BlackKite delivers infrared (IR), wide-area motion imagery (WAMI) in a compact, lightweight, platform-agnostic pod weighing less than 38 lbs. Easily mounted on fixed wing, rotary wing, and UAS aircraft, the BlackKite system monitors a city-sized area all at once, day and night, automatically detecting and tracking all significant movers. BlackKite’s onboard high-performance edge processor easily ingests and converts gigabytes of data for easy storage, or real time dissemination of live and recorded imagery to users on the ground.
The BlackKite pod can be integrated onto light planes, helicopters, and medium-sized unmanned aircraft, including Group 3 UAS. As such, BlackKite can be easily utilized for a variety of missions.
Platform Compatibility
Mounting Options
Mounting Options
40 in L x 12 in W x 11 in H
(102 cm x 31 cm x 28 cm)
~ 38 lbs (17.2 kg)
< 300 W max
Processing embedded in payload
5,000 ft – 12,000 ft (1,500 m – 4,000 m) AGL
1 Hz
160 hrs, expandable
2.2 sq km at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) AGL
12.0 sq km at 12,000 ft (4,000 m) AGL
Yes
Onboard, control centers, mobile devices
< 0.25 m at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) AGL
0.6 m at 12,000 ft (4,000 m) AGL
Up to 10 unique streaming video windows
Compact embedded processing includes
north-up rendering, real-time and DVR-like
streaming, and full-mission storage
3 Mpx InSb MWIR 10 μm px realizing 54 Mpx
composite image
~ 5 hrs (4 TB drive), ~ 11 hrs (8 TB drive)
Internal datalink, providing a fully
integrated single LRU
Full-time operation, maintenance, and repair at deployed sites.
Training, warranty support, and 24/7 help desk support available.
BlackKite Pod Specifications
Wide-Area Systems Brochure
40 in L x 12 in W x 11 in H
(102 cm x 31 cm x 28 cm)
~ 38 lbs (17.2 kg)
< 300 W max
Processing embedded in payload
5,000 ft – 12,000 ft (1,500 m – 4,000 m) AGL
1 Hz
160 hrs, expandable
2.2 sq km at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) AGL
12.0 sq km at 12,000 ft (4,000 m) AGL
Yes
Onboard, control centers, mobile devices
< 0.25 m at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) AGL
0.6 m at 12,000 ft (4,000 m) AGL
Up to 10 unique streaming video windows
Compact embedded processing includes
north-up rendering, real-time and DVR-like
streaming, and full-mission storage
3 Mpx InSb MWIR 10 μm px realizing 54 Mpx
composite image
~ 5 hrs (4 TB drive), ~ 11 hrs (8 TB drive)
Internal datalink, providing a fully
integrated single LRU
Ground/Sensor Control Station can be customized for greater/longer data retention based on customer needs.
Sensor Control and Exploitation
Ground-based (transportable or fixed) and/or aircraft-based
Components
Control server, client, archive server, storage array, UPS, accessories
GCS/SCS Size
8 U, 30 in rack depth
GCS/SCS Weight
< 250 lbs (115 kg) / < 400 lbs (180 kg) with cases
GCS/SCS Power
< 1 KW, 100% duty cycle
Infrared, platform-agnostic wide-area motion imagery system
Powerful day/night wide-area motion imagery in a small Group 3 UAS
Lightweight, day/night aerostat-mounted wide-area motion imagery system
Wide-Area Motion Imagery System for Tethered UAS
High-volume, real-time sensor data processing
Platform-Flexible, High Performance Multi-Sensor System in a Compact Pod
Lightweight, platform-agnostic wide-area motion imagery system
Powerful wide-area motion imagery in a small Group 3 UAS
Dual-Sensor System to Detect and Locate Sources of Enemy Fire
