12 Aug 13. GE Intelligent Platforms announced the ADEPT3100 rugged miniature automatic video tracking and image stabilization solution at AUVSI. By providing a proven, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution, the ADEPT3100 can help reduce program risk and cost and minimize time-to-market. Designed specifically for environments in which size, weight and power are severely constrained – such as small autonomous platforms and man-portable devices –the ADEPT3100 builds on the success of the ADEPT3000 with additional functionality and improved ease of use. Combining video tracking and image stabilization in a single device provides improved tracking performance and superior image quality, as well as reducing cost. It is fully rugged, enabling the ADEPT3100 to survive the harshest commercial and military deployments. Despite its extremely small size – at 34mm x 24mm, it is approximately the size of a microprocessor, providing optimum flexibility in board location – the ADEPT3100 sacrifices nothing in terms of performance or functionality. It can operate with PAL or NTSC analog video signals, and incorporates on-board serial links, allowing it to interface to most platforms. The ADEPT3100 is designed for easy configuration and device control with an intuitive web-based interface.
15 Aug 13. A partnership between a General Dynamics unit and an
Australian detection system aims to improve tacking and analysis of small moving targets for deployed forces. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GD-AIS) and Australia’s Sentient Vision Systems will integrate Sentient’s Kestrel land moving target indication and Kestrel Maritime automatic target detection software into the Tactical Multi-INT Analysis and Archive System (TAC-MAAS) full-motion video exploitation system. TAC-MAAS, a development of the strategic MAAS system, offers real-time and near real-time target analysis to deployed forces. It provides full-motion video capture, archive and exploitation capabilities. It makes use of the D-VEX software developed in Australia by General Dynamics Mediaware, a part of GD-AIS. TAC-MAAS allows operators to enhance full-motion video received off platforms, such as unmanned vehicles, by tagging and analyzing events in real-time. The integration of the Kestrel Land and Maritime software will allow detection of small moving targets. The two companies have previously collaborated to produce a processing, exploitation and dissemination system for Australia’s RQ-7B Shadow 200 UAV, deployed operationally in Afghanistan, and in June signed a technical partnership agreement. (Source: Defense News)
15 Aug 13. Headwall Photonics in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, specializes in spectral imaging. The sensors it makes can detect — very sharply and from great distance — light wavelength patterns that are imperceptible to the human eye. The company’s technology has military and government intelligence applications. For example, they are part of reconnaissance satellites that can see from 65,000 feet up and hand-held battlefield sensors that can clearly distinguish a camouflaged enemy a kilometer away. Yet demand for Headwall’s products is increasing from commercial customers, according to Christopher Van Veen, who handles marketing for the company. For example, a hyperspectral imaging sensor placed in a Cessna and flown over agricultural land can gauge irrigation patterns, detect disease in plants, or identify by a spectral or chemical “fingerprint” prime acreage for planting certain crops, Mr. Van Veen said. The University of Tasmania last year flew one of the company’s sensors in an unmanned “octo-copter” over Antarctica to study environmental conditions there, he said. Another client uses Headwall sensors in a food-packaging plant to spot stems or foreign objects in berries on a conveyor belt. (Source: UAS VISION)
14 Aug 13. Neya Systems LLC has introduced two new unmanned systems standards-compliant H.264 video compression hardware products, UxS