StormCaster payload family introduced for FLIR’s SkyRaider, SkyRanger Unmanned Aerial Systems

FLIR Systems, Inc. announced the FLIR StormCaster family of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) payloads for its SkyRanger R70 and R80D SkyRaider airframes. The new line launches with two multi-sensor products – StormCaster-T, which delivers continuous zoom and longwave infrared (LWIR) imaging; and StormCaster-L, which provides ultra-low-light imaging, tracking and mapping.

StormCaster represents FLIR Systems’ next generation payload family for the company’s own UAS airframes gained through the acquisition of Aeryon Labs in February 2019.

The new line reflects a “leap forward in scalable performance, offering a 7X improvement in line-of-sight stabilization, enhanced range of motion, and greater geolocation accuracy – all in a rugged package,” the company claims.

The StormCaster-T features a FLIR Boson thermal camera to support detection, recognition, identification and target acquisition day or night, with maximum range and time-on-station. Its zoom lens, with a 75-millimeter maximum focal length, permits long distance ISR while providing actionable imagery. The StormCaster-L ultra-low-light imaging camera offers ISR and mapping performance during twilight and nighttime operations. Key features include 4K recorded video and full-colour night vision in low-light conditions.