The purpose of this thesis is to conduct the research necessary to develop integrated 3D terrain maps capable of supporting an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Flight Mission Control Support System. In this work, the author has tried to explore the feasibility of exploiting digital topographic maps and further understanding of the digital terrain support available to UAV FMCSS developers. This thesis explores numerous digital terrain data representations and tools available to create digital environments. This work examines and gives a methodology how to find, process, and operate in these environments. To accomplish this, the author explores the more general problem of where to find the data, what tools are available, and how to put the pieces together to create a registered digital environment on a state-of-the-art computer. This work provides a logical construct and design methodology for an analyst to create high fidelity terrain data sets. It functions as a â how toâ manual to help analysts understand which information and tools are available to use for different types of simulation projects.