ALTICAM 11 stabilized multi-sensor imaging-gimbal family

The ALTICAM 11 is a family of four-axis inertially stabilised multi-sensor imaging gimbals from Hood Tech Vision, built as turreted electro-optical and infrared payloads for aircraft, boats and vehicles. It is aimed at observation, surveillance and target-tracking missions by day and by night.

The turret is 10 inches (254 mm) in diameter and the family has two sensor configurations. The 11EOIR6-HD combines an HD mid-wave infrared sensor, a short-wave infrared sensor and an HD electro-optical camera, and weighs 6,300 g. The 11EOIR7-HD combines an HD mid-wave infrared sensor, an HD electro-optical camera and an HD electro-optical telescope, and weighs 5,800 g. A laser designator, laser pointer and laser range finder are options on the first, and a laser pointer and range finder on the second. For an integrator the choice of variant sets the payload mass against the spectral bands and the long-range daylight imaging needed for the mission.

Four-axis inertial stabilisation isolates the sensors from airframe motion, so the operator can hold a stable picture of a point while the carrying platform manoeuvres. Embedded video processing includes image stabilisation, target tracking, video motion target indication and automatic target recognition, which are run in the turret rather than at the ground station. The turret outputs two simultaneous H.264 or H.265 compressed video streams, so one stream can serve wide-area awareness while another serves detailed inspection of a target.

Control is by a simple joystick from a remote ground station, and the maker supplies ALTIVIEW software for camera control. ALTIVIEW provides a map engine with street, satellite and topographic views, lets operators save targets on the map, supports manual and automatic scanning or tracking, and manages one or several targets, each on its own layer. The maker states that the family needs a minimum of operator training.

Export classification depends on the configuration: ECCN 6A003 b.4.a applies to the 11EOIR6-HD without the laser designator, and the version with the laser designator is subject to ITAR. An exportable variant of the 11EOIR7-HD is available. Buyers should plan export licensing early.

Typical applications are airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance from large unmanned aircraft and manned aircraft, maritime patrol from boats, and ground-vehicle observation. The maker invites customers to discuss the platform and requirements and sends full specifications on request.