CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) has introduced the AlphaAir 15 (AA15), a compact and lightweight airborne LiDAR solution designed for high-density 3D data capture.
Combining long-range scanning, high accuracy, and a rapid data acquisition rate, the AA15 is ideal for complex UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)-based terrain and urban mapping.
The AA15 achieves exceptional data quality thanks to CHCNAV’s patented tilted-prism technology, supporting multi-target detection of up to 16 returns per laser pulse across 7 multi-period zones. Its robust vegetation penetration capability maximizes ground point acquisition in vegetated areas.
The AA15’s high-speed rotating polygon mirror captures an industry-leading 2 million pulses per second at up to 600 lines per second, resulting in dense point clouds over large areas. This high point density and data acquisition rate, combined with a maximum range of 1800 meters and an operating altitude of 700 meters, make the AA15 ideal for high-efficiency corridor mapping of infrastructure such as powerlines, pipelines, roads, and railways, as well as urban mapping over large project sites.
Weighing just 2.5 kg, the AA15 is the lightest sensor in its class. Its unified AlphaPort interface enables quick connections to power and cameras. The compact, lightweight design allows seamless integration with a wide range of multirotor, fixed-wing and helicopter UAVs for efficient large-area mapping.
To meet diverse imaging requirements, the AlphaAir 15 supports several camera options, including CHCNAV’s 45 MP and 61 MP full-frame models, as well as a 130 MP half-frame oblique camera. Third-party cameras can also be integrated, enabling high-resolution imagery to complement the ultra-dense point clouds.
CHCNAV’s SmartGo app enables automated data capture and real-time monitoring. The included CoPre and CoProcess software streamline post-processing, feature extraction, and modeling to provide an efficient, user-friendly data pipeline from flight to final deliverables.
Andrei Gorb, Product Manager at CHC Navigation, commented: “The AlphaAir A15 significantly enhances airborne mapping productivity with its unique combination of lightweight design and high-performance capabilities. Whether mounted on UAS, UAVs, RPAS, small manned aircraft, or helicopters, the AA15 captures dense and accurate point clouds, enabling the extraction of detailed ground features over large areas.”
