Detailed Imagery

Daylight Camera

The daylight colour camera is a high definition 16:9 12 Bit video camera. It has a focal view of 30 degrees and a focal range of 8.6 to 154mm meaning it has exceptional zoom capability allowing the aircraft to fly at higher altitudes than old technologies. This permits operations to be conducted discreetly and with a greater margin for safety. The turret assembly, which holds this camera as well as the other vital sensors, is mounted to the aircraft and provides exceptional stability in flight due to internal gyro-stabilisers.

In daylight missions, the colour vision allows for easy asset identification and therefore rapid and accurate analysis of the subject. The colour camera records 4 pixels to display as one “super pixel”, ensuring rich and deep colour, which enhances identification of fine detail. Recording options include video and still images which can be clean or overlaid with mission data. This can be fully customised to suit individual task requirements.

The daylight camera also has a low light sensor, essentially a black and white camera enhanced for operations in minimal light conditions. The lowlight camera uses the same continuous zoom lens as the daylight camera.

The Low Light camera can detect illumination utilised for Night Vision Goggles (NVG). Usually outside the visible spectrum for humans, the frequency range in which this sensor operates allows images to be recorded as if seen through NVG. For years night vision technology was restricted to the military but is becoming more commonplace in surveillance and search operations.

Infrared Camera

The infrared (IR) sensor on the MX-10 is a very sensitive thermal imaging device which captures heat emission levels and depicts this information as a highly detailed video image. It creates a monochromic image with full grey-scale which allows for a very detailed two dimensional image to be captured. The IR camera produces a 4:3 ratio video image.

A three-stepped zoom function permits both wide and narrow focused images. The medium wave IR sensor produces sharp and identifiable images even through haze and smoke. This latest generation technology allows the helicopter to fly at greater altitudes than previously capable and avoid the hazards associated with low-level flight.

One of the IR sensors many applications is to locate hotspots left behind after a fire front, which, if undetected could start new fires. At night this infrared sensor has proven its ability to provide clear and detailed vision in operations involving surveillance and asset protection.