USACE Opens New I-ATLAS Facility for Coastal Mapping and National Defense

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission inaugurated the new I-ATLAS facility in Kiln, Mississippi. I-ATLAS, formerly the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise, focuses on coastal mapping to support civil works and national defense.

The facility aims to enhance navigation for larger vessels, reducing costs for goods transportation. It collaborates with multiple agencies, including the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to maximize benefits for taxpayers and improve U.S. competitiveness.

New capabilities at I-ATLAS include AI-driven data processing and autonomous survey platforms. The facility also supports regional economic growth through STEM-driven career fields and academic partnerships, contributing to the Mississippi Gulf Coast's innovation ecosystem.