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Airborne Detection of Chemical Powders

Using Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging

Airborne surveillance is routinely used in applications related to border protection, homeland security, command and control or even maritime surveillance. High Resolution infrared imaging provides to airborne surveillance activities valuable detection capabilities based on target shapes, temperatures and chemical nature. The spectral dimension provided by infrared hyperspectral imaging can add selectivity and efficiency to this task leading to additional tools for the detection and identification of ground targets, based on their unique spectral signature. Integrated into a fully automated gyrostabilized gimbal mounted in front of an helicopter, the Telops Hyper-Cam, an infrared hyperspectral imager, has been used to perform an airborne detection of a benign chemical powder spill (ammonium sulfate).

This paper describes how the remote detection of a chemical powder spill was successfully achieved using the Telops airborne hyperspectral imaging system.

Innovative Infrared Imaging