Ohio-based engineering firm Woolpert has secured a two-year contract worth $49.9 million from the US Army to support the Interagency Airborne Technologies for Lidar, Analysis, and Surveying (I-ATLAS) program, a key initiative for coastal mapping and nautical charting across federal agencies.
The I-ATLAS program supplies airborne lidar bathymetry data and analysis to agencies including the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Coast Guard. As part of the contract, Woolpert will provide comprehensive operational and technical support, covering sensor management, data processing, and the production of geospatial outputs from aerial surveys.
The scope of work also includes conducting scientific studies, preparing documentation, and assisting in the upgrade and modification of lidar sensor systems. By using laser-based remote sensing, airborne lidar bathymetry captures both land elevations and shallow-water depths, enabling detailed mapping of coastal and inland water environments.
This data plays a crucial role in supporting dredging operations, monitoring shoreline erosion, tracking sediment movement, assessing flood risks, and maintaining accurate nautical charts for safe navigation. It also supports infrastructure planning, environmental management, and emergency response efforts.
The program has been instrumental in assessing damage and environmental changes following major hurricanes such as Katrina, Sandy, Maria, and Florence. Woolpert, a long-standing partner since 2010, will continue its role in the program until March 2028 under the new contract.
