Heliwest deployed Lockheed Martin's Indago UAS to conduct a rapid damage assessment in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu, Lockheed Martin announced on 4 May.
The Indago UAS collected imagery of the damage over a two week mission and provided the data to operators. Heliwest was contracted by the Vanuatu government and the World Bank for the task.
Indago is capable of providing 360-degree surveillance of an area. It weighs 5lbs and has an endurance of more than 45 minutes at a range up to 3 miles when using its handheld controller. It can be carried in a single backpack with all necessary components for operating the system.
Luke Aspinall, manager of special operations, Heliwest, said: 'The Indago proved to be the ideal platform for the mission because of its flexibility and small logistics footprint.
'Heliwest operators were able to deploy a full system by commercial flight with no further support required, while on the ground the Indago allowed us to remain independent and mobile. Our crew were able to get to where we were needed quickly, deploying by a number of methods during the mission including police patrol boats, zodiacs, quadbikes, cars, four-wheel drives, regional flights and light helicopters.'
Aspinall added: 'With the simple change of a payload, we could provide a stable, high resolution video and oblique imaging with a vertical takeoff and lift capability all in the one package.
'Pairing a true multirole UAS rugged enough to operate in almost all weather with an experienced and professional aviation solutions provider was the ideal solution to a challenging environment like Vanuatu.'
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