P68 Observer Series - Airborne Technologies GmbH

Equipments
The aircraft basic equipment can be completed adding other systems which increase the
operational capability and extends the range of possible roles.
Some of the further equipments are listed below:
Microwave Radiometer (MVR)
� The MWR is used to establish the amount of oil dispersed by measuring its area
extension and thickness. It is quite common, in case of larger oil spills, that more than 90
percent of the oil is confined in a compact region comprising less than 10 percent of the
visible slick area. The MVR can therefore be an useful tool in assisting oil combating
vessels in the clean-up operation by pointing out the biggest oil concentration within the
spill area.
Data Down Link (DDL)
� The data acquired by the various sensors can be transmitted to surface receiving
station. At receiving stations, data are collected by a directional antenna, stored on
magnetic tape and converted into images in near real-time. The DDL is a VHF system
which requires "line of sight". however, if the aircraft and receiving unit (s) are not within
line of sight during data acquisition, it is possible to transmit data from the tape recorder
at the next opportunity.
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aircraft
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