Project eyes LIDAR on UAVs

KILN, Miss. - The House-passed defense authorization bill includes $1.2 million for a project exploring the use of commercially available LIDAR on unmanned aerial systems. Optech International of Kiln is leading the effort. LIDAR has a similar goal to radar but measures scattered light rather than radio waves to "see" distant objects. Lidar-equipped military UAVs could be used in the littoral zone over shallow waters. (Source: Tcp, 09/25/08)