1. 4K by 4K monochrome quality aerial imagery 
2. Fully oriented 4K by 4K aerial imagery 
3. Improve the geometrical and spectral resolution 
of the image sensor (multi- and hyperspectral 
systems), extend onboard sensor capabilities with 
laser ranging and/or profiling, IFSAR, etc., 
technologies 
4. Oriented 4K by 4K aerial imagery with DEM 
S. Data described above with automatically 
extracted features 
6. Increase real-time airborne processing power, 
integrate imaging into the GPS/INS positioning 
system, introduce for target recognition/tracking. 
The basic objectives of AIMS™ phases 1 and 2, have 
been accomplished by now. Based on the validated 
performance of the positioning component, preparations 
are underway to fly the AIMS™ prototype with 
different imaging sensors. 
FETT 
Figure 5. Callahan, FL, DEM test site. 
Test flights 12 and 13 were already planned to 
accommodate a laser scanner in a future flight. The 
objective is to deliver high-precision DEM over 
transportation structures. A typical image from the 
project area is shown in Figure S 
  
Figure 6. GPS points, NASA Stennis Space Center, MS. 
Preparations are also well underway to fly a multi- and 
hyperspectral sensor system with cooperation of NASA 
Stennis Space Center. As of the writing of this paper, 
sensor calibration is being carried out to establish the 
boresighting of the different sensors relative to the 
AIMS™ positioning components. Figure 6 depicts the 
GPS reference points spreading over the Stennis Space 
Center facilities. Once sensor calibration is done, 
reference agricultural test sites will be flown. 
6. CONCLUSION 
This paper reviews the Airborne Integrated Mapping 
System (AIMS™) being developed by the Center for 
Mapping. The discussion introduces the overall system 
architecture and the imaging component. The prototype 
system has shown good calibration performance over a 
large number of test flights. Current efforts are focused 
on the integration of complimentary imaging sensors 
including laser scanner and a multi- and hyperspectral 
image acquisition system. 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
This work was supported by the NASA Stennis Space 
Center, MS, Commercial Remote Sensing Program 
grant #NAG13-42, and a grant from Litton Systems, 
Inc. 
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