What is the purpose of Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED)?

Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) serves primarily to facilitate various applications in terrain analysis and modeling, particularly for military and aviation use. Its main purpose is to provide accurate elevation information that can aid in understanding the terrain's impact on operational capabilities.

DTED is crucial for communications analysis because it helps in determining the line of sight between communication systems, which is essential for both tactical and strategic planning. In the context of military operations, understanding terrain elevation allows for better placement of antennas and ensures reliable communication throughout the operational area. The elevation data can also inform decisions such as route planning for aircraft, optimizing connectivity while minimizing the risk of interception or signal degradation.

While visual mapping, satellite tracking, and electronic warfare have their own sets of requirements, they do not utilize DTED as fundamentally as communications analysis does. Visual mapping might use elevation data but is generally broader in its requirements. Similarly, while terrain data can support operations in electronic warfare and satellite tracking, it is not the primary purpose of DTED. Thus, communications analysis is the most accurate reflection of DTED's key application.