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Laser Airborne Depth Sounder (LADS)

The LADS HD+ is the most recent version of our sophisticated LADS airborne lidar bathymetry (ALB) system, which accurately measures water depths and collects data over marine and intertidal coastal zone environments and the associated topography.

LADS HD+ has a 7 kHz laser, which greatly increases the bathymetric data density for continuous safe, high-speed and cost-effective surveys of clean, shallow coastal areas in water depths of up to 80 m and the surrounding topography to up to 100 m. The LADS HD+ can be used in combination with traditional hydrographic survey methods such as multibeam echosounders to support nautical charting and coastal zone management applications in nearshore and shallow water environments. 

Fugro’s LADS HD+ system is operated concurrently with a topographic and shallow water lidar sensor, the RIEGL VQ-820-G, and can be complemented with RGB and/or hyperspectral cameras.

Our LADS HD+ system surveys the coastal zone faster and more cost-effectively through the ability to acquire high-quality data in a wide range of environmental conditions. The system also benefits from leading-edge developments in shallow water performance, seabed reflectivity, target detection and operating altitudes.

Deliverables include digital depth and topographic data, gridded models, spatial products, seabed reflectivity and georeferenced digital mosaic imagery.

LADS HD+ system applications include:

  • Nautical charting
  • Coastal zone management
  • Climate change adaption and inundation modelling
  • Habitat mapping
  • Marine and coastal engineering
  • Renewable energy industry
 

We build and operate the LADS ALB technology and have over 25 years’ experience in continuous development and operations for national nautical charting authorities and commercial activities.

The LADS HD+ sensor’s high-powered laser and innovative scanner and receiver optics technology ensure:

  • Maximum coverage in coastal and nearshore environments
  • Depth measurements to 80m (subject to water clarity) with minimal gaps
  • Greater efficiency when surveying shallow water: up to 30 times faster than multibeam echosounder technology alone
  • High quality and accurate data, including target detection to IHO Order 1a/1b specifications

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