Intro
For this lab we utilized the ArcGIS software to experiment with mission planning and detailed mapping of mission sites. The user is able to overlay a numerous variety of maps onto the ArcGIS software and use their data for mission planning. The software provides elevation information to the user which they should implement into their mission planning because of its affect on aircraft performance and utility for obstacle avoidance. The user can also draw a elevation profile line and then the table will graph the elevation data and output it. Additionally the software provides an eye level perspective which helps the operator plan their shoots prior to arrival to the site.
Agriculture Use
We selected the "Normalized Difference Vegetation Index" and it highlights areas of healthy vegetation green and areas without vegetation red. This map allows states to identify parts the the state that the vegetation are struggling.
Figure 1: NVDI Map
Then we selected an infrared version of agriculture map that highlights dense vegetation red which is often used by foresters to measure vegetation health in a clearer image than the NVDI Map.
Figure 2: Infrared - USA NAIP
Firefighting and Climate Use
For this portion of the lab we overlaid the Thermal Hotspots and observed the spread of wildfires in North America. This information could be used to understand where wildfires are common and what climate promotes their growth.
Figure 3: Thermal Hotspots
A more detailed wildfire map from the US Wildfire activity site was chosen and displayed. This map focuses more the individual fire and provides more utilization for firefighting organizations.
Figure: 4 US Wildfire Activity
Conclusion
ArcGIS provides a software program that allows users to share data in an organized fashion that can easily be interpreted via a map.
