Things You Did Not Know

Wide area motion imagery is a technology that is specifically designed to gather intelligence. It is used by companies, and the government, together reconnaissance and surveillance related information. It utilizes a powerful camera system, one that is typically airborne, and will be there gathering data for extended periods of time. It’s ability to track hundreds of people at one time, as well as vehicles, is what allows it to be so useful. Here is an overview of why companies and governments use WAMI, and how this technology is changing the way that we are able to to surveillance.

The Military And WAMI

When these are operational, it is capable of using sensor images to document activities that are in real time. As this is collected, it will be stored in archives, allowing other people to use this data for a forensic analysis. This can be life recorded imagery, courtesy of video cameras that have the capability of narrowing their field-of-view. By analyzing this data, they can distinguish threats, behavior patterns, and can be utilized over several kilometers in distance. Therefore, if there are enemy combatants, and military officials are going into particular regions, it is vital that the wide area motion imagery systems collect data so it can be processed to improve the probability of them being safe.

How The System Is Changed Over The Years

When this was first introduced a couple decades ago, it was developed by people that Lawrence Livermore National laboratory. It became part of the US Department of Defense, and was used in counter strikes in Afghanistan. The entire system weighs about 1500 pounds, and utilizes electro-optical cameras that can deliver images that are 11 megapixels in size. Since that time, it has improved to 440 megapixels, delivering mosaics of imagery. As time passes on, it will continue to become much more active, and the technology will make the imagery that is produced much more clear and precise.