The Introduction of GeoSE - The Swedish Geographical Information Support Establishment

Author: Gilbert Nohlin
Organization: Swedish Armed Forces

HQ
SE-107 85 STOCKHOLM, SE-107 85
Sweden

Phone: +46 8 788 8638
Fax: +46 8 788 7596
gilbert.nohlin@hkv.mil.se

The last decade and a half have seen an extraordinary development in the field of GIS and digital mapping within the Swedish Armed Forces. Systems introduced during this period have required more and more digital geographical information and that to a higher level of complexity. Systems are found in all branches of the Armed Services and cover all levels and functions from C3I, EW, weapon, navigation etc. They could be common (joint) to all branches or unique down to single weapon system platform. The need for digital information delivered in a controlled fashion is higher then ever before.

The Swedish Armed Forces have no topo-corps i.e. there is no equivalence to Mil Survey (UK) or to NIMA (US) when all traditional mapping has been handled by primarily civilian agencies such as The Swedish National Land Survey, The Swedish Hydrographic Office and The Swedish Geological Survey. A transition at these agencies into digital production of maps and information has made it possible to introduce digital systems into the Armed Services but the lack of a Mil agency has mad the inflow of data somewhat unstructured.

In the early nineties two groups where established, one at the Swedish Defense Material Administration (FMV) and one within the Swedish Navy. These two groups have worked with land and sea information respectively trying to coordinate system development, end-user requirements, procurement issues, standardization etc with a varying degree of success. The present system has proven inadequate to deal with the increased demands from the user community and this has led to the formation of GeoSE.

GeoSE is established within the Swedish National Land Survey, as an independent unit dedicated to the procurement of all geographical information required by the Swedish Armed Forces. The products delivered to various Armed Forces systems will be adapted to fit directly into the specific system without any need for additional treatment. The execution of the decided formation started in November 1999 and system-start is planed for August 2000.
The staff is initially set to 15 persons containing a mix of civilian GIT specialists and military personnel.

The presentation includes the background, organization and GeoSE primary tasks.