Airborne geophysical survey methods for mineral exploration utilizing manned aircraft output lowresolution survey data which leads to poor initial investigation and even potentially missed opportunities. Low-resolution surveys also necessitate further ground-level investigation which is very challenging and very costly. The Recon heavy platform is a long-range gas hybrid remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS), that can provide high-resolution data by flying lower and for longer areas of interest than typical multirotor platforms. The system can carry superior radiometric magnetometers, radiometric sensors, very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) systems, and micro mirror 2D scanning LiDar sensors. The Recon heavy project extension focuses on maximizing flight endurance with the integration of a mesh network to allow for more efficient data acquisition when operating beyond the visual line of sight. At a higher quality data standard, Recon heavy will eliminate the need for ground-level exploration and lead investigations straight into ground sampling and coring experimentation.

Media coverage:

http://torontomuresearch.com/enhancing-survey-data-with-high-tech-long-range-drones/