L-3 Communications Infrared Products2005-12-06 08:39:43
Thermal Imaging Being Used to Curb Looting on Florida Coast
L-3-powered MidWatch Thermal Imager is being used in several ways after Hurricane Wilma
On the hurricane-ravaged Naples, Fla., coast, the total lack of electricity following Wilma made the area a prime target for potential looters and thieves. But, thanks to the help of the EMX MidWatch® Thermal Imaging camera - powered by an L-3 Communications thermal imaging camera core - the crew from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has been able to successfully patrol for looters through the area's many canals and waterways.
"The thermal imaging camera has been an enormously powerful tool for the FWC to not only be able to detect suspicious activity in the water, but on shore as well,� Lt. Kenneth Mazzeo, Captain of the Guardian, said. "The camera allows us to detect any variances in temperature and gives us a clear image of our target. If there's a person, a boat or even just a recently used fishing net in the water, we can see it.�
The FWC's L-3 powered MidWatch currently is housed aboard the Guardian, a new technologically advanced ship with a high-tech control panel manufactured by Rolls Royce. The ship's hi-tech abilities include the capability to skim the water on its hydrofoil at 50 mph and to stop in two boat lengths. Paired with the vessel's three onboard computers and the MidWatch thermal imager, these abilities make the Guardian a potent weapon against water-bound criminals. The ship's thermal imaging capabilities, which can detect a man-sized target at 1.5 Km (almost one mile), also make it perfect for Homeland Security operations such as patrolling coastlines and nuclear plants close to shore or search/rescue missions.
"The advances in thermal imaging in recent years have made the technology more adaptable for use in various operations,� Vice President of Marketing for L-3 Communications Mike Studer said. "As the admirable work aboard the Guardian illustrates, cameras are becoming smaller, ruggedized and easier to use, making them the perfect tools for keeping our borders and our shores secure.�
L-3-powered MidWatch Thermal Imager is being used in several ways after Hurricane Wilma
On the hurricane-ravaged Naples, Fla., coast, the total lack of electricity following Wilma made the area a prime target for potential looters and thieves. But, thanks to the help of the EMX MidWatch® Thermal Imaging camera - powered by an L-3 Communications thermal imaging camera core - the crew from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has been able to successfully patrol for looters through the area's many canals and waterways.
"The thermal imaging camera has been an enormously powerful tool for the FWC to not only be able to detect suspicious activity in the water, but on shore as well,� Lt. Kenneth Mazzeo, Captain of the Guardian, said. "The camera allows us to detect any variances in temperature and gives us a clear image of our target. If there's a person, a boat or even just a recently used fishing net in the water, we can see it.�
The FWC's L-3 powered MidWatch currently is housed aboard the Guardian, a new technologically advanced ship with a high-tech control panel manufactured by Rolls Royce. The ship's hi-tech abilities include the capability to skim the water on its hydrofoil at 50 mph and to stop in two boat lengths. Paired with the vessel's three onboard computers and the MidWatch thermal imager, these abilities make the Guardian a potent weapon against water-bound criminals. The ship's thermal imaging capabilities, which can detect a man-sized target at 1.5 Km (almost one mile), also make it perfect for Homeland Security operations such as patrolling coastlines and nuclear plants close to shore or search/rescue missions.
"The advances in thermal imaging in recent years have made the technology more adaptable for use in various operations,� Vice President of Marketing for L-3 Communications Mike Studer said. "As the admirable work aboard the Guardian illustrates, cameras are becoming smaller, ruggedized and easier to use, making them the perfect tools for keeping our borders and our shores secure.�
For more information contact:
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Tel: +1 972-344-4000
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