Three dimensional terrain display for UAV applications

With the battle proven success of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's), the future of these tactical systems is boundless. Although typically employing onboard visible, infrared, or electro-optical imaging subsystems for reconnaissance and flight operations, one of the challenges facing the application of UAV's is adequate situational awareness supporting remote night operations. This becomes especially true during missions that need to be conducted during low or zero visibility conditions. With this in mind, a need has been identified to provide the UAV community with a method of providing a real-time, three-dimensional terrain data presentation along with enhanced mission planning as part of the integrated ground operations and central system. Integration with a color moving map presentation provides a total solution for UAV mission planning, navigation, and overall situational awareness. Combined, this information leads a more successful mission.