Slant Range is one of the most important operational considerations for selection of an airborne infrared camera system.
The slant range is the straight line distance from camera to target. In airborne imaging applications, slant range often greatly exceeds the ground range or altitude (AGL) because of the look angle of the optics necessary to stay on the target. To maintain persistent surveillance of a stationary target or to effectively search for targets, it is necessary to vary the look angle of the optics and thus the slant range can change significantly during a flight. A common misconception is to consider only altitude (above ground level – AGL) or ground range in camera selection.
It is necessary to make proper consideration of the slant range to ensure that your camera system will provide the desired capability to complete your mission. Sierra-Olympia leads the infrared industry in SWAP-C systems, providing the Best Thermal Imaging Performance for Unmanned Airborne Systems – Per Unit Gram, Volume, Watt (and Dollar). Sierra-Olympia Engineers have decades of experience working with airborne infrared cameras and can provide a camera tailored to your application.
Contact an application engineer to learn how Sierra-Olympic camera systems are the best solution for your application!