Low-cost camera helicopter gimbal pitches up
The Goodrich Corporation has launched a low-cost family of stabilized surveillance camera gimbals for the helicopter market that provides enhanced information-gathering capability to budget-pressured cities, businesses and armed forces.
The TASE gimbal system consists of a lightweight stabilized camera gimbal, software and a FAA-approved mount for the aircraft. The TASE system collects video during flight that can be displayed in real-time in the cockpit, reducing pilot workload, enhancing safety and reducing costs; images are also recorded for future playback.
"The Goodrich TASE system brings significant surveillance and inspection advantages to helicopter operators in smaller municipalities and businesses. These capabilities have previously been available only to cities and organizations with large capital budgets," said Mark Zanmiller, director of business development for Cloud Cap Technology.
"Configurable video and map displays for the operator or pilot, combined with autonomous tracking and anomaly tagging, reduce flight crew workload. Images are recorded and synchronized with GPS image position, so precise pinpointing for follow-up happens automatically. We anticipate a great demand for this affordable system to enhance a myriad of commercial and military helicopter missions including infrastructure inspection, forestry and coastline surveillance, firefighting and border patrol."