airbornelasermapping.com

Our spotlight this month is on TopEye AB, formerly known as Saab Survey Systems AB. The manufacturer of the TopEye family of airborne laser mapping instruments, they are the "other" commercial instrument supplier after Optech Inc. and Azimuth Corporation. To date TopEye AB and the TopEye family of instruments have achieved limited market penetration compared to the Optech Inc. and the ALTM series of instruments, but with new ownership, attractive lease options and a renewed business focus, they look prepared to make gains in the world-wide market for instrument sales.

• Saab Survey Systems AB becomes TopEye AB
  Saab Survey Systems AB was a member of the Saab Group of companies until April 30th 1999 when Osterman Helicopter AB purchased all outstanding shares of the company. Renamed TopEye AB, their business focus is shifting from manufacturing the TopEye airborne laser systems to becoming a complete solution-oriented survey company. Read the full text of the press release discussing the purchase of the TopEye technology by Osterman Helicopter AB.
  
  
• TopEye.com
  Although it is still under construction, be sure to drop by and visit the new TopEye web site to get the latest on TopEye AB and the TopEye system.
  
  
• Aerofilms Introduces SAAB's TopEye System
  Aerofilms, a UK provider of aerial photography and group partner of Simmons Mapping (UK) Limited, has introduced a SAAB TopEye laser scanning system for the rapid extraction of digital elevation models. Introducing SAAB TopEye is Aerofilms first step into the airborne data acquisition market. The company aims to introduce multi-spectral scanners by 2000, providing a complete data acquisition and interpretation service.
  
  
• Airborne Laser Solutions is a South African survey company spun-off from the South African power utility Eskom. Their original airborne laser mapping system combined an Optech ALTM 1020 laser scanner with an aerial camera to produce a dense, high accuracy digital terrain model with geo-referenced orthophotos. However, they have recently added a TopEye system to their operations, taking advantage of the new lease program. This makes them unique in that they are the only company operating both an Optech and a Saab system, offering their customers the best of both worlds.
  
  
• Other operators of the TopEye system include AerotecUSA in conjunction with their partner AeroFocus Geomatics and the Belgian company, Eurosense Belfotop N.V. Be sure to check them out.