Image Processing and its Military Applications

Abstract

One of the important breakthroughs, image processing is the stand alone, non-human image understanding system (IUS). The task of understanding images becomes monumental as one tries to define what understanding really is. Both pattern recognition and artificial intelligence are used in addition to traditional signal processing. Scene analysis procedures using edge and texture segmentation can be considered as the early stages of image understanding process. Symbolic representation and relationship grammers come at subsequent stages. Thus it is not reasonable to put a man into a loop of signal processing at certain sensors such as remotely piloted vehicles, satellites and spacecrafts. Consequently smart sensors and semi-automatic processes are being developed. Land remote sensing has been another important application of the image processing. With the introduction of programmes like Star Wars this particular application has gained a special importance from the Military's point of view. This paper provides an overview of digital image processing and explores the scope of the technology of remote sensing and IUSs from the Military's point of view. An example of the autonomous vehicle project now under progress in the US is described in detail to elucidate the impact of IUSs.