Aerial Imaging

Airborne LiDAR – Phoenix LiDAR Systems AL3-16

Phoenix LiDAR Systems AL3-16 mounted on a DJI Matrice 600 Pro hexacopter. The AL3-16 uses a Velodyne VLP-16 sensor, combined with a KVH 1725 FOG (fiber-optic gyro) IMU and an RTK/PPK system for high-precision positioning and orientation. This system may also be mounted on other vehicles. Navigation/flight software: Litchi. Control/procesing software: Phoenix proprietary.

Cinestar 8 Kopter

Cinestar 8 Kopter, custom built inhouse for remote aerial survey and imaging. This remote controlled helicopter is perfect for small area surveys using thermal imaging or aerial imaging cameras, as well as other small data collection devices. It can be operated by remote control or programmed to follow a preset flight path autonomously.

Flexible sUAS platforms

the following offer flexibility for custom payloads:
• DJI Spreading Wings S900 hexacopter. 2.5-pound payload capacity.
• Freefly Cinestar 8 octocopter w/ 3-axis gimbal that can be controlled by second controller. Older, medium-lift platform, will carry a DSLR.
• DJI Matrice 600 Pro hexacopter, with or without a DJI Ronin MX heavy-duty gimbal. Heavy-lift, 12.5-pound payload, less weight of gimbal. The fully-adjustable Ronin MX has a separate remote control and was designed for the Epic RED 4k professional camera.
• 3DR Solo quadcopter. Small, easily customized, and supported in the DIY world. Very versatile navigation/flight software (Solex, Tower, Mission Planner).

Multi-spectral imaging – Parrot Sequoia

Parrot Sequoia multi-spectral sensor with sunlight sensor and calibration; four narrow-band 1.2 megapixel sensors (green, red, red-edge, near infrared) and a 16 megapixel RGB camera. Mounting options include DJI Inspire 1 Pro and 3DR Solo quadcopters. Navigation/flight software: varies by platform. Control/processing software: Pix4D, Agisoft Metashape (formerly Photoscan).

Nikon D200 IR

The Nikon D200, altered to operate as an IR sensor, can be mounted on airborne platforms. This device can be used as an effective means of thermal mapping on archaeological sites.

Palm IR Sensor

The palm IR thermal imager is a single band thermal imaging system. This device has proved effective in various archeological mapping efforts.

RGB video, photography, survey [multi-rotor] – DJI Zenmuse X5

DJI Zenmuse X5 Micro Four Thirds gimbal-mounted camera w/ 15mm autofocus lens (interchangeable). Mounted on DJI Inspire 1 Pro quadcopter. Navigation/flight software: for aerial survey applications - Litchi, UgCS, other DJI-compatible. Control/processing software: for aerial survey applications – Agisoft Metashape (formerly Photoscan), Pix4D.

RGB video, photography, survey [multi-rotor] – GoPro Hero4 Black

GoPro Hero4 Black w/ Peau Productions low-distortion 3.37mm lens (87 degrees HFOV). Mounted on 3DR Solo quadcopter. Control/flight software: for aerial survey applications – Tower, DroidPlanner, Mission Planner. Control/processing software: for aerial survey applications - Agisoft Metashape (formerly Photoscan), Pix4D.

RGB survey [fixed wing] – Sony NEX-5T

Sony NEX-5T mirrorless camera w/ f2.8 16mm lens. Mounted in a Tuffwing UAV Mapper. High-quality nadir images with long flight time (up to 45 minutes), but not efficient in windy conditions. Can be configured with PPK position control for precise photo-mapping. Control/flight software: Mission Planner. Control/processing software: Agisoft Metashape (formerly Photoscan), Pix4D.

Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imaging – BaySpec OCI-F

BaySpec OCI-F hyperspectral SWIR (900-1700nm) sensor, capable of recording up to 80 bands. Mounted on a DJI Matrice 600 Pro hexacopter, using a DJI Ronin MX gimbal. The system can also co-mount a FLIR Tau2 thermal infrared sensor. Navigation/flight software: UgCS. Control/processing software: BaySpec proprietary.

Tau LWIR

The Tau-2 Long Wavelength Infrared (LWIR) sensor with a 25μ pixel pitch, 640x512 sensor array is a high-performance, compact, lightweight LWIR uncooled thermal imaging camera suitable for use with the Cinestar 8 Octocopter aerial platform. Both 9mm and 25mm lens are available.

Thermal imaging, non-radiometric core – FLIR Tau2 640

FLIR Tau2 640 uncooled long-wave thermal IR camera w/ 19mm lens and TeAx Technology ThermalCapture 14-bit digital datalogger with GNSS receiver, mounted on a 3DR Solo quadcopter using a TeAx Technology custom 3-axis gimbal. Best for thermal-difference studies. Navigation/flight software: 3DR Tower or Mission Planner. Control/processing softare: TeAx proprietary.

Thermal imaging, radiometric core – ICI 9640P

ICI 9640P uncooled long-wave thermal IR camera w/ 12.5mm lens and ICI Sensor Control Module, mounted on a DJI Spreading Wings S900 hexacopter using a custom CopterLabs 2-axis gimbal. Best for heat-loss studies and when actual temperatures are needed. Navigation/flight software: UgCS or other DJI-compatible. Control/processing software: ICI proprietary.

Additional Sensors


• Nikon D200 IR. This modified DSLR is configured to record green, red, and near-infrared bands. It can be used with a variety of lenses on heavy-lift sUAS platforms.
• Canon EOS-M. This high-quality mirrorless camera can be programmed to take pictures at regular intervals and can be mounted on medium-lift sUAS platforms.
• Canon 5D MkII. Full-frame professional DSLR.
• Nikon D200. DX-format (24x16mm sensor) pro-sumer DSLR.
• Raytheon Palm IR 250 thermal infrared sensor. Big, heavy, low-resolution, but cooled sensor and huge lens means it can detect a human 3000’ away. Data must be broadcast or recorded on a separate device.