A survey of the state-of-the-art in the evaluation of natural terrain by earth-science techniques and measurement systems is presented in response to a need that existed for many years. This report considers the terrain as an envelope of the environment and all related parameters that are basic in an evaluation for relevant military applications such as unimproved landing areas, trafficability, site selection for operational facilities, terrain reconnaissance and surveillance, and target detection within a masked terrain complex. Methods of terrain-data acquisition, analysis, and evaluation and their limitations are reviewed. The status of research and development, specifying the gaps in technology, is summarized with accompanying conclusions. The report forecasts the requirement for an automated terrain-data acquisition, storage, and display system. Information pertaining to the classification of terrain data, field devices to measure bearing strength, and a visualized optimum remote sensing system is also given in the appendix. A glossary and a comprehensive bibliography are included. (Author).

Contents: Reports from U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station and St. Paul District Hydraulic Laboratory; Reports published and distributed by Waterways Experiment Station for other Corps of Engineers agencies; Engineer manuals.

1919/28 cumulation includes material previously issued in the 1919/20-1935/36 issues and also material not published separately for 1927/28. 1929/39 cumulation includes material previously issued in the 1929/30-1935/36 issues and also material for 1937-39 not published separately.