Hyperspectral Imagery: Warfighting Through a Different Set of Eyes

Abstract

Abstract : Hyperspectral Imagery, or HSI, is a sophisticated, versatile intelligence gathering technology that could potentially enable the US military to make significant strides towards improving the preparation for and execution of its missions. Many of the difficulties in bringing the promise of HSI to fruition have very little to do with the technology itself. As will be discussed shortly, HSI technology has been successfully demonstrated in a variety of diverse applications. In point of fact, it is the versatility of HSI that may be hindering its implementation into the mainstream of the U.S. military's intelligence gathering capability. The objective of this paper is threefold. The first goal is to introduce the reader to both the technology itself and the myriad potential applications of Hyperspectral Imagery. The second goal is to realistically examine the challenges that HSI must overcome, specifically in the areas of how HSI fits into the world of joint vision, intelligence doctrine, and the intelligence cycle. Finally, the paper will provide a series of recommendations some focused on organizational issues and others on acquisition issues that will address the majority of the challenges faced by the intelligence community as they endeavor to incorporate an HSI capability into the U.S. intelligence community.