I am in need of a couple photos of the surrogate predator plane. Interior and exterior. We (at work) are reconfiguring our surveillance plane, a 2002 TC206H, either with a FLIR 8500FW or a SafireIII and I would like to see how the CAP planes were set up. I also need to know who did the install work. Thanks
If you would feel more comfortable sending them to a government LE work email, please let me know. I am pushing for the wing mount. The CHP flies the MX15 on the fuselage and has had a few planes start developing structural cracks in the tails.
Thanks
I really don't know a whole lot about the Surrogate Predator mission, but here it is on 3 different aircraft-
(http://www.jamestownsun.com/media/full/jpg/2011/03/04/a1capcolor2.jpg)
(http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/as-the-croft-flies/assets_c/2009/09/CAP_Predator_Surrogate-thumb-560x420-46847.jpg)
(http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/images/sensor-ball.jpg)
The bottom two are what I need. Thank You Cadet Conlin.
Now If I can get someone to cough up a couple of the interior and who did the install I would appreciate it.
(http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/as-the-croft-flies/assets_c/2009/09/CAP_Predator_Surrogate-thumb-560x420-46847.jpg)
Every time I see that photo I wonder why there is glitter on the lens... ::)
Rob: it seems to me that the install was done on the East Coast, somewhere. Give National aircraft maintenance folks a call and you can likely find out who and where. It was done on a National contract, if I remember correctly.
Quote from: Eclipse on August 25, 2011, 02:35:20 AM
(http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/as-the-croft-flies/assets_c/2009/09/CAP_Predator_Surrogate-thumb-560x420-46847.jpg)
Every time I see that photo I wonder why there is glitter on the lens... ::)
Its not glitter. Its the entrance to another dimension.
OK,
So for you pilots/operators who fly it. What do you think? Do you like the wing mount? I fly a similar size gimbal but its located on the fuselage like the FLIR in the first photo. Any issues you notice flying?
It's a germanium lens, with a reddish tint, and you're seeing the reflection of the parking ramp.
The last thread that used those two words totally disappeared into the ether ..
Worst. Kept. Secret. Period.
Quote from: a2capt on August 25, 2011, 05:52:01 AM
The last thread that used those two words totally disappeared into the ether ..
Worst. Kept. Secret. Period.
What two words? Substitute Carnivore?
/these aren't the droids you're looking for
Quote from: Flying Pig on August 25, 2011, 01:51:28 AM
I am in need of a couple photos of the surrogate predator plane. Interior and exterior. We (at work) are reconfiguring our surveillance plane, a 2002 TC206H, either with a FLIR 8500FW or a SafireIII and I would like to see how the CAP planes were set up. I also need to know who did the install work. Thanks
If you would feel more comfortable sending them to a government LE work email, please let me know. I am pushing for the wing mount. The CHP flies the MX15 on the fuselage and has had a few planes start developing structural cracks in the tails.
Thanks
PM me with what sort of photos you want and I'll get them to you.
We are in the process of building the 206 which will be configured differently.
I can also get you the names of the outfits doing the install (it's actually three different contractors each doing a portion of the install).
As for the SP name. National still has some problems with it. We SP guys are working with them to come up with something suitable.
Quote from: lordmonar on August 26, 2011, 02:41:35 PM
I can also get you the names of the outfits doing the install (it's actually three different contractors each doing a portion of the install).
Are they all kept separate from each other and all parts have to be ordered in lots of 10,000 like Batman?
Quote from: Eclipse on August 26, 2011, 02:50:09 PM
Quote from: lordmonar on August 26, 2011, 02:41:35 PM
I can also get you the names of the outfits doing the install (it's actually three different contractors each doing a portion of the install).
Are they all kept separate from each other and all parts have to be ordered in lots of 10,000 like Batman?
Not quite.
There is one contractor doing the CAP G-1000 and radio installs, there is one doing the modifications to the airframe and then L3 is installing the sensor package.
Might want a pic of the counterweight under the fuselage, too.
Uh oh.....counterweight?
Quote from: Flying Pig on August 25, 2011, 01:51:28 AM
I am in need of a couple photos of the surrogate predator plane.
You mean "full-motion video" plane?
Quote from: Flying Pig on August 26, 2011, 10:23:55 PM
Uh oh.....counterweight?
If you look under the plane with the pod on the wing you can see stuff hanging under the fuselage. There's some "stuff" added under there to compensate for the huge anchor hanging off the wing.
Quote from: jimmydeanno on August 27, 2011, 04:09:21 PM
Quote from: Flying Pig on August 26, 2011, 10:23:55 PM
Uh oh.....counterweight?
If you look under the plane with the pod on the wing you can see stuff hanging under the fuselage. There's some "stuff" added under there to compensate for the huge anchor hanging off the wing.
You mean the downlink antenna?
Quote from: davidsinn on August 27, 2011, 04:19:01 PM
Quote from: jimmydeanno on August 27, 2011, 04:09:21 PM
Quote from: Flying Pig on August 26, 2011, 10:23:55 PM
Uh oh.....counterweight?
If you look under the plane with the pod on the wing you can see stuff hanging under the fuselage. There's some "stuff" added under there to compensate for the huge anchor hanging off the wing.
You mean the downlink antenna?
Trust me, there is no ballast on that plane. It needs every pound of useful load it can get!
There is a counter weight in the right wing and there is a roll trim tab.......and we do need ever pound we can get.
So Im thinking putting a FLIR Safire under the wing may not be a hot idea, although it can be done. Im leaning towards just keeping it on the fuselage.
Quote from: Flying Pig on August 28, 2011, 04:07:14 PM
So Im thinking putting a FLIR Safire under the wing may not be a hot idea, although it can be done. Im leaning towards just keeping it on the fuselage.
How's your ground clearance with it mounted on the fuselage? Biggest advantage I can think of for the wing mount is ground clearance.
Clearance is great. The CHP flies 206's with MX15's on the fuselage. I have a Gyrocam DNV with an extended range lens on mine. Same size as the MX15 but no thermal. Its about 10 yrs old. Time to upgrade. We may just stick with the 8500FW and save weight.