Project Details

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Tracking Gimbal for Aerial Demonstrations

Company: Lockheed Martin

Major(s):
Primary: ME
Secondary: CMPEN
Optional: CMPSC, EE, ESC

Non-Disclosure Agreement: NO

Intellectual Property: NO

Lockheed Martin uses a variety of sensors and tracking equipment to monitor developmental aircraft undergoing test flights. Information collected fuels the engineering teams as they pursue advances in aviation. Technology used during testing ranges from handheld cameras to million dollar tracking systems. To support demonstrations within line of sight, we are partnering with PSU to develop a semi-automated tracking gimbal to aid our videography team. The gimbal system is planned to mimic the inputs of a videographer – point camera, adjust zoom, adjust focus, capture image – with an electromechanically controlled system . Students will integrate an off the shelf mirrorless camera into a gimbal system capable of aiming the camera at the test aircraft. The system will follow the aircraft using known GPS points & altitude and provide a stable base for filming aerial demonstrations. Actuation features will be used to adjust camera zoom and other functions to create a high quality shot. When the gimbal system is not being fed live GPS data from the test aircraft, the videographer will be able to control the gimbal via joystick. This setup will provide a stable base for capturing test flight footage while reducing operator fatigue from holding a ~5 lb camera. This project will be a multidisciplinary project requiring team with software, electrical, testing, and mechanical skills to be successful.