Topographic Survey for Military Radar Site Development

Topographic survey for a radar site development (TACMOR)

Client

Cape Environmental, TG Engineers and US Military

Project Type

Topographic Mapping

Location

Angaur, Palau

Project Overview

As part of a military radar development project in Angaur, Palau, 2cofly partnered with TG Engineers to conduct a high-precision topographic survey over a 100-acre site. Utilizing both LiDAR and photogrammetry, we provided the project stakeholders with accurate elevation data, terrain mapping, and high-resolution aerial imagery to support infrastructure planning, site grading, and construction design.

This mission was critical in ensuring that the radar installation was positioned optimally, taking into account terrain elevation, accessibility, and environmental considerations.

The Challenge

Military radar sites require precise terrain modeling for optimal placement and stability, but the Angaur site presented several challenges:

Remote Location & Limited Accessibility – Traditional surveying would have required extensive on-site personnel, increasing cost and time.
Dense Vegetation & Uneven Terrain – Mapping through forested and hilly landscapes required advanced aerial scanning capabilities.
High-Accuracy Data Requirements – The project needed centimeter-level accuracy for site grading and construction planning.

To overcome these challenges, 2cofly deployed a drone-based LiDAR and photogrammetry survey, drastically reducing the time and labor required for accurate data collection.

Approach & Methodology

Advanced LiDAR & Photogrammetry Survey

✔ LiDAR Scanning for Elevation Accuracy – Penetrated vegetation to capture true ground elevation for grading and planning.

✔ Photogrammetry for High-Resolution Imagery – Created a detailed orthomosaic map for project visualization and site documentation.

Collaboration with TG Engineers

✔ Ground Control Points (GCPs) for Precision – TG Engineers provided survey-grade control points, ensuring absolute geospatial accuracy.

Deliverables Provided

✔ 3D LiDAR Point Cloud – A high-density spatial dataset for engineering analysis.

✔ Digital Elevation Model (DEM) – Accurate topographic representation for site planning.

✔ 1’ Contour Map – Elevation data critical for grading and infrastructure layout.

✔ High-Resolution Orthomosaic Map – Georeferenced imagery for site documentation and planning.

Results & Project Impact

✔ Faster & More Efficient Data CollectionUsing drones, 2cofly completed the 100-acre survey in a fraction of the time, compared to traditional ground-based surveying methods.

✔ High-Precision Data for Radar PlacementThe survey results provided engineers with accurate terrain modeling, ensuring the military radar system is optimally positioned for operational efficiency.

✔ Cost Savings & Minimal Environmental ImpactBy eliminating the need for extensive manual surveying, drone technology reduced the overall cost and minimized disruption to the natural landscape of Angaur.

Conclusion

This topographic survey for the Angaur military radar site highlights 2cofly’s expertise in large-scale aerial mapping for defense, infrastructure, and engineering projects. By leveraging LiDAR and photogrammetry, we delivered high-accuracy data to support mission-critical planning, optimize radar placement, and accelerate construction timelines.

For organizations requiring military-grade surveying, LiDAR mapping, or remote site assessments, 2cofly provides cutting-edge drone solutions designed for accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

2cofly (pronounced Ecofly) is Micronesia's leading drone service and education provider. Our core competency lies in remote sensing via various sensing technologies such as photogrammetry, LiDAR, thermal and more.

Few key deliverables we can output with our drones & sensors: