On-board video processing integrated with Skate SUAS

Aurora Flight Sciences and SRI International Sarnoff have announced the integration of the SRI Sarnoff DL Micro digital data link and video processor into the Aurora Skate Small Unmanned Aerial System (SUAS). The integration has been carried out in order to maximise the availability of stabilised video feed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.

According to Aurora, the DL Micro system was selected for its advanced size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP) parameters, weighing in at 46 grams and consuming 5.8 watts during transmission.

The company said that electronic image stabilisation combined with H.264 encoding gives the DL Micro digital data link specific advantages. Stabilised SUAS video is smoother, easier to interpret, easier to compress, and requires less bandwidth to transmit to the ground.

Mark Clifton, vice president, SRI Sarnoff Products and Services Division, said: ‘We are always looking for applications where SRI's embedded video processing technology can help our customers add value to their systems. With an operational ceiling of 13,000 feet, the Aurora Skate literally takes high-quality video to a new level.’

The Aurora Skate SUAS is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAV designed for military and civilian ISR missions. The system is compact and can be packed easily for forward deployment. The Skate SUAS is designed around a common airframe and common ground control system to support a wide range of users.