(Norcross, GA, USA, 13 May 2013) – Leica Geosystems Inc. today announced that Digital Aerial Solutions (DAS) LLC of Tampa, Fla., has purchased a Leica ADS80 (SH91) large-format digital imaging sensor to complement the two Leica ADS40 systems it currently operates. In addition to increasing DAS’s overall imagery collection capacity, the Leica ADS80 will enable the firm to expand into other end user markets requiring higher resolution imagery.

“We selected the Leica ADS80 because the reliability and performance we have achieved from our two Leica ADS40s has been excellent,” said Mona Kristensen, DAS Vice President and Co-Owner. “We needed a third imaging sensor to meet our expanded acquisition commitments to the USDA supporting its National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) and the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Geospatial Product and Service Contracts (GPSC).”   

The Leica ADS80 is a large-format, multispectral digital sensor that offers superior flexibility, productivity, efficiency and reliability. Compared to its predecessors in the Leica ADS sensor series, the Leica ADS80 has less weight, is equipped with an improved control unit with a greater data throughput performance, and has a removable solid state memory allowing for acquisition of higher spatial resolution data at faster aircraft ground speeds.

“It is a constant challenge for us to balance between purchasing new technologies, maintaining highly automated image processing workflows, and operating efficiently while still delivering quality data products.  With delivery of the new ADS80 sensor scheduled for May, acquiring higher-resolution data will expand our business activity in the traditional photogrammetric mapping and remote sensing markets,” said Mike Wasielewski, DAS Vice President and General Manager.  

Established as a small, veteran-owned business in 2003, DAS is a Leica shop from its airborne acquisition hardware through to its data processing and product generation software. DAS owns and operates a Leica ALS60 airborne laser scanner (LiDAR) and two Leica ADS40s large-format digital cameras which have been upgraded to the SH51 and SH52 sensor head configurations. The firm owns and operates three twin-engine pressurized Cessna aircraft that will be deployed simultaneously to support NAIP and support other large-area mapping projects.

“The Leica ADS80 (SH91) system gives DAS a clear path to upgrade to the Leica ADS100 in the future,” said Jean Gardiner, General Manager of Leica Geospatial Solutions Americas. “In the meantime, the Leica ADS80 will fit seamlessly into the image processing and orthorectification workflow that DAS has established.”

Digital Aerial Solutions LLC
Digital Aerial Solutions (DAS), Tampa, Florida, provides high-resolution digital aerial imagery for photogrammetric mappping, GIS, engineering and land use applications. DAS acquired its first Leica ADS40 large-format imaging system in 2003 and a second system in 2005. The company was a pioneer with the introduction of an all end-to-end digital imaging and processing system to the US geospatial market.   

In 2009, DAS added the Leica ALS60 LiDAR system to its capability supporting topographic, flood plane mapping, storm water and natural resource management applications. The LiDAR projects conform to USGS LiDAR, FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping and ASPRS Guidelines.

DAS is a Small Veteran-Owned Business licensed as a Florida Professional Survey and Maping company. ( http://www.digitalaerial.com/) 

About Leica Geosystems’ Airborne Solutions
With over 80 years of experience, Leica Geosystems is a global leader in the design, delivery and support of airborne digital and LiDAR sensors for the geospatial marketplace. Along with the well-known Leica RC30, Leica Geosystems’ airborne sensor portfolio today includes a wide range of innovative technologies and products such as the Leica RCD30 series of medium format digital frame cameras, the Leica ADS pushbroom sensors, the Leica ALS LiDAR series, and the Leica IPAS GNSS/IMU solutions. 

Following the acquisition of Intergraph by Hexagon in 2010, Hexagon Geosystems’ newly formed Geospatial Solutions Division has brought together Leica Geosystems Airborne Sensors and Z/I Imaging. Committed to continued innovation on all major product lines, the combined airborne sensor portfolio includes the widest range of medium and large format imaging as well as LiDAR technologies and offers a choice of sensor for every application. A full suite of software from flight planning to post-processing provides end-to-end workflow for high accuracy orthophoto generation, feature extraction and map production. In addition, Hexagon Geosystems operates a global network of customer service and support centers to ensure highest productivity around
the clock.

Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right
With close to 200 years of experience pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information. 

Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3,500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon, Sweden.

For further information please contact:
Andre Ribeiro, MBA 
Vice President, Marketing and E-Commerce
Leica Geosystems
5051 Peachtree Corners Circle
Norcross, GA 30092
Phone: (770) 326-9557
E-mail: Email Contact