Information warfare in war conflict. Data map
Recently, the saying " Google Map html provides satellite images of all Russian military and strategic facilities at the maximum resolution" has caused an uproar around the world. Subsequently, Google denied the relevant statement.
It can be seen from the Russian-Ukrainian conflict that the power of open source geospatial information is "not to be underestimated" whether before or during conflicts. Earlier this month, , the director of commercial project of the National Geographic and Space Intelligence Agency (NGA), David Gottier, said that so far, the information advantages on the battlefield of Russia and Ukraine are enough to fight against more powerful equipment and troops. "As a professional intelligence officer, this is really amazing."
So, how do countries use geographic information to collect intelligence?
Google The United States Nellis Air Force Base displayed on Google map
Google Map:
can clearly see military facilities in multiple countries
"Ukraine Pravda" quoted the news website "ArmyInform" under the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on April 18, saying that "Google Map discloses all strategic and military facilities of the Russian Federation." According to reports, on Google Maps, images with a resolution of 0.5 meters per pixel, such as various intercontinental ballistic missiles, silos, command posts, etc. can be seen at 0.5 meters per pixel. These images can be used to evaluate the work process carried out on the Russian Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, the nuclear ammunition storage base near Murmansk, etc.
Google then responded, "These circulating images can be found on Google Maps before the Russian-Ukrainian conflict." However, according to CCTV News on April 21, Google suspended map services in Ukraine on February 27 and banned the real-time traffic data function, saying that it was for security reasons, and the situation in Russia and Ukraine had just escalated at that time.
In fact, due to the continuous advancement and development of technology, conflicts arise between high-definition image services provided by commercial satellites and sensitive military geographic information. Therefore, commercial satellite operators must comply with the laws of their country on the safe use of satellite maps.
According to Pengpai News , the United States' National Defense Authorization Act of 1997, namely the Kyle Bingman Amendment, stipulates that the Israeli images provided by commercial satellite imaging systems licensed by the federal government "cannot be more detailed or accurate than the Israeli satellite images obtained from commercial sources", that is, the resolution must not exceed 2 meters per pixel. NOAA (NOAA) reviewed and maintained this restriction in 2018, which explains why Google Maps and Google Earth satellite images in the Gaza region have been blurred for a long time.
Fuzzy processing of satellite images in sensitive areas in Israel
Many governments have put forward requirements for commercial satellite map service providers to blur satellite images. For example, in July 2018, the French Ministry of Justice protested to Google, saying that the high-definition street view map provided by Google directly helped criminals in French prisons escape. Google therefore blurred most prisons in France. The 705 Air Force Base of the French Air Force was also "mosaiced" by Google Maps.
's fuzzing treatment on sensitive areas can sometimes produce the effect of "no silver here". In December 2018, according to the relevant regulations of Israel and Turkey, Russian satellite map supplier Yandex fuzzed some sensitive military facilities. However, the American Association of Scientists confirmed the geographical location of these blurred areas through surrounding geographical information elements and discovered the secret military base in Israel and Turkey.
However, there are many military facilities that are publicly visible on commercial maps. For example, Google Maps can clearly see the Nellis Air Force Base in the United States, and even the infamous satellite images such as in the 51 area. Some sensitive military facilities in the UK were not dealt with, such as the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth located in Portsmouth Harbor.
US Commercial Satellite:
can share non-confidential images with other countries
Foreign media reported that it is worth noting that the satellite images on Google Maps are purchased from commercial satellite companies, and are not real-time images, and some images have not even been updated for several years. Chinese military expert Zhang Xuefeng said in an interview with " Global Times " that for military action, relying solely on satellite photos in Google Maps is not very meaningful.
Zhang Xuefeng pointed out that the significance of aviation reconnaissance and satellite reconnaissance is not only to see the relevant structure clearly, but also to reconnaissance the deployment of the other party and the activities of the troops. The latter is always dynamically changing. Satellite photos in Google Maps cannot meet this requirement. In addition, in modern warfare, the satellite data required for some missiles to bind parameters is also unsatisfactory to photos in Google Maps. For example, the terrain matching guidance method of cruise missiles requires digital maps in the flight route, and photos of Google Maps cannot meet these needs.
According to foreign media reports, some private high-definition satellite image service providers have such capabilities to provide customers with services to track the evolution of war situations and war reconnaissance in modern military conflicts that require extremely high information accuracy. It can be seen that in this Russian-Ukrainian conflict, commercial space companies have intervened unprecedentedly and "spread" and have become an important tool for the United States to provide strategic and tactical support to Ukraine.
David Gottier previously admitted that NGA, together with the important intelligence agency in charge of US military reconnaissance satellites, has cooperated with more than 100 commercial remote sensing satellite companies to monitor the deployment of the Russian military and the actual battlefield, and provide information and information to Ukraine.
It is reported that at least 200 commercial satellites have been used to take pictures. Among them, private satellites represented by the Pentagon contractor "Maxar" are widely used. According to the company, up to 90% of the "basic geospatial intelligence used by the U.S. government for national security" are provided by Maxar. High-resolution satellite images of Yernia, Russia collected by Maxar on November 1, 2021, show that a large number of ground troops were deployed in a training area on the northern edge of the city. According to foreign media reports, the US government is Maxar's largest customer, but as a commercial company, Maxar can also publicly publish images of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The satellite image of Google Maps, which caused controversy, also comes from Maxar.
Since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, "Maxar" has almost become the "monetary photographer" of the global media. It has been continuously imaged in hot war areas such as Kiev , Kharkov , Lugansk , Donetsk , Melitopol, Odessa , and other war situations, meeting people's need to obtain "real-time war situations". Maxar also pointed the camera at the Russian troops and took many high-definition images showing Russian military equipment, military facilities and even Russian soldiers. During the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, these images were widely used and spread by Western media.
NRO technicians provide images, audio and signals to 500,000 government users of the intelligence system, for analysts to extract intelligence and assist in decision-making. But at the same time, NRO pays Maxar $300 million a year to gain access to the company's four high-resolution imaging satellites and image archives. This means that the US government enjoys the "priority right" of these satellites.
"The additional fee paid by the U.S. government to obtain images allows them to decide what to do (satellite) cameras in certain parts of the world," said Chris Quilty Analytics, a market research firm. However, once these images are entered into the gallery, Maxar can be provided to other customers. Kuidi said the U.S. government likes such an arrangement that allows free sharing of valuable intelligence with allies because the NRO cannot release any confidential images on its satellites. He added, “So, yes, there is a commercial service provider that can share non-confidential images, which is very useful."
Space Satellite
Commercial Geospace Business:
has caused the value of space data to soar
According to CCTV News, in fact, from weapons on the ground to satellites in the sky, from intelligence data to technological means, Ukraine has received support from a large number of American commercial companies. Whether it is official instructed or proactive, they have helped the United States achieve remote manipulation of this war.
html In early April, Christopher Scolas, director of the U.S. National Reconnaissance Agency, admitted at a closed-door hearing of the House Armed Services Committee that the US surveillance of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict was supported by these commercial satellite systems. Satellite pictures "can directly flow to important international media, US Army European Command , NATO and Ukraine."According to CCTV News on April 21, after the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, US space exploration technology company (SpaceX) also launched the satellite communication service "Starlink" system in Ukraine. The system claims to be able to use thousands of satellites to achieve military communications, reconnaissance, missile defense , remote-controlled drones and precise positioning. Some analysts say that Ukraine can use the "Starlink" satellite to communicate directly with the US military to achieve tactical data transmission and intelligence sharing.
Maxar's WorldView Legion satellite
In addition, according to Gottier, US intelligence agency also has HawkEye 360 and other companies cooperated, which used satellites to detect radio frequency signal to help identify electronic interference sources that may damage US communications or GPS satellite signals.
In fact, the U.S. government began to vigorously cooperate with commercial satellite companies long before the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Scolas said that in less than three years, this new system has helped US government officials provide a series of detailed intelligence from concept to implementation, involving the development of the situation in Russia and Ukraine, missile launches, possible strategic goals, etc. Scolas said that the cooperation between business and government is extremely Greatly improved efficiency, "beginning to serve the needs of the military and national policy makers almost immediately." Through the new system created by commercial satellite technology, "NATO and the entire world can see military actions before Russia launches an attack in real time." Todd Harrison of the Center for Strategic and International Studies of the United States (CSIS) believes that the widespread use of commercial remote sensing satellites and commercial communication satellites represents a historic change in the nature of war. "I think this is changing the way we fight and allowing the world to see what is happening on the battlefield in a timely manner. It changes the deterrence considerations. "
Gothier said that as a professional intelligence personnel, the power of open source geospatial information is "very surprising." According to foreign media reports, for commercial satellite companies, Ukraine conflict undoubtedly provides an excellent "propaganda opportunity" and makes the world fully aware of the value of space data. It is reported that many venture capital companies are currently competing to deploy satellite and data analysis services. By 2026, the market value of "commercial geospatial business" is expected to grow from US$9 billion today to US$37 billion.
In addition to a large number of intelligence information provided by commercial satellites, in this Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Ukraine also obtained military-grade and clearer satellite photos provided by the United States and other NATO countries.
Red Star News reporter Xu Yan
Editor Pan Li
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