Optech Incorporated, the leading manufacturer of advanced lidar, aerial digital camera and survey instruments, is pleased to announce the release of the world’s first compact shallow-water mapping solution for its innovative line of ALTM Airborne Laser Terrain Mappers.

The new ALTM Aquarius provides simultaneous terrestrial and water depth measurement capability, enabling the collection of data sets that span the entire land-water interface to depths in excess of 10 meters. Available as a simple sensor head addition to the ALTM Gemini product line, or as a complete survey solution on its own, Aquarius offers a new capability to traditional airborne surveyors looking to add further value to their map product deliverables while maintaining their existing ALTM planning and processing workflows.

According to Michael Sitar, Airborne Products Manager for Optech, “A significant portion of the Earth’s population lives in coastal environments. These areas are being impacted at unprecedented rates given changes in global climatic conditions and the increased frequency of episodic events. Consequently, there is a tremendous need for detailed mapping of these near-shore environments. Historically, mapping of these areas was performed using bathymetric lidar systems costing millions of dollars. Optech’s decades of experience in the bathymetric lidar industry, and the rigorous development of its field-proven shallow water depth-extraction algorithms, has enabled us to come to market with a cost-effective and capable shallow water solution that offers immediate opportunities for our clients in a developing market.”

The new Aquarius will be available for delivery as a sensor head addition to existing ALTM Gemini owners, or as a standalone solution, in the fourth quarter of 2011.