Hyperspectral sensor payload for UAVs and manned aircraft introduced by Headwall

Nov. 12, 2013
FITCHBURG, Mass., 12 Nov. 2013. Headwall Photonics Inc. in Fitchburg, Mass., is introducing the Micro-Hyperspec integrated airborne hyperspectral electro-optical sensor for manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
FITCHBURG, Mass., 12 Nov. 2013. Headwall Photonics Inc. in Fitchburg, Mass., is introducing the Micro-Hyperspec integrated airborne hyperspectral electro-optical sensor for manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Typical uses for hyperspectral electro-optical sensing from aircraft include precision agriculture, oil and gas exploration, forestry management, and environmental monitoring.

The core element comprises Headwall's Micro-Hyperspec hyperspectral sensor, which is based on the company's patented aberration-corrected sensor design. Aberration-corrected diffractive optics enables the sensor to achieve performance, high signal-to-noise characteristics, wide field-of-view, and high spatial and spectral resolution, company officials say.

Headwall engineers designed the hyperspectral airborne configuration to optimize configuration size, weight, and power (SWaP). Elements include a GPS unit, a compact, lightweight Hyperspec data processing unit, and airborne-specific hyperspectral software providing image acquisition, sensor control, and synchronization for flight-plan efficiency.

Every element is optimized for airborne use, in platforms ranging from small, hand-launched UAVs to fixed-wing aircraft and multi-rotor airframes.

For more information contact Headwall Photonics online at www.headwallphotonics.com.

About the Author

John Keller | Editor

John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.

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