DUSTER
Deployable UAV System for Targeting, Exploitation, and Reconnaissance
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has been increasing in military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance due to the risk reduction benefits for soldiers. Under the DUSTER project, SDL developed the next generation of exploitation for these UAV‐borne systems. The DUSTER system allows image analysts to sit at safe, distributed screening stations to collect and analyze near real‐time data streams from various sensors deployed on multiple UAVs. Duster also allows multi‐intelligence (multi-INT) data products to be created and transmitted to a forward‐deployed station or soldier.
The DUSTER package includes two advanced tactical sensors developed by SDL for use on Class 3 UAVs or other small unmanned or manned aircraft:
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- EyePod—the smallest GPS‐equipped, completely stabilized, visible/infrared digital sensor in existence. EyePod consists of a jitter‐stabilized long wave infrared sensor coupled with a dual focal‐length optical system and a bore‐sighted high‐resolution visible‐to‐near infrared sensor. The dual focal‐length design coupled with precision pointing and step‐stare capabilities enable EyePod to conduct wide‐area survey and high resolution inspection missions from a single flight pass.
- NuSAR—a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system that produces outstanding images from a small package. NuSAR was developed with partners Brigham Young University and Artemis, Inc and consists of a wideband L‐band SAR capable of large area survey and embedded real‐time image formation.
DUSTER capabilities (including the EyePod and NuSAR sensors) were successfully demonstrated for government and military representatives in October 2007.
 EyePod |
 NuSAR |
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