ROHNERT PARK, Calif., Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Arcturus UAV says it has test-flown a sensor system capable of high-resolution 2-D and 3-D image capture on a medium-range unmanned aerial vehicle.
The sensor system, GeoDragon, is enclosed in a wing-mounted pod. It can create 3-D reconstructions in near-real time and output high-resolution digital elevation models, LIDAR-like datasets, and wide area maps.
Acrturus UAV said GeoDragon adds "significant" capabilities to its T-20 unmanned aerial vehicle.
The T-20, which does not need a runway for takeoff or landing, is a Tier II class tactical UAV for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, including aerial mapping. Payloads include daylight and infrared cameras. An onboard GPS autopilot with waypoint navigation accepts multiple flight plans from a ground control station, allowing the T-20 to return to a specified location autonomously after as much as 16 hours of flight.
The aircraft uses a 190cc air-cooled, four-stroke fuel injected engine and is made of carbon fiber composite. It can carry payloads of as much as 65 pounds.
Acrturus UAV said its T-20 with integrated GeoDragon will be released to the market this year.
