Air Target Services
Airborne Remote Sensing News & Updates
This page shall
provide you with updated news and information on our current and planned
airborne remote sensing activities, along with details of other related
airborne projects. Please contact us directly if you require further
information or wish to be involved with future planned deployments.
News & Updates
Current & Proposed Remote Sensing Flights
Air Target Services has recently completed
modifications to a Cessna 414A aircraft (VH-DUA) to supplement the existing
Learjet aircraft for remote sensing operations. The Cessna 414 will allow a
flight capability, initially for the Daedalus 1268 Line Scanner system, in
certain high resolution data applications currently unachievable with the
Learjet.
The Cessna 414A is a low-wing pressurised aircraft, able to service operating
altitudes to 22,000 ft. Installation of the Daedalus scanner head within a
pressure dome assembly allows for full cabin pressurisation in high altitude
operations, without limiting crew comfort or safety.
The Daedalus 1268
scanner installed in VH-DUA.
Air Target Services have manufactured a
wholly Australian designed multi-purpose airborne equipment pod for their Learjet
operations. The 'AIRPOD' is designed to carry instrument packages beneath
special mission variants of the Learjet 35/36 series of aircraft. The pod is
designed to attach to a standard NATO 14 inch stores rack and can support a
maximum payload of 325kg. Four removable 19 inch equipment racks are fitted
internally, with mounting spaces provided at the front and rear for antenna or
sensor suites.
The AIRPOD fitted to
a Learjet aircraft.
ATS have custom modified a version of the
AIRPOD for installation of their Daedalus 1268 Line Scanner system. The Pod
enabling rapid configuration and de-configuration of the equipment in the
aircraft, allowing the aircraft to maintain a multi-purpose role. The AIRPOD
has been designed to allow installation of a variety of airborne equipment,
whether it be operational equipment or for research and development related
tasks. The unique design of the AIRPOD provides the ability to fly the aircraft
with equipment at near sea level and to 40,000 ft. without the need for
expensive fuselage modifications. The company decided to develop its own pod
based on earlier experience in working with Marquadt of the United States in
developing a wing mounted reeling machine for use in aircraft-based tow target
training operations. The AIRPOD was first flown beneath a Learjet during test
flights in the United States in late January 2000, and gained full flight
certification clearances on 23 February. Further test flights have also been conducted
in Nowra.
The AIRPOD during
flight trials in Nowra, NSW.
The Air Target Services Line scanner
service was utilised extensively by the NSW Rural Fire Services during the December/January
bushfire emergency in NSW earlier this year. The Line Scanner service, known as
the "AIRFIRE" service for bushfire mapping and detection flights, was
used to detect and locate fires over large areas throughout NSW. Due to a large number of active fires, thick
dense smoke restricted the ability for firefighters to gain positional
information of these fires using conventional visual resources. The thermal
imaging capability of the line scanner provides a unique means of mapping or
locating fires from a high altitude, through dense smoke day or night. The
Cessna 414, initially used in the early stages of the emergency, was replaced
by the Learjet, due to the requirement for a more rapid, statewide imaging
capability. In a single flight sortie of 4 hours, the Learjet was able to map
fires on the far south coast, the far north coast and central western
districts.
Preparing
to depart on an early evening sortie from Bankstown Airport.
|
|
The
Learjet undergoing final preparation prior to departure from Richmond Airport.
|
|
The image data, containing both Infra-red
and visible spectrum data, was delivered to the RFS headquarters in Rosehill
where accurate fire progress maps were produced. By combining IR and Visible data, accurate fire information is available
immediately, with the ability to determine burnt areas accurately and fire
intensity through post-processing of the image data.
An example of imagery used to accurately locate active fires. Fire boundaries and spotting are clearly
defined. Smoke direction is seen, with cloud being present on the image. This
image was captured from an altitude of 23,000 ft.
|
|
The following photos were taken during the line scanner missions.
Intense fires burn in
the Blue Mountains region.
|
|
The
Shoalhaven area. Large area fire with smoke being back blown by afternoon
seabreeze. (Learjet 38,000ft.)
|
|
The
height of the emergency, Sydney urban area affected by bushfire and smoke.
(Cessna 414 22,000ft.)
|
|
Blue Mountains region fire. (Learjet 38,000ft.)
|
|
Lake Burragorang fire, looking north over Blue
Mountains region. (Learjet 38,000ft.)
|
|
Shoalhaven
fire. Affecting Christmas holiday makers on the South Coast (Learjet
38,000ft.)
|
|
The Air Target
Services "AIRFIRE" service is available to fire authorities
throughout Australia and internationally. With the Learjet and Cessna 414
aircraft available, all known requirements for airborne reconnaissance can be
cost effectively achieved.
For further information on the "AIRFIRE" service please visit our
website at www.airtargets.com.au/airfire2.html.
