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bandwidth) show nearly comparable detection capabilities as infrared line-
scanners. In combination with geo-referencing and geo-locate-and-hold
features offered by state off the art devices, they provide a high quality
video guidance for the airborne operator and, via data-downlink, for the
spill combating vessel. Used in nadir mode, long-IR FLIR devices can
even be used as a virtual IR line-scanner. This combination of a SLAR
long range detection and a FLIR with oil detection capabilities, its video
cameras, autotracking and positioning features as well as (digital) video
recording is a two-device approach that is particularly of interest for
smaller and mid-size aircraft.
Fig. 5.
Results from the covert action laser illuminator (CALI) inside a FLIR tur-
ret in combination with a NIR-sensitive CCD camera.
Left:
Approaching the ves-
sel using the thermal camera (mid-IR) and the autotracker.
Right:
Laser-
illuminated stern of the ship, supplied by the CCD camera with disabled NIR-cut
filter. The images were taken during an exercise in Portland, Oregon with ships
abiding by the regulations
5 Automated scene analysis and data fusion
Routine oil pollution monitoring with advanced remote sensing equipment
requires a complex network and communication structure to be operated
by a single operator. The combination of different data sources towards
higher-level products is crucial in two ways: First, the operator is struck by
the amount of data to evaluate and needs guidelines, alarm triggers and
synergetic overviews. Second, the combination of different sensors in-
creases the probability of qualitative and quantitative predictions of the
substances observed. Both aspects, combined with the incorporation of ex-
ternal data sources, will lead the way to the third generation of airborne
maritime surveillance systems.
