In Understanding Megacities with the Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Intelligence Paradigm: Topical Strategic Multi-Layer Assessment (SMA) and U.S. Army Engineer Research Development Center (ERDC) White Papers in Support of National Security Challenges (2014)

The most challenging operational requirement in localized social-cultural situation assessment (SCSA) is to provide timely, local information for tactical operators often located in remote, often hostile, small towns and villages, and potentially denied areas. This challenge has led us to investigate the non-traditional concept of collecting SCSA data using in-situ sensors. Our approach is to use this data to update local models and reason about changes in the local AO’s atmospheric state in terms of grounded social-cultural and PMESII variables and Pattern of Life event anomalies. In this paper, we provide an overview of the insights provided by this system, its theoretical underpinnings, and the sensor processing techniques employed. Based on lessons learned from this effort, we also present a collection of critical research and operational gaps related to the Megacity-RSI effort.