Steve Pierce
CEO, Rapid Imaging Solutions
Rapid Imaging Solutions offers cutting-edge systems for airborne law enforcement, Search & Rescue, and airborne command & control operations. With over two decades of expertise in ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) aircraft modification and systems integration, they specialize in equipping platforms with the right tools to ensure mission success. “Once the customer base had a taste for digital hi-definition, there was no going back, and OEMs were hard pressed to keep up with the new demand. Rapid Imaging was right there providing digital solutions to our customers,“ said Steve Pierce, CEO of Rapid Imaging Solutions. In an interview with Aeromag, he talks about the company’s major products, research & development, participation in ADAS 2024 and long-term goals.
With over two decades of excellence in ISR aircraft modification and systems integration, how has Rapid Imaging Solutions evolved to meet changing global industry requirements? Could you highlight some key milestones that mark this evolution?
Technology changes at a rapid pace and if you don’t change with it, the industry will leave you behind. Rapid Imaging Solutions has long term relationships with a large number of OEMs around the world and routinely interacts with them on a regular basis. Attending Conferences and Trade Shows, in addition to participating in integration programs helps to keep us up to date on advances in the industry. Key milestones would have to be the move from analog video to digital, and standard definition video to Hi-definition video. Once the customer base had a taste for digital hi-definition, there was no going back, and OEMs were hard pressed to keep up with the new demand. Rapid Imaging was right there providing digital solutions to our customers.
Rapid Imaging Solutions is known for its advanced technology in the Search and Rescue industry. Can you elaborate on your expertise and the specific search and rescue equipment you provide?
Much of the ISR industry crosses over into other areas. Hi resolution video imagery is key in most aspects of the ISR industry, as well as providing rugged airborne components to take advantage of this video. Hi resolution capable displays, video recorders, as well as video encoders with the latest compression algorithms designed to take large amounts of data and compress them into a useful stream are all part of our solution for the search and rescue industry. Another new and key component is cellular direction finding. This is an up-and-coming technology that has been in use for years with the DOD, but is just now being used in the civilian world. Imagine a person who is hiking in a remote location with no cellular service and they are alone, injured, with time running out. New technology like this is a life saver if used to locate and direct first responders to the victim in a fraction of the time it previously took.
The RapidIR-Pod is noted for its simplicity and cost-efficiency in enhancing airborne surveillance capabilities. Can you detail the major features and benefits of the RapidIR-Pod?
With years providing integration to the Airborne Law Enforcement industry, we recognized a need for an economical solution that doesn’t require extensive modifications and prohibitively expensive equipment for agencies to perform their mission. We set out to develop a low-cost product that is quickly mounted, and immediately operational the same day it’s installed on the aircraft. The RapidIR-Pod was created.
Major features include: Wing strut mounted, battery-powered with a Ram Air Turbine to minimize battery discharge, encrypted mesh radios for the video/control link, and tablet based mission management system carried into the cabin with the operator. The Pod can be configured for a variety of UAS sized payloads and gimbalized cameras. Best of all, NO modifications to the aircraft!
Rapid Imaging Solutions offers advanced imaging and data collection systems designed to quickly and efficiently acquire large volumes of geo-rectified data. Could you describe some of these systems and their key features?
Our premier mission management software, LandformX, is a tablet-based mission management system. All sensor and position data that is received into the software is archived into a database for present and future use. The best feature of LandformX is the augmented reality system of overlays on the live video stream used by the operator. Come by our booth and see a demonstration.
What are your expectations for ADAS 2024? Could you provide insights into any standout products or technologies Rapid Imaging Solutions plans to showcase at the event?
We are excited to exhibit during ADAS 2024 and hope to meet with many of the senior decision-makers present during the show. We plan on showcasing a few of our products and solutions, and look forward to speaking with agencies & other companies from the region.
Looking ahead, what are Rapid Imaging Solutions’ strategic priorities and goals for the future, particularly in terms of growth, market expansion, and export ambitions?
Our strategic priorities are to become a brand name in the Asian Pacific region for systems integration. We are in discussion with several companies for representation in the region and are looking to build a more permanent presence here, both in the Philippines and other countries in this part of the world. Our long-term goal is for when someone asks, “Who has the experience, the capabilities, and the ability to integrate this for us?” the answer will be Rapid Imaging Solutions.
