Merrick purchases Optech Orion C200 LiDAR sensor for helicopter-acquired

Merrick & Company’s geospatial solutions business unit (Merrick GeoSpatial Solutions) has expanded its services with the addition of helicopter-acquired remote sensing data products. As the backbone of its assembled sensor suite, the firm has purchased the Optech Orion C200 light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor.

“Merrick chose the Optech Orion C200 because of its superior technical capabilities and its operational flexibility,” stated Matt Bethel, Manager of System Engineering for Merrick’s geospatial group.

The Orion C200 provides a 200 kHz pulse rate, programmable field of view and scan rate, low operational height above ground, industry leading elevation accuracy and low shot noise, vegetation penetration, power line feature collection capabilities, compact size, and a low weight. To augment its remote sensing platform, Merrick will be purchasing several other sensors. The additional sensors will provide high resolution color orthophotography, high resolution oblique imagery, color infrared orthophotography, and hyperspectral imaging. Merrick currently operates fixed-wing aircraft for three other LiDAR and photography data acquisition platforms. This new helicopter-mounted platform of sensors will allow the geospatial group to acquire data for area mapping projects such as flood plains, wind/solar farms, and forestry tracts. The group will also be able to acquire data for linear projects such as transmission corridors, transportation systems, levees, coastlines, seaports, railroads, pipelines, airports, and international borders.

Merrick has been using fixed-wing aircraft to acquire aerial mapping data for 50 years. The firm currently provides remote sensing data products and services in the U.S., Mexico, and South America.

Merrick & Company is a $100 million geospatial, engineering, architecture, design-build, and surveying firm. The company serves both domestic and international clients by providing geospatial technologies, products, and services for infrastructure, energy, and security markets. The firm’s most recent remote sensing and data management services have been provided for Xcel Energy, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ISA (South America), and the Colombian Navy (South America). Merrick operates eight offices in the U.S., two offices in Mexico, and one office in Canada.