Three-D models of urban environments are now becoming available for military leaders, thanks to a team working at the University of California at Berkeley. The team, which is funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, has created a digital surface model out of airborne laser scans, reports Maria Callier of AFOSR. “Knowing the exact 3-D map of the city is useful to counterterrorism activities, mission planning and disaster management,” said Avideh Zakhor, team leader. “The team would like to extend the 3-D modeling of the indoor environment and consider the problem of incremental model updating after a building is demolished.” This new technology allows for continuous mode scanning, which cuts scanning time to approximately 25 minutes.
Watchdog Says Military Can Make Cyber Ops More Efficient
Sept. 17, 2025
The Government Accountability Office called for paring down the military's sprawling cyber enterprise in a recent report, amid renewed discussion about standing up a separate cyber force.