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Payloads

The Scout has a quick-change payload interface with standard protocol interfaces including USB and Ethernet

Ethernet

Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....

. This allows custom payloads to be developed easily. The system is able to detect the type of payload connected, and configure it and operate it appropriately. The payload capacity of the system is 250 grams. Offered payloads include:

• 2-axis gimbaled 5 megapixel digital still/video camera
• 2-axis gimbaled FLIR night-vision camera
• 2-axis gimbal stabilized 10x Optical Zoom camera

The gimbaled camera allows the system to compensate for the movement of the vehicle, which is of particular issue with small UAV systems, due to wind gusts. The payload is controlled by the vehicle to remain geo-targeted.

Software features

• Version 4
  • ZoomSnap: allows the operator to take a high-resolution photograph of a specific point of interest in the video and have it instantly streamed to the operator. The photograph provides the equivalent of between 5 and 10 times the level of detail in a typical video stream. The image is geotagged, stored on-board the Scout and available on the Ground Control Station (GCS) tablet instantly for on-the-ground analysis.
  • LiveMaps: build maps in real-time, replacing out-of-date information and flying more easily in unmapped areas
  • FollowMe: allows the Scout to automatically follow vehicles and troops, giving a continual visual overview of the surrounding terrain This automatic operation, enabling the Scout to follow the base station without operator interaction. The Scout can either hover directly above the base station or fly at a fixed offset. This feature is targeted at counter-IED missions and convoy support, where the Scout can keep a constant and automatic watch.

• Version 5
  • AutoGrid: automatically creates a gridded waypoint path based on a number of user defined variables such as altitude, desired overlap of imagery, etc. AutoGrid™ ensures images provide the desired amount of coverage, which is essential for GIS Mapping or Search & Rescue operations.
  • Dynamic FollowMe: allows control of the Scout while in FollowMe mode. This is used when taking off or landing on a moving platform. This feature was demonstrated in the US DoD 2011 Empire Challenge where the Scout was launched off a moving US Marines river boat.
  • Dynamic Flightplans: Flight plans can now be dynamically created and adjusted while the Scout is in the air. The Flight-plan Editor displays waypoints in decimal degrees, decimal minutes, degrees-minutes-seconds of latitude and longitude as well as UTM
    Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system
    The Universal Transverse Mercator geographic coordinate system uses a 2-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system to give locations on the surface of the Earth. It is a horizontal position representation, i.e...
    
     and MGRS.

Users

Users include:

• BP
  BP
  BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
  
  
• Halton Regional Police Service
  Halton Regional Police Service
  The Halton Regional Police Service provides policing service for the Regional Municipality of Halton, which is located at the western end of the Greater Toronto Area , in Ontario, Canada. Halton Region encompasses the City of Burlington and the Towns of Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills...
  
  

• Libyan National Liberation Army (National Transitional Council
  National Transitional Council
  The National Transitional Council of Libya , sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council,...
  
  )
• Ontario Provincial Police
  Ontario Provincial Police
  The Ontario Provincial Police is the Provincial Police service for the province of Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The OPP is the the largest deployed police force in Ontario, and the second largest in Canada. The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas...
  
  

See also