SkyWatch Airborne Surveillance Systems deploys its optical sensor suite on either an aerostat or a remote controlled airship. Where the application dictates, the sensor suite may be deployed on an aerostat or on a tower, building, mountain top, or other structure to ensure complete coverage of the border or asset.

The aerostat platform is containerized for easy airborne shipment, and it can be deployed in a matter of minutes once on site. The platforms operate at altitudes of 500 feet to 5,000 feet depending on mission requirements. They can remain aloft indefinitely as helium levels are monitored continuously, and can be supplied via a ground cable. The unit only needs to be recovered for short periods once a month for routine maintenance of the various systems. Due to its size and height, it is virtually impossible to be brought down by conventional weapons.

The airships are remotely controlled platforms modified by the Company to achieve mission critical objectives. They can be controlled from the ground via line-of-sight from a distance up to 60 miles, or via satellite communication uplink from any location.

The Company has worked with two specific suppliers for aerostats and with Bosch Aerospace for the remote controlled airship. Bosch is the only U.S. supplier of this platform, and has supplied numerous units to several governments.

EAGLE 300

The EAGLE-300 is a powerful and unique airborne optical surveillance system designed to monitor areas the size of New York City or as small as a military base on a persistent basis. The system is ideal for monitoring movement in rugged mountainous areas, along borders, highways and pipelines, or around key military and commercial installations.

Optical sensing is achieved by two specialized sensors working in tandem in either daylight or nighttime conditions. Radar can be added for all weather conditions.

The on-board systems perform both scanning and analysis functions enabling continuous monitoring of key areas. Scanning allows the sensors to re-image each point multiple times a minute when programmed to cover an ark of 360 x 24 degrees. The scanning pattern may be preset to follow a line or a border. If the scanning detects an object of interest, information is sent to the tracking and analysis system for higher resolution examination to determine the threat. The object’s movement is also tracked by this system. The on-board, low power consumption, super computer uses advanced image processing algorithms to perform data fusion, and then creates information within pre-defined parameters. This information is instantly transmitted to the designated command center for further action. The Scanner completes a 360-degree sweep with scans made up of thousands of color images in daylight and through image intensification at night. Several billion pixels are acquired during each scan.

The Tracking and Analysis System is multi-spectral in nature, and is at video rate. Data is MPEG4 compressed, and is transmitted either via fiber optic link, microwave, WIMAX, or SATCOM as needed. An in-line spectrometer and other sensors are used for positive identification.
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