ITT is introducing new Wide Area Airborne Surveillance (WAAS) sensor architecture and a special WAAS payload at the AUVSI 2010 exhibition opened today in Denver, CO. The new architecture enables the warfighter to access collection of data from multiple sources. The new stabilized multi-megapixel-class day/night payload designated WAAS-W comprises a turret sensor designed to operate with the new architecture.
WAAS-W generates multiple high resolution views of specific regions, simultaneously, across the payload’s widest footprint, enabling users to track multiple targets in different parts of the field of view. The system enables the user to instantly obtain high resolution, detailed images sufficient to track dismounts. The payload uses two separate imagers, 160 day/night imager and 64 megapixel mid-wave infrared imagers covering a wide field of view with fixed optics, producing two simultaneous feeds updated at a rate of several frames per second.
In August 2010 ITT has delivered several WAAS type payloads to the U.S. Air Force, to be fitted on MQ-9 Reaper drones, as part of project ‘Gorgon Stare’, providing aerial persistent surveillance over wide area, in support of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan.
For more information on WAAS see also Defense Update article “Night Eyes for the Constant Hawk” published 19 September, 2009.
We also suggest the coverage of ITT’s “Broad Area Persistent Surveillance System” on Defense-Update.
