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Thermal imager / video camera

Helicopter thermal imaging equipment / video camera

Both helicopters are fitted with thermal imaging/video camera systems supplied by Flir Systems Ltd.

The thermal imaging and video cameras are mounted in a turret at the front of a ‘mission pod’ below the helicopter. The turret is gyro-stabilised to ensure steady, sharp pictures at all times, even in the most turbulent of weather conditions.

The thermal imaging camera essentially produces a picture based on the different heat values of everything within its view and is an invaluable piece of equipment day or night. The thermal imager - or Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR), as it is more commonly known – is an essential and standard fitment to all UK police air support units.

The turret is generally controlled by the tactical flight officer in the front left seat and the pictures from both daylight and thermal image cameras are fed to monitors in the front and rear of the aircraft.

The system fitted to the aircraft generally based at RAF Benson was upgraded recently to a Flir Systems Star Safire III with fully integrated ‘Skyforce’ moving map system and ‘Skyquest’ touch screen monitors incorporating digital recording equipment. This latest state of the art equipment has further enhanced the operational capability of the unit.

Missing persons

The thermal imaging camera allows the crew to search vast open areas for heat sources, generally human body heat, very quickly. This saves vital time, often making the difference between finding somebody dead or alive, particularly in cold weather when hypothermia is a significant factor. Many people who are vulnerable, elderly or infirm have been located using this equipment and owe their lives to its use.

Crime

In the fight against crime, the FLIR has also proved invaluable, detecting criminals making off from stolen vehicles, scenes of burglaries and other crimes.

The images from the cameras, as well as radio transmissions, is recorded onto DVD via digital flash cards and used as evidence in any subsequent trial. This evidence has often made the difference between an offender being convicted or acquitted. In some cases, the sheer weight of evidence presented by the footage can result in a defendant pleading guilty instead of not guilty, thus saving the taxpayer considerable expense in protracted court time, officers’ time, and costs.