Upcoming Release: GGDM 4.0
The next release of the Ground-Warfighter Geospatial Data Model (GGDM), version 4.0, will be derived from the Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) and tailored to supporrt operational needs. GGDM 4.0 will profile DGIF entities for the warfighter and extend them to meet U.S. Department of Defense requirements.
This release represents a major architectural shift away from reliance on the National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG) Application Schema (NAS) and toward the internationally managed DGIF, reflecting its adoption by NATO, MGCP, and FVEY partners. Alignment with DGIF will improve interoperability, increase efficiency, and enhance the quality of multinational data exchange.
All GGDM versions prior to 4.0 remain aligned to the National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG) Application Schema (NAS). NAS remains the authoritative baseline for all legacy GGDM releases and operational datasets derived from them. The transition to DGIF applies only to GGDM 4.0 and future versions.
Future versions may expand to include enterprise content such as high-resolution urban data, modeling and simulation, installations, tactical information, and other specialized mission requirements. The U.S. Army Geospatial Center (AGC) manages all versions of GGDM.
About GGDM
The Ground-Warfighter Geospatial Data Model (GGDM) is the U.S. Army and Marine Corps standard schema for ground-warfighter geospatial data. It provides a structured framework to manage entities, concepts, relationships, and data lineage. GGDM is distributed by AGC in Esri File Geodatabase format.
The schema supports:
- Features (roads, rivers, buildings, fences, bridges)
- Attributes (function, height, type, condition, status)
- Metadata (accuracy, origin, classification)
GGDM provides the logical structure required to ensure consistency, traceability, and interoperability across Mission Command systems.
About AGC and the Army Geospatial Enterprise
The U.S. Army Geospatial Center (AGC) leads the Army Geospatial Enterprise (AGE), which delivers the standards, governance, and technology used to acquire, manage, and share geospatial data across the Army. The AGE is built on an integrated architecture that establishes common requirements and interfaces for geospatial systems.
GGDM is a core component of the AGE. It provides a consistent framework for collecting, maintaining, and distributing vector data used by Mission Command systems. This standards-based approach preserves data integrity and enables reliable exchange with joint, allied, and commercial partners.
Modern operations require the integration of national, allied, and commercial data sources under time-critical and contested conditions. Without common data models and definitions, geospatial data become siloed, duplicative, and costly to maintain. GGDM addresses these challenges through an interoperable logical data model, authoritative data dictionary, and standardized physical databases that reduce cost, enable reuse, and accelerate technology transition.