RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems and Schiebel Corporation are proud to announce the successful integration of the Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) together with the RIEGL VQ-820-GU hydrographic airborne sensor. This successful integration marked the first time that this new airborne sensor was flown on board of a UAV
The S-100 UAS carried a special Schiebel-made fiberglass pod containing the sensor, the IMU-GNSS unit, the data recording and transfer unit as well as a digital camera during the flight tests in Gromittel, Austria, which were carried out this month. This fully integrated system thus enables acquisition of high-accuracy hydrographic and topographic data, even in critical operational areas.
The RIEGL VQ-820-GU is specifically designed to survey sea beds, the grounds of rivers or lakes and is well suited for combined land and hydrographic airborne survey. Fields of application include mapping of coastal lines, lakesides and riverbanks as well as mapping of archaeology and cultural heritage.
These fields of applications require repetitive surveying of inshore waters and are usually carried out by manned helicopters. The advantage of using the unmanned CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS over manned helicopters are that the system is uniquely capable of penetrating areas that may be too dangerous for piloted aircraft or ground patrols. This can provide additional safety and security for its users. Constant real-time information is acquired 24/7 without any need for prepared areaand launch and/or recovery support equipment, due to the integrated systems powerful surveillance capabilities. This drone system operates day and night, under adverse weather conditions, with a beyond line-of-sight capability of up to 200 km, both on land and at sea. The S-100 UAS is also far more cost-effective than any manned alternative.
These clear advantages and complete integration of the RIEGL VQ 820 GU and the SchiebThe S-100 UAS carried a special Schiebel-made fiberglass pod containing the sensor, the IMU-GNSS unit, the data recording and transfer unit as well as a digital camera during the flight tests in Gromittel, Austria, which were carried out this month. This fully integrated system thus enables acquisition of high-accuracy hydrographic and topographic data, even in critical operational areas.
The RIEGL VQ-820-GU is specifically designed to survey sea beds, the grounds of rivers or lakes and is well suited for combined land and hydrographic airborne survey. Fields of application include mapping of coastal lines, lakesides and riverbanks as well as mapping of archaeology and cultural heritage.
These fields of applications require repetitive surveying of inshore waters and are usually carried out by manned helicopters. The advantage of using the unmanned CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS over manned helicopters are that the system is uniquely capable of penetrating areas that may be too dangerous for piloted aircraft or ground patrols. This can provide additional safety and security for its users. Constant real-time information is acquired 24/7 without any need for prepared area el unmanned CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS provides a new and innovative solution for airborne scanning to be done with unmanned aerial vehicles.
Dr. Johannes Riegl, RIEGL CEO, commented, We are proud to have succeeded with this first integration of our bathymetric laser scanner with the Schiebel UAS. This high-end solution proves again RIEGLs strive for excellence with delivering outstanding, market leading solutions.
Hans Georg Schiebel, Schiebel Industries AG director, commented, The combination of this extraordinary powerful and precise laser scanner in combination with the S-100 allows swift and accurate mapping of remote areas and will prove valuable in applications such as for mining, exploration and construction.
About Riegl
With more than 30 years of experience in the research, development and production of laser rangefinders, distance meters and scanners RIEGL delivers proven innovations in 3D. The combination of RIEGL ‘s state-of-the-art hardware for terrestrial (static), mobile (kinematic), airborne and industrial laser scanning with appropriate, equally innovative RIEGL software packages for data acquisition and processing results in powerful solutions for multiple fields of application. Located in Horn, an attractive small town in Lower Austria, around 85 km northwest of the Austrian capital Vienna, the RIEGL headquarters are right in the heart of the European Union, with good transport connections in all directions. Worldwide sales, training, support, and services are delivered from RIEGL‘s Austrian headquarters and its offices in Vienna and Salzburg, main offices in USA and in Japan, and by a worldwide network of representatives covering Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa.
For more information, visit www.riegl.com
About Schiebel:
Founded in 1951, the Vienna-based Schiebel Group of companies focuses on the development, testing and production of state-of-the-art mine detection equipment and the revolutionary CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS). Schiebel has built an international reputation for producing quality defense and humanitarian products, which are backed by exceptional after-sales service and support. Since 2010 Schiebel offers the new division composite and is able to supply high-tech customers with this high-quality carbon fiber technology. All products are quality-controlled to meet ISO 9001 standards. With headquarters in Vienna (Austria), Schiebel now maintains production facilities in Wiener Neustadt (Austria), and Abu Dhabi (UAE), as well as offices in Washington DC (USA), and Phnom Penh (Cambodia).
For more information, visit www.schiebel.net
About the RIEGL VQ-820-GU:
The RIEGL VQ-820-GU is specifically designed for combined land and hydrographic airborne survey of coastlines and shallow waters. The scanner provides up to 280 kHz Pulse Repetition Rate (PRR), high scanning speed of up to 200 lines/sec, a 60 FOV, and a low beam divergence of 1 mrad. Data acquisition of underwater topography is carried out with a narrow, visible green laser beam. Depending on water turbidity the system allows measuring into water providing 1 Secchi depth water penetration. The instrument performs echo digitization and online waveform processing to handle target situations with complex multiple echo signals by giving access to detailed target parameters. The seamless integration with RIEGLs software packages is the basis for efficient acquisition, registration and processing of high-accuracy topographic and hydrographic laser scan data. Equipped with RiACQUIRE Embedded and a special interface configuration, it is tailored to the application onboard a UAV.
This October the scanner was awarded with the MAPPS/ASPRS Geospatial Excellence Award as Technology Innovation 2012.
About the CAMCOPTER S-100:
Schiebels CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) is a proven capability for military and civilian applications. The Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAS needs no prepared area or supporting launch or recovery equipment. It operates in day and night, under adverse weather conditions, with a beyond line-of-sight capability out to 200 km, both on land and at sea. The S-100 navigates via pre-programmed GPS waypoints or is operated with a pilot control unit. Missions are planned and controlled via a simple point-and-click graphical user interface. High definition payload imagery is transmitted to the control station in real time. Using "fly-by-wire" technology controlled by a triple-redundant flight computer, the UAV can complete its mission automatically. Its carbon fiber and titanium fuselage provides capacity for a wide range of payload/endurance combinations up to a service ceiling of 18,000 ft. In its standard configuration, the CAMCOPTER S-100 carries a 75 lbs/34 kg payload up to 10 hours and is powered with AVGas or heavy fuel.