Simulations and Command and Control (C2) systems share a common need for high quality, correlated, and consistent geospatial data. The Simulation and C2 communities have robust processes for integrating data from multiple sources and multiple processes that exist within each community. Development of correlated databases is very expensive. However, opportunities to share and reuse this integrated data across C2 and simulation communities are largely unmet, resulting in duplicative data production and missed cost avoidance opportunities. The obstacles and resultant lost opportunities are most commonly a lack of knowledge and understanding of the production processes used and the integrated data that is produced by these processes, owing to a general lack of documentation, visibility, and access. There are both technical and policy challenges in coordinating co-production between organizations as well as establishing effective repositories supporting reuse. Differences in data standards are also contributing factors.

This paper describes the results of a U.S. Army Simulation to Mission Command Interoperability Overarching Integrated Product Team (SIMCI OIPT) Geospatial Initiative Stakeholder's Workshop focusing on aligning terrain database generation processes between these communities. Key recommendations from the workshop include the need for 1) a common framework for aligning terrain database production processes, 2) data generation process documentation to support reuse and 3) mechanisms for improving visibility and accessibility of terrain data. These recommendations share the common goal of improving data reuse and realizing the resulting cost savings from a shared production capability. While the initiative that produced these results was convened under the U.S. Army, the same opportunities exist across the DoD Services and across partner nations.