially generating the squadron´s own environmental products without direct METOC community support.