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Airborne Imaging - TerraHawk System

 

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TerraHawk Imaging System

 

In recent years CAST has expanded its remote sensing abilities by acquiring new instruments including a Terrahawk aerial imaging system. The TerraHawk system, in conjunction with a DuncanTech multispectral camera, provides CAST researchers with greater versatility and the ability to conduct refined research in precision agriculture, forestry, rapid response techniques for emergency management, and other areas where near-real-time imagery is critical. 

Small, compact, enclosed in a case for portability, the TerraHawkTM Aerial Imaging System is an integrated turnkey or complete multi-spectral imaging system for easy-to-use practical application in production agriculture and natural resource management.  Features include industrial computer, camera automation, navigation software, GPS integration, and roll, pitch, and yaw camera stabilization.

The TerraHawkTM  Model 0100 unit with its DragonFly program is designed to operate Red Lake/Duncan Technologies cameras: models MS2100, MS2150, MS3100, MS4000, and MS4100; and is for mounting inside an aircraft fitted with an appropriate camera port.  The unit must be secured to the aircraft during flight. TerraHawk can be used in some external camera pods by custom configuration. 

 

The TerraHawkTM system is designed to be roll, pitch, and yaw compensating, to maintain camera position at or near vertical NADIR view and camera alignment to GPS heading at a cost far less than other alternatives.  For more information on the TerraHawk sysytem see the TerraHawk user guide. See these links to learn more about multispectral cameras in general and the DuncanTech MS4100 in particular.

  

In the spring of 2008 much of Arkansas experienced  catastrophic flooding. The TerraHawk imaging system was used to capture the extent of this flooding over much of the Mississippi River Valley. Though the TerraHawk system is not designed for large-scale data collection, the collected images, after processing, offer  valuable insight about flooding patterns in this region. This mission was also important because it was a test of the system's ability to implented at short notice in an emergency management situation.The image belowshows flooding extent witin the Dagmar Wildlife Management Area near Brinkley, Arkansas.

 Example of TerraHawk over Dagmar WMA