Article

2005-05-06 Iraq-Jordan

Homeland Security Technology Offers GPS Systems With Iraq Street Maps To US Armed Forces

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Posted by God Save The World 2005-05-06 9:49:24 AM|| || Front Page|| [6 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I suppose it's too much to hope for that they have detailed road maps for these GPS units at this early stage. I have such a device (a Garmin StreetPilot III) and maps for the continental US that are a godsend when it comes to navigating in a strange city, as far as finding a specific address, finding alternate routes around construction or traffic jams, and just determining in general where a given road goes. I would think these would be ideal for military units planning roadblocks, ambushes, and pursuits. Yes, I'm sure they have traditional maps for this, but having a device with a computerized map updating your location and direction every second trumps the paper maps everytime when you're in a hurry. However I don't expect anyone has done such detailed mapping for Iraq or Afghanistan yet (although they may have several of the larger, individual cities surveyed).

Posted by Dar">Dar 2005-05-06 10:50|| 2005-05-06 10:50|| Front Page Top

#2 I suppose it's too much to hope for that they have detailed road maps for these GPS units at this early stage.

Even an eTrex would be of some use.

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2005-05-06 11:27|| 2005-05-06 11:27|| Front Page Top

#3 How hard can it be to link GPS coordinates to aerial or sattelite photographs of an area, especially once you're on the ground there?

Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-05-06 11:50|| 2005-05-06 11:50|| Front Page Top

#4 A social map of Iraq is what we really need. Clans, networks, hierarchies, circles of influence, mullahs and their followings, etc.

Posted by thibaud (aka lex) 2005-05-06 12:05|| 2005-05-06 12:05|| Front Page Top

#5 lex - Here's one to start with. There's another I've seen that might be better - with depth about the tribes - I'm still trying to locate it, lol! Organzied? Who, me? Pfeh, lol!

Posted by .com 2005-05-06 12:26|| 2005-05-06 12:26|| Front Page Top

#6 However I don't expect anyone has done such detailed mapping for Iraq or Afghanistan yet (although they may have several of the larger, individual cities surveyed).

Maybe not, yet, but Iran and N. Korea on the other hand...

Posted by Don Rumsfeld 2005-05-06 14:49|| 2005-05-06 14:49|| Front Page Top

#7 Well, I'm probably just talking out my butt on the first comment because I have no idea what systems they're using. I'm sure there's some group out there that's tasked to create some detailed electronic maps of all our potential adversaries since GPS is such a useful and major technology.

But I've also seen that many of the troops wind up buying their own GPS receivers, from manufacturers like Garmin, Magellan, et al. I've not seen that the format of the e-maps supported by the various makers are compatible, and I seriously doubt they are due to licensing concerns. I'd be curious to know if these HST-supplied e-maps are offered in more than one format so troops can get the appropriate set for their receivers.

Posted by Dar">Dar 2005-05-06 16:13|| 2005-05-06 16:13|| Front Page Top

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