Light Weight Coastal Topographic/ Bathymetric Charting System for Naval Unmanned Airborne Vehicles Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-089 Topic Title: Light Weight Coastal Topographic/ Bathymetric Charting System for Naval Unmanned Airborne Vehicles Proposal No.: N101-089-1042 Firm: Arete Associates P.O. Box 2607 Winnetka, California 91396-2607 Contact: John McLean Phone: (520) 770-6101 Web Site: www.arete.com Abstract: Advances in laser, receiver, processing, and navigation technologies enable development of a compact, lightweight lidar system that is compatible with small UAVs. By leveraging the best of these technologies, Arete Associates has designed a Pushbroom Imaging Lidar for Littoral Surveillance (PILLS) that provides precision hydrographic and terrain mapping at tactically useful coverage rates, suitable for a variety of unmanned platforms. PILLS has no moving parts, completely eliminating the weight, size, power, and reliability issues associated with scanning lidar systems and cooled lasers. The system leverages proven technologies developed and demonstrated for airborne mine countermeasures and airborne laser designators. The system also integrates a dedicated real-time kinematic GPS for precise mapping, independent of aircraft systems. PILLS is an order of magnitude smaller, lighter, and requires a fraction of the power of current lidar systems on manned aircraft, while delivering comparable mapping performance from a small UAV. Benefits: A lightweight lidar operated from a small autonomous platform (UAV) would provide timely and cost-effective capabilities for hydrographic, terrain, and urban mapping. Operational costs would be a small fraction of current manned surveys, and would provide an organic capability for timely mapping even in contested areas. Such a system would have profound utility for both civilian and military applications. Return