Thermal Imaging and Search and Rescue

The M2D Micro is versatile, designed for both airborne and ground ISR applications, and can be employed on manned and unmanned fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

Overview

The M2D V3 Gimbal is another exemplary thermal imaging camera that boasts continuous zoom capabilities and an array of features designed for efficiency in search and rescue operations.

Advanced Imaging and Detection Capabilities

The M2D V3 is equipped with a long-range zoom 1920 x 1200 HD BSI CMOS EO camera and a 1280 x 1024 ultra-sensitive HD long-range zoom IR camera. The camera’s long-range EO and IR detection, recognition, and identification capabilities are vital in accurately locating individuals in extensive search areas.

Lightweight and Energy Efficient

Weighing only 179 grams and with an ultra-efficient power consumption of 7W, the M2D V3 is optimized for extended operations. This light weight and low power consumption allow for longer flight times and ranges, which are critical in search and rescue missions.

Flexibility in Deployment

Like the M2D Micro, the M2D V3 is also highly versatile and can be deployed on both manned and unmanned fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Its gyro-stabilization and dual payload options make it adaptable for various scenarios

After Hurricane Harvey, search and rescue teams used drones with thermal imaging cameras to locate survivors in large stretches of floodwater and submerged neighborhoods. Thermal imaging was instrumental in spotting heat signatures, allowing rescuers to act quickly. This was crucial in situations where every second counted in saving a person’s life​¹​.

Aerial thermal cameras are particularly helpful in storm-damaged areas. They enhance visibility, allowing teams to locate someone faster. The increased visibility from an aerial view enables rescue teams on the ground to have a clearer mission path, which in turn increases their safety. It’s often dangerous for rescue teams to head out into floodwater and debris, especially with poor visibility. The aerial thermal cameras help in ensuring that they don’t waste time and can remain safe until they have a clear mission path​¹​.

Drones provide a different approach compared to helicopters. They can fly into hard-to-reach places due to their small size and maneuverability, which means they may be better able to locate victims in difficult places. They don’t have to refuel as often, and there are fewer health and safety concerns compared to placing pilots and other rescuers in helicopters. This makes drones with thermal cameras a more efficient and safer option for search and rescue operations​¹​.

In Ireland, the Donegal Mountain Search and Rescue reported that drones equipped with thermal cameras significantly reduced rescue times. Traditionally, a five-person rescue team took an average of two hours to search a one-square-kilometer area. In contrast, a drone could cover the same area and find a victim in just 20 minutes​¹​.

In Texas, during a search and rescue operation following heavy flooding, the Joshua Fire Department used a drone to locate a missing truck that they had been attempting to find for an hour. The drone spotted it in just 45 seconds. In another instance during Hurricane Harvey, drones were able to spot structural damage where a roof was caving in with workers below. The versatility of thermal cameras also extends to locating people trapped within landslides and collapsed buildings during earthquakes​¹​.

Thermal imaging is particularly useful in maritime search and rescue operations. For instance, in Norway, search and rescue boats use FLIR thermal cameras for greater visibility of people, ice, and other hazards in the water, which is especially valuable in vast areas of water where visibility is critical​¹​.

1. Use Of Thermal Cameras On Drones In Search And Rescue Operations, copterviews.com​¹​.
2. UAV1.com