USING PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ANALYSIS WITH HIGH-SPEED CAMERAS IN FLIGHT TESTING APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Flight test engineers sometimes need to conduct photogrammetric analysis to investigate transient phenomena and validate computer and wind tunnel models. Data is captured to characterize the performance of the aircraft and its avionics and other equipment and for store separation tests. Store separation encompasses such functionality as fuel tank release, landing gear operation and missile deployment. To capture accurate visual data during flight tests requires the use of a high-speed camera device capable of capturing moving images with exposure times for each image of less than 1/1,000 second or frame rates in excess of 200 frames per second. The cameras used in store separation FTI applications must be very environmentally rugged and perform optimally and accurately in harsh environments. Any potential failure must be mitigated because of the high cost of keeping a test platform in the air. Post-test, it is important that the images can be correlated so the data is suitable for photogrammetric analysis. This paper discusses what is required for successfully capturing data in flight tests for photogrammetric analysis and outlines a high speed camera system solution.