Hannover, Germany - From the INTERGEO 2012 conference in Hannover, Germany, Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit introduced the UltraCam Falcon, the latest offering in its line of digital photogrammetric aerial camera systems. The UltraCam Falcon is positioned between the UltraCamLp and the ultra-large UltraCam Eagle with respect to image footprint and price.

The UltraCam Falcon features a fast frame rate, solid state storage and integration of computers into the sensor. UltraNav, the embedded flight management and direct georeferencing system from Applanix, is also available with the UltraCam Falcon.

The UltraCam Falcon captures PAN, color and NIR data all in one pass. Its image footprint capacity is 14,430 pixels across. At the time of purchase, the buyer selects between two lens focal lengths: the standard 100mm Pan or wide angle 70mm Pan. Both configurations leverage the computing, storage and electronics available in the UltraCam Eagle. To simplify operations, the UltraCam Falcon is designed as an integrated unit that contains all components in the sensor head, including a solid-state image storage system that holds approximately 7,500 images. Additional storage units can be exchanged in flight to minimize ground time.

“Microsoft’s UltraCam team believes the UltraCam Falcon offers its customers the ideal solution between the base model UltraCamLp and the flagship UltraCam Eagle,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft business director. “As our customers grow, we strive to offer them products to achieve high quality data capture and operational efficiency at all levels.”

As an added benefit, the UltraCam Falcon is specifically designed to be easily upgradeable to an UltraCam Eagle to take advantage of the Eagle’s larger image footprint, exchangeable lens systems and integrated modular housing. Existing UltraCam customers with previous generation UltraCam systems can receive trade-in credit toward upgrading to an UltraCam Falcon or UltraCam Eagle at any time.