Hyperspectral sensor payload for unmanned aerial vehicles and manned aircraft introduced by Headwall Photonics

Headwall Photonics Inc. in Fitchburg, Mass., is introducing the Micro-Hyper spec integrated airborne hyperspectralelectro-optical sensor for manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Typical uses for hyperspectralsensing from aircraft include precision agriculture, oil and gas exploration, forestry management, and environmental monitoring.

The core element comprises Headwall’s Micro-Hyper spec 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 Hyper spec 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.