SPECIAL REPORT: STABILISED IMAGING AND VIDEO PROCESSING SYSTEMS FOR SMALL TACTICAL UAVS
Foreword T
he leading edge of the innovative world of
payloads are the topic of the third piece in
highly engineered sensor payloads for UAS
this report. The stabilised imaging and video
imaging systems is the subject of this Special
processing systems that many of the UAS carry
Report. The surge in demand and spending in the
are valued by all the armed forces in the United
United States and elsewhere for the latest UAS
States. And to their credit, the stabilised imaging
systems with the latest imaging system payloads
sensors proved themselves well in action during
is strong, despite cutbacks in defence spending in
last year’s Libyan ‘Odyssey Dawn’ responsibility
North America and Western Europe.
to protect campaign.
This Special Report opens with an article that
Initiating innovation in next generation stabilised
examines the developments in airborne imaging
imaging and video processing systems for small
systems from the complex, heavy duty, rather
tactical UAVs is the theme of the fourth article. In the
massive payloads, designed for manned aircraft,
highly competitive world of technology innovation,
to small imaging systems that can be carried by
many companies are working hard to better the
unmanned robotic or piloted aircraft. However, the
challenging criteria presented by the military.
benefits of these small UAVs are offset by limited
Peering into the future of an uncertain world is
payload capability and, over the last 8 years,
always problematic. But the consequences of the
engineers have continuously developed more
rise of China and the growth of Asian economies
powerful, stabilised sensors for these popular
are casting a shadow over how the United States is
airframes. With the demand for better visual
preparing to place its forces globally. This in turn is
acuity, working within constrained power budgets,
impacting on how and where UAS, now a primary
designers have strived towards more pixels per unit
tool of the armed forces, will be used. Enterprising
area on the ground and better stability.
technologists are also improving their capabilities
The second article in this report looks at the levels
to play to these new demands. But smaller, lighter
of interest and spending on these new systems.
and less power-hungry payloads appear to be a
Indeed, the way the detailed real time images of
strong trend in future imaging systems.
people and events are being used is changing the way both insurgents and ISAF forces are operating. STUAS (Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and their stabilised imaging and video processing
Mary Dub Editor
Mary Dub has covered the defence field in the United States and the UK as a television broadcaster, journalist and conference manager.
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