UltraCam Eagle Upgrade for Fugro

Graz, Austria - May 3, 2012 - Fugro Malta Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fugro NV, has contracted with Vexcel Imaging GmbH, a Microsoft® company, to upgrade its UltraCamXp digital aerial camera system to an UltraCam Eagle, the most recent offering in the highly successful UltraCam product line.
Fugro Malta Ltd. is a full service geospatial aerial data acquisition company formed by Fugro in 2011 to streamline its geospatial airborne activities. It serves Fugro Operating companies in the entire EMEA region by providing the resources and operational/technical expertise to successfully acquire the airborne imagery and LiDAR data that they require to complete national mapping, utility, environmental and infrastructure projects.
“We are looking forward to leveraging the UltraCam Eagle’s technological improvements to support Fugro’s imaging, surveying, photogrammetric and GIS services,” stated Gary Smith, Fugro Malta’s Managing Director. “The UltraCamXp has operated well for us over the past year, and we expect the UltraCam Eagle’s updated features to assist us in even more efficient data collection.”
“Microsoft is pleased to accommodate Fugro’s evolving business needs through the UltraCam upgrade program,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director. “The combination of lighter weight, smaller physical size, and larger imaging footprint make the UltraCam Eagle a valuable asset to the company.”


The  UltraCam Eagle features a PAN image footprint of 20,010 pixels across the flight strip. In addition to the ultra-large image footprint, the UltraCam Eagle includes enhanced electronics for improved frame rate and less noise (72 dB signal-to-noise ratio for high image dynamic) when compared to previous UltraCam systems, and innovative high-resolution, high-performance lenses and state-of-the art CCD technology (@ 5.2 µm pixel size) for sharp images with a high dynamic range. The UltraCam Eagle is the first multi-cone digital photogrammetric camera to offer an exchangeable lens system with 80mm (standard) and 210mm (tele for high altitude flights) and includes filters with curved characteristics to flatten out vignetting, enabling the lens system to operate at its best Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) performance for maximum image sharpness and contrast. This digital camera system boasts a new housing concept with everything integrated into a modular sensor head, including the UltraNav embedded flight management and direct georeferencing system from Applanix, and in-flight exchangeable, solid state storage for high reliability and minimal ground time. Compared to previous UltraCam systems, the smaller physical form factor of the UltraCam system makes it quicker and easier to install, requires less aircraft space, and weighs less for more efficient aircraft fuel consumption.


About Microsoft's UltraCam Business Unit
With its operations based in Graz, Austria, and sales and support teams in North America, Microsoft's UltraCam business unit brings more than two decades of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft's Bing Maps business unit. The division is responsible for the highly successful line of UltraCam digital aerial mapping systems that include the UltraCamLp, UltraCamXp, UltraCamXp Wide Angle and UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors. Rounding out the UltraCam mapping systems offering is the UltraMap workflow software system for processing UltraCam imagery to Level 02 and Level 03 quality data, and with features that include distributed processing with automated load balancing, automated project-based color balancing, and additional quality control tools.


Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.


Fugro is a major supplier of airborne mapping and geospatial data services with offices throughout the world. The company collects, processes and interprets data relating to the Earth's surface and subsurface in support of a wide range of public and private organizations in the energy, natural resources and engineering and construction sectors. Fugro is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and is included in the AEX-Index. For additional information, go to www.fugro.com or contact Gary Smith at +356 2010 5540 or Huug Haasnoot at +31 70 317 0700.

UltraCam Eagle Sold to Helica in Italy

Graz, Austria - Helica srl, a remote sensing firm based in Italy, has contracted with Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit and subsidiary, Vexcel Imaging GmbH, to purchase an UltraCam Eagle ”ultra-large” format digital aerial camera system. First announced in May 2011, the UltraCam Eagle is the latest product in the line of award-winning UltraCam digital aerial camera systems.

“Helica recognizes the importance of offering multi-sensor capabilities, such as optical imaging and lidar simultaneously. Our search for new technology led us to the UltraCam Eagle, which we believe to be the best digital aerial camera for our needs,” stated Mr. Diego Plos, Director of Remote Sensing and Aviation at Helica. “Its compact structure, large imaging footprint, high resolution and collection efficiency makes the UltraCam Eagle ideal for operating in conjunction with our laser scanners.”

The UltraCam Eagle will be utilized to complete national mapping and urban mapping projects, including the planning and design of transportation and telecommunications infrastructure and managing and protecting the environment.

”Helica always strives to invest in new equipment to remain competitive in our rapidly evolving industry,” said Christian Peloso, Manager of Remote Sensing at Helica. “By synchronizing the UltraCam Eagle with our laser scanners and GPS, we are able to orthorectify and georeference images more quickly, which helps us complete projects on time.”

“Microsoft is very pleased that Helica purchased the first UltraCam Eagle in Italy,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director. “We also look forward to assisting Helica in the future as we continue to adapt our technology to meet the needs of our customers.”

The UltraCam Eagle features a PAN image footprint of 20,010 pixels across the flight strip. In addition to the ultra-large image footprint, the UltraCam Eagle includes enhanced electronics for improved frame rate and less noise (72 dB signal-to-noise ratio for high image dynamic) when compared to previous UltraCam systems, and innovative high-resolution, high-performance lenses and state-of-the art CCD technology (@ 5.2 µm pixel size) for sharp images with a high dynamic range. The UltraCam Eagle is the first multi-cone digital photogrammetric camera to offer an exchangeable lens system with 80mm (standard) and 210mm (tele for high altitude flights) and includes filters with curved characteristics to flatten out vignetting, enabling the lens system to operate at its best Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) performance for maximum image sharpness and contrast. This digital camera system boasts a new housing concept with everything integrated into a modular sensor head, including the UltraNav embedded flight management and direct georeferencing system from Applanix, and in-flight exchangeable, solid state storage for high reliability and minimal ground time. Compared to previous UltraCam systems, the smaller physical form factor of the UltraCam Eagle system makes it quicker and easier to install, requires less aircraft space, and weighs less for more efficient aircraft fuel consumption.

With its operations based in Graz, Austria, and sales and support teams in North America, Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit brings more than two decades of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft’s Bing Maps business unit. The division is responsible for the highly successful line of UltraCam digital aerial mapping systems that include the UltraCamLp, UltraCamXp and UltraCamXp Wide Angle and the new UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors. Rounding out the UltraCam mapping systems offering is the UltraMap workflow software system for processing UltraCam imagery to Level 02 and Level 03 quality data, and with features that include distributed processing with automated load balancing, automated project-based color balancing, and additional quality control tools.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Helica srl, founded in 2000 and based in Amaro, Italy, owns a fleet of helicopters and aircraft and operates a full range of remote sensing equipment, including digital aerial cameras, lidar scanners, geophysical sensors and mobile mapping systems. The firm produces digital models, infrastructure maps, 3D powerline cartography and environmental analysis, primarily for projects in Italy and Africa. For more information about Helica srl, please contact Mr. Diego Plos by telephone at +39 0433 94286 or email info@helica.it or visit the website at www.helica.it or www.helica.eu.

Slagboom & Peeters Purchase an UltraCam Eagle

Graz, Austria - Slagboom & Peeters Aerial Surveys, a remote sensing firm based in the Netherlands, has contracted with Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit and subsidiary, Vexcel Imaging GmbH, to purchase an UltraCam Eagle ”ultra-large” format digital aerial camera system. The UltraCam Eagle provides the newest technology in the line of award-winning UltraCam digital aerial camera systems.

“Slagboom & Peeters started using digital UltraCam cameras in 2004, and we have purchased every new model of large format camera as it has become available,” stated Mr. Yoeri Slagboom, Owner, Slagboom & Peeters Aerial Surveys. “We will operate the UltraCam Eagle in conjunction with our UltraCamX and UltraCamXp and deploy the camera best suited for each job. The large footprint of the UltraCam Eagle will reduce flight hours needed to complete large projects, and with the restrictions of weather and air traffic control this is a great asset in many places.”

The UltraCam Eagle will be used worldwide on all types of mapping and orthophoto projects. During busy seasons, Slagboom & Peeters’ UltraCam Eagle, UltraCamX, and UltraCamXp digital camera systems provide extra capacity for its customers, many of whom are also UltraCam users. Utilizing the same camera systems as its customers allows Slagboom to offer compatible and efficient data acquisition.

“As a longstanding UltraCam customer, Slagboom & Peeters is a highly valued customer,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director. “We are very happy to add the UltraCam Eagle to the firm’s data acquisition resources and assist the company with following its mission of providing customers with the latest technology available at all times.”

The UltraCam Eagle features a PAN image footprint of 20,010 pixels across the flight strip. In addition to the ultra-large image footprint, the UltraCam Eagle includes enhanced electronics for improved frame rate and less noise (72 dB signal-to-noise ratio for high image dynamic) when compared to previous UltraCam systems, and innovative high-resolution, high-performance lenses and state-of-the art CCD technology (@ 5.2 µm pixel size) for sharp images with a high dynamic range. The UltraCam Eagle is the first multi-cone digital photogrammetric camera to offer an exchangeable lens system with 80mm (standard) and 210mm (tele for high altitude flights) and includes filters with curved characteristics to flatten out vignetting, enabling the lens system to operate at its best Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) performance for maximum image sharpness and contrast. This digital camera system boasts a new housing concept with everything integrated into a modular sensor head, including the UltraNav embedded flight management and direct georeferencing system from Applanix, and in-flight exchangeable, solid state storage for high reliability and minimal ground time. Compared to previous UltraCam systems, the smaller physical form factor of the UltraCam system makes it quicker and easier to install, requires less aircraft space, and weighs less for more efficient aircraft fuel consumption.

With its operations based in Graz, Austria, and sales and support teams in North America, Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit brings more than two decades of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft’s Bing Maps business unit. The division is responsible for the highly successful line of UltraCam digital aerial mapping systems that include the UltraCamLp, UltraCamXp, UltraCamXp Wide Angle and UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors. Rounding out the UltraCam mapping systems offering is the UltraMap workflow software system for processing UltraCam imagery to Level 02 and Level 03 quality data, and with features that include distributed processing with automated load balancing, automated project-based color balancing, and additional quality control tools.

With its operations based in Graz, Austria, and sales and support teams in North America, Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit brings more than two decades of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft’s Bing Maps business unit. The division is responsible for the highly successful line of UltraCam digital aerial mapping systems that include the UltraCamLp, UltraCamXp, UltraCamXp Wide Angle and UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors. Rounding out the UltraCam mapping systems offering is the UltraMap workflow software system for processing UltraCam imagery to Level 02 and Level 03 quality data, and with features that include distributed processing with automated load balancing, automated project-based color balancing, and additional quality control tools.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About Slagboom & Peeters Aerial Surveys

Slagboom & Peeters Aerial Surveys was founded in 1961 and over the years has evolved into a high-end aerial data acquisition and processing firm. The company provides digital aerial photographs for mapping and orthophoto production worldwide. With a fleet of aircraft equipped with Vexcel UltraCam cameras and in-house processing capacity, the company has earned a prominent place in the market in the Netherlands. For additional information please go to www.slagboomenpeeters.com