A new gimbaled imaging sensor jointly developed by Altavian Inc. and Lockheed Martin will be used on the U.S. Army's Puma small unmanned aerial system.

Provision of the gimbaled electro-optical imaging sensor, which provides advanced stabilization, sharper images, dual-band imaging and laser illumination capabilities comes under a $4 million award to Altavian, Lockheed Martin reported.

"The latest Perceptor payload technologies will provide the warfighter with unparalleled capabilities," said Kevin Westfall, director of unmanned solutions for Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems and Training business. "Its advanced imaging and stabilization will enhance operations such as gathering intelligence, providing situational awareness, and keeping the warfighter out of harm's way."

Perceptor is just 2.7 inches high, 3.3 inches in diameter and weighs about 7 ounces. It features 360-degree continuous rotation and produces high-resolution still and video images.

It has completed Army product verification testing and is available to all branches of the military that require improved imaging capabilities on their RQ-20 Puma UAS, Lockheed said.