Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) Imaging Systems Using Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS)

Unmanned Aerial Systems are currently in use for a wide variety of applications with digital cameras and thermal cameras, but recent advances in Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging systems or imagers have led to their commercial availability. The SWIR spectrum is a reflected light region and similar to near-infrared (NIR) is invisible to human eyes. The unique properties of this spectrum such as penetration of haze and smoke and its high sensitivity to moisture make it a potentially significant addition to small UAS (sUAS) applications. The use of sUASs to provide higher temporal and spatial resolutions has the potential for new applications otherwise impossible. In this paper, a tutorial introduction to the SWIR spectrum and its enabled potential applications for small UASs is presented. Furthermore this paper outlines how sUAS remote sensing applications stand to benefit from the use of SWIR imaging systems, as the effectiveness of SWIR bands in satellite imagery for metrics related to water content have already been demonstrated. Results from real world sUAS flight missions are included.