TK-7 Firewatch sensor for Aerosonde UAS

Textron Systems Unmanned Systems will offer Overwatch Imaging’s TK-7 Firewatch precision survey sensor on the Aerosonde UAS following recent successful demonstration flights.

The TK-7 is a multi-spectrum precision survey payload designed to provide advanced precision mapping and multi-image orthophoto capabilities that are able to quickly synthesise high fidelity aerial imagery and detect anomalies including hot-spots for wildfire mapping.

The sensor uses nadir-oriented multi-megapixel colour focal plane array (FPA) and co-boresighted infrared (IR) sensors integrated with an onboard image processing system. Coupled with geospatial information systems knowledge workflows developed by Textron Systems, the TK-7 Firewatch payload capability is able to provide time-critical analytics and reporting. 

Dennis Racine, civil and commercial senior director, Textron Systems, said: ‘By integrating this sensor onto the Aerosonde UAS, we believe this will be a differentiator in the emerging civil and commercial application space by providing a more advanced and cost effective method to complete precision survey. 

‘By supporting real-time situational awareness, which increases the safety and effectiveness of our wildland fire incident responders, the TK-7 represents a new disruptive capability platform and fills a technology gap for a core area in multiple civil and industry applications.’

Aerosonde can be outfitted with sensors to give responders real-time data on fire growth, burn intensity, fuels and heat concentrations. The UAS can carry numerous payloads in a single flight; such as advanced electro-optic/infrared payloads for day-and-night persistent oversight of the impacted area, precision survey imaging, as well as communications relay to extend the reach of responders’ communications in difficult and dangerous terrain.

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Aerosonde Mk 4.7