[gdal-dev] Is there a FACE Conformant version of GDAL and its DTED drivers?

[Greg Troxel]

Ethan Payne via gdal-dev <gdal-dev at lists.osgeo.org> writes:

> I'm currently assisting with a project that involves using DTED files
> to analyze terrain and elevation. As this project adheres to the FACE
> Technical Standard and must meet FACE Conformance requirements, I
> wanted to inquire whether there is a version of GDAL configured to
> comply with the FACE Technical Standard.

I have been on the gdal list for many years and also have considerable
familiarity with US government software development and procurement
practices.  I had never heard of the FACE Technical Standard before your
message.  Having looked it up, my guess is that no one contributing to
gdal has heard of it either.  I was also not aware of TOG working in
this area.

It seems that even looking at this document requires registering, and
that usually does not go over well in the Free Software world.

Free Software projects are essentially never willing to perform
evaluations against standards like this and to claim conformance.

> Any guidance or recommendations you can provide would be greatly
> appreciated. Thank you for your time.

I am guessing that you are breaking new ground with this requirement,
and I suspect you need a consultant skilled in writing documents about
how particular open-source source software versions meet the
requirements in standards defined by the military-industrial complex,
essentially providing a conformance certification service.

My other advice is to avoid requests for help, that, if help were
provided by someone not in the US, would constitute providing a defense
service under the laws of their jurisdiction.  I realize you are almost
certainly well trained in ITAR compliance; my point is to think about
when the shoe is on the other foot.

Greg