Vulcanair Aircraft selected UTC Aerospace System's TASE500 HD imaging system to support the Chilean Navy's search and rescue programs.

TASE500, a Cloud Cap Technology product, is a 4-axis stabilized imaging system designed for both day and night surveillance operations. The imaging system features an HD daylight camera with continuous optical and digital zoom options, with additional multiple laser options including Laser Pointer and Laser Range Finder.

The imaging system will be installed on Vulcanair's P68 Observer 2 aircraft, a twin-engine unarmed plane designed for maritime observation and patrol operations. Industry officials involved in the contract say TASE500's all-HD imaging system will improve situational awareness for operators by enhancing object recognition.

"The addition of the Cloud Cap Technology TASE500 Imaging System to the P68 Observer 2 will allow us to provide a turnkey, high performance, cost efficient solution to the search and rescue market," said Remo De Feo, CEO of Italy's Vulcanair Aircraft. "The all HD imaging system of the TASE500 was a critical requirement in providing the Chilean Navy with superior nighttime imaging as well as long range daylight surveillance."

The Chilean Navy is tasked with patrolling over 2,670 miles of the country's Pacific coastline. This patrol requires aircraft fitted for long-endurance missions with high optical capabilities to identify objects at sea and along the coastline more easily.