ALTICAM 14 stabilized multi-band imaging gimbal

The ALTICAM 14 (AC-14) from Hood Tech Vision is a four-axis inertially stabilized multi-band imaging gimbal for airborne, ground and maritime surveillance. It combines high-definition electro-optical (EO), mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging in one turret and is used as an observation and tracking payload on crewed and uncrewed platforms.

The maker states that the unit has been integrated and operated on a wide range of host platforms, including counter-UAS ground vehicles, ultra-high-altitude aerostats, jets, turboprops, helicopters and Group 3 UAS. A configurable shell allows the turret to be adapted to land, sea or air platforms, so the mechanical fit is agreed with the maker for each installation.

The key figures describe what the payload can do in use. The turret is 12.7 in in diameter and weighs 10,200 g, which the maker describes as a reduction by a factor of four in weight and power compared with the industry standard, an important point for platforms limited by take-off mass and electrical budget. Four-axis inertial stabilization holds the line of sight steady while the carrying aircraft, boat or vehicle manoeuvres. The imaging chain offers a zoom of up to 280x across the three wavebands, and the camera streams three H.264 compressed video feeds at the same time, so that, for example, different sensors or processed views can go to separate users or recorders.

Onboard processing includes embedded video stabilization, target tracking, video motion target indication (VMTI) and automatic target recognition (ATR), which reduces the workload of the operator and the data link. Optional laser subsystems are available: laser designator, laser pointer, laser spot tracker, laser range finder and laser illuminator. The export classification given by the maker is ECCN 6A003 b.4.a without the laser designator, or ITAR with it, which buyers should check against their own export requirements.

For integration, the unit is operated from a remote ground station with a simple joystick, and the ALTIVIEW software provides camera control, a map engine with street, satellite and topographic views, and manual or automatic scanning and tracking of one or several targets, each held on its own layer. The gimbal is qualified to MIL-STD-810G for environmental robustness.

Typical applications are wide-area search, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), target tracking, border and perimeter security, and counter-UAS detection from vehicles, aerostats and aircraft.