Hood Technology Vision, Inc.

Hood Technology Vision, Inc. (www.hoodtech.com – Hood River, OR) designs and manufactures advanced stabilized imaging payloads for small unmanned aerial systems (UAS), manned aircraft, unmanned and manned land vehicles, ground systems, stationary mounts, and marine systems. The company’s 4-axis stabilized camera turrets incorporate electro-optical cameras, infrared (IR) imagers, laser markers and designators, and other sensor payloads to deliver the best intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) performance. HoodTech payloads offer best-in-class long range imaging and laser capabilities from unstable platforms with a primary emphasis on minimum size, weight, and power (SWaP).

Hood Technology’s stabilized imaging system, the Alticam 11EO/IR1 payload.

Figure 1 –Hood Technology’s stabilized imaging system, the Alticam 11EO/IR1 payload.

Small and compact, yet rugged, durable and reliable, HoodTech’s advanced imaging payloads are designed with superior stabilization and disturbance rejection, narrow fields of view (FOV), flexible operability, multi-imager simultaneous operation, and proven target tracking, target hold, and target detection capabilities. Our current flagship payload includes continuous zoom midwave infrared (MWIR), extended zoom EO, laser pointer, laser marker, and laser rangefinder all delivered within a nominal < 5.5 kg payload (see Figure 1 – Alticam 11EO/IR1 payload).

HoodTech has delivered over 4000 high-performance ISR payloads; these have captured >600,000 combat flight hours of video footage. Fundamental payload designs implement 2 internal axes with inertial stabilization for high-frequency disturbance rejection and fine pointing, and two outer stages for gross disturbance rejection and course pointing. Single-sensor payloads are all designed for maximum performance within a restricted mass and volume budget. Multi-sensor payloads apply the same principals with all sensor and laser channels precision-bore-sighted. Channel boresight has been maintained through thousands of high-acceleration vehicle-launch simulations.

HoodTech payloads are compatible with and supported by the Alticam Vision System (AVS), a proprietary on-board vision processor designed to extend standard payload functions. Image enhancement tools extend the acuity of on-board imagers. AVS accepts aircraft state data for image rotation. An embedded image de-jitter function extends system disturbance rejection. Target tracking, image hold, and moving target detection are additional functions offered with AVS. The Alticam Vision System processor is a platform that enables us to customize payload functions to different sensors and mission requirements.

HoodTech’s imaging test fixtures for MWIR (left) and LWIR (right) are shown. Both are continuous zoom optics that includes the latest sensor technology for stabilized imaging systems.

Figure 2 – HoodTech’s imaging test fixtures for MWIR (left) and LWIR (right) are shown. Both are continuous zoom optics that includes the latest sensor technology for stabilized imaging systems.

HoodTech has a rapid, agile design process, allowing the company to develop stabilized imaging systems around any suitable sensor. HoodTech has already integrated the most advanced EO sensors delivering an unrivaled long-range daytime imaging capability. Infrared sensors in shortwave infrared (SWIR), MWIR, and longwave-infrared (LWIR) waveband cameras have been developed, integrated, and delivered to theater (see Figure 2 – HoodTech’s imaging test fixtures for MWIR and LWIR). Laser pointer, laser rangefinder, and laser marker/designator channels have been delivered or are currently in design.

HoodTech is an able and reliable partner for sensor manufacturers requiring advanced stabilization and pointing capabilities. With our team’s expertise in sensor integration, field-proven experience in vibration isolation and dedicated video processing, plus our combined backgrounds in designing stabilized imaging platforms and payload systems, we can help ensure success for your manned/unmanned flight/video missions.

For more information, please visit www.hoodtech.com.

Hood Technology
3100 West Cascade Ave
Hood River, OR 97031

Tel: +1.541.387.2288
Fax +1 541.387.2266
Email: info@hoodtech.com
Web: www.hoodtech.com

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