BAE Systems PLC
Air vehicle and imaging apparatus therefor

Abstract:

An air vehicle (10) comprising a main body (12) and a pair of opposing wing members (14a, 14b) extending substantially laterally from the main body (12) having a principal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (20) of said wing members, at least a first propulsion device (16a) associated with a first of said wing members arranged and configured to generate a linear thrust relative to the main body in a first direction, and a second propulsion device (16b) associated with a second of said wing members arranged and configured to generate linear thrust relative to said main body in a second, substantially opposite, direction such that said wing members and said main body are caused to rotate about said principal axis, in use, the air vehicle further comprising an imaging system (100) configured to cover a substantially 360.degree. imaging area about said principal axis and comprising at least one electro-optic sensor (102) mounted on a support member (104) and having a field of view (102a) covering a portion of said imaging area, said support member being mounted on said air vehicle, said imaging system (100) further comprising a control module (400) configured to define an object or region of interest in relation to said air vehicle, determine a nominal sensor field of view incorporating said object or region of interest, and obtain sequential image data from a sensor having a field of view matching said nominal field of view as said air vehicle completes a rotary cycle.