Status of the Norwegian hyperspectral technology demonstrator

The Norwegian defence research establishment (FFI) is building a technology demonstrator for hyperspectral target detection. The demonstrator system will integrate hyperspectral and conventional imagers with on-board real-time processing for target detection. The system is built around a hyperspectral camera working mainly in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectral range. Image data will be processed using statistical algorithms, in part developed at FFI. Time-critical parts of the algorithms are executed in parallel on a graphics processor. An important objective of the project is to establish an easily accessible way of performing airborne hyperspectral trials for purposes ranging from scientific studies to operational experimentation and exercises. The first flight of the system is planned for spring 2008 in a single-engine aircraft. A ground-to-ground demonstrator system has also been developed and is currently being used in trials. The paper gives an overview of both the airborne and the groundbased demonstrator systems and discusses the processing speed gain obtained through the use of a graphics processor.