For several years now, the Remote Sensing Technology Institute has been building up expertise in the development and operation of optical airborne camera systems with the aim of automatically processing and evaluating the aerial image data acquired in accordance with the latest scientific findings.
Both the self-developed 3K camera system for various aircraft of the DLR research fleet (Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (D-FDLR), Dornier Do 228-212 (D-CFFU) and Dornier Do 228-101 (D-CODE)), as well as the 4k camera system for DLR helicopters (Eurocopter BO 105 (D-HDDP) and Air-bus Helicopter EC 135 ACT/FHS (D-HFHS)) and external operators of the helicopter type Eurocopter EC135, are regularly used for research missions. In the past, these included mapping of European and nationwide disaster management exercises, traffic and situation observations during major events, as well as situation assessments during natural disasters (floods in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate in 2021, floods in Germany in 2013).
In order to be able to offer these technologies to external operators and customers in the future, the further development of the camera system for helicopters is being funded by DLR Technology Marketing over a period of 2 years in the FAIRS (Fast Airborne Situation Assessment) project.
The overall system consists of the following hardware components:
Depending on the application requirements, the software on board allows for
Project duration: 01.10.2021 - 30.09.2023