The MaxPac 8242XRA from MaxVision is a new high-end rugged 3-D computer for in-the-field advanced modeling and analysis, including geospatial intelligence operations, advanced pre-mission simulations and post-mission reviews. MaxVision develops rugged portable servers and desktop solutions for some of the world’s most demanding problems and environments. MaxVision has mastered the art of injecting the most advanced processor, graphics and I/O technology into the marketplace in sophisticated packaging to provide high-performance computing for harsh environments. MaxVision relied heavily on this access to Intel’s latest micro-architecture, formerly codenamed Nehalem, and its own internal multidecade engineering experience to utilize best-in-class COTS components in the design of this new rugged MaxPac. All MaxVision products are built to withstand extreme temperatures, survive transportation shocks or drops, and prevent intrusions of the finest desert sand or dust. Box-in-box shock isolated chassis and desert-proven air filtration systems are all part of the standard features of the product.

Ira Tabankin, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Module Eases Complexity of Image Orthorectification

ITT Visual Information Solutions has released the ENVI Orthorectification Module, a new, add-on module to ENVI, a leading software solution for processing and analyzing geospatial imagery. The new ENVI Orthorectification Module combines the advanced, rigorous model from renowned orthorectification experts, Spacemetric, with an ENVIbased automated workflow approach that steps users through the orthorectification process to geometrically correct an image to remove distortions that occur during image capture. Providing support for a wide set of both satellite and aerial sensors, the ENVI Orthorectification Module makes the complex task of orthorectifying imagery accessible to image analysts of various experience levels, while providing mathematically accurate results. The new ENVI Orthorectification Module incorporates the mathematical model for rigorous orthorectification developed by photogrammetric experts at Spacemetric, who have worked closely with satellite providers for years to ensure their model is optimized to work with data and imagery from today’s most popular airborne and satellite sensors. The choice of leading global institutions, the Spacemetric model has proved to deliver optimized results with minimal error.

Lori Thompson, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Task Order Links Enterprise Search, Geospatial Visualization

NCI has been awarded an extension to its successful technology demonstration task order for the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) developing cutting-edge search and geospatial visualization capability for key federal customers, specifically the Joint Information Operations Warfare Command at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The task order was awarded to NCI, together with partners Google and Next Tier Concepts, under the Air Force Network-Centric Solutions contract. The NCI team will link and make searchable Web applications and Web-based portals with information from external databases and other enterprise data sources. These applications will use Google Earth Enterprise and Google Enterprise Search to integrate a customer enterprise data search capability linked to customized geospatial views and visualization for critical customer information.

Mobile GIS Software Speeds Field Mapping and Data Collection

ArcPad 8, ESRI’s latest mobile GIS software for field mapping and data collection, is now available. ArcPad 8 has new usability and performance enhancements to increase productivity and help users manage their GIS projects more efficiently. The release includes the ability to synchronize edits with ArcGIS Server. Any device that can connect to the Internet can synchronize ArcPad edits directly with the enterprise geodatabase via ArcGIS Server. Field staff can now share data faster and save time by no longer needing to return to the office to update their GIS database. ArcPad 8 also includes a new user interface. New icons and toolbars occupy less screen real estate than in previous versions. Toolbars can be docked, minimized and maximized, and users can either modify the out-of-the-box toolbars or create their own with a new desktop tool called ArcPad Toolbar Manager. The GPS user interface also gets an overhaul in ArcPad 8. The GPS position dialog box has been replaced by a translucent toolbar that appears at the bottom of the map screen. It shows much of the same detail as the previous position dialog box but now uses colored visual cues to indicate the quality of the GPS fix.

Workstation Combines Rugged Hardware, Solid State Memory

Intergraph has introduced the first military grade rack-mount workstation, combining rugged hardware and a sealed, solid state computer and memory to ensure protection from punishing environmental conditions and mission-ready capability. The TD-R 7X11R-S Series rack-mount workstation has no moving parts and is completely sealed to prevent the induction of outside air, water, dust or other contaminants that can cause system failure. It meets or exceeds Department of Defense specifications for shock, vibration, humidity and temperature, with the ability to operate in temperatures up to 140 degrees. It is ideal for the most stringent demands of users in harsh operating environments, such as naval ships, factories or oil rigs. The workstation runs on Microsoft Windows XP Embedded operating systems as well as Linux and uses COTS components to reduce costs and provide easily available spare parts management.

New St. Louis Facility Supports Global GEOINT Program

Harris has opened a facility in St. Louis, Mo., for production and quality assurance of high-resolution imagery-derived geospatial data for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and other federal agencies in the area. Representatives from the NGA, various industry partners, and Harris attended a ribboncutting ceremony at the new office this spring. Harris supplies imagery processing, foundation data, mapping and charting production, and production management for the NGA’s Global Geospatial-Intelligence program. These intelligence products are provided by the NGA to policymakers, military decision-makers and warfighters. They can also be tailored to support civilian federal agencies and select international organizations. Initially, employees of the new Harris office will be focused on independent quality assurance of geospatial data created for the NGA at the company’s facilities in Melbourne, Fla. Additional space is available to accommodate the company’s plans to provide onsite production.

Deployment Services Contract Enhances NGA Expeditionary Mission

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has awarded the Deployment Services Contract 2 (DSC 2) to General Dynamics Information Technology. The contract covers a five-year ordering period of one base year and four one-year options. The total value of the contract is potentially $149.1 million. The DSC 2 program continues requirements previously acquired via the NGA DSC, and also consolidates requirements from other NGA contract vehicles that involve NGA’s Office of Global Support. The original DSC contract was awarded to General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. To implement DSC 2, NGA awarded a single contract with five initial task orders that have a value of $87.5 million. Future task orders will be awarded as appropriate. The work will be performed at major NGA locations and at locations around the world, as required. The DSC 2 contract will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of NGA’s expeditionary mission and will reduce the total overall support cost. Additionally, the program will provide access to a large pool of appropriately cleared technical and analytical personnel. DSC 2 will provide deployable geospatial intelligence analytical support, expeditionary systems technician support, deployer training support, support to military and civil readiness exercise planning, certification and accreditation support and motion video analyst support.

Revised Portfolio Includes Defenseoriented Enhancements

ERDAS has released ERDAS Software 2009, Version 9.3.2, featuring the complete portfolio of geospatial business systems for authoring, managing, connecting and delivering information. This includes new releases of ERDAS Imagine, LPS, ERDAS ER Mapper, ERDAS Extensions for ArcGIS, ERDAS Apollo and ERDAS Image Web Server. This release is part of ERDAS’ annual release schedule, which includes a major release of ERDAS products each fall, as well as a minor release in the spring. In the desktop products, ERDAS Imagine now supports the COSMO-SkyMed radar sensor satellites, reads support for Enhanced Compressed Raster Graphics and enables much faster creation of RPF Defense data. LPS has improved the support for defense-oriented workflows in the Imagine Defense Productivity Module, enhanced performance in LPS Core and made the Stereo and Classic Point Measurement tools easier to use. For the enterprise products, ERDAS Apollo provides client-side SLD styling, a high-performance interoperable catalog, NITF output format with Department of Defense metadata management and Oracle 11g support. ♦

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