Wide-Area Motion Imagery WAMI Overview

There is a type of reconnaissance and surveillance system called a wide-area motion imagery platform or WAMI which is designed to gather intelligence using a camera system and specialized software. It is typically placed on board a plane, often for extended time periods, and is able to track not only vehicles, but people, that are moving below. It’s ranges a kilometer in diameter which is exceptional, providing them with endless amounts of information. It is also referred to as a wide area persistent surveillance, depending upon who is referencing this very unique system.

How Does A Work?

It is able to produce all of this coverage due to the sensors and images that are used with this device. Everything is covered in real time. It can record and archive a database and imagery which can provide information for a forensic analysis, and can also spot activity at a very close range that would otherwise be missed by standard video camera. This is something that security personnel use, as well as the military, and it’s often a part of border security, route reconnaissance, and base security operations.

Why Is It Necessary?

This type of surveillance is necessary because of the vast numbers of people that may be monitored at any one time. It provides information for troops that will be going into very specific areas, especially reconnaissance missions where they need to know the activities of those that will be there. As technology continues to improve, it is likely that these systems will be used on a more widespread basis. They are already being used by law enforcement, wildlife protection services, and can even provide traffic pattern analyses to improve the infrastructure of our streets.

This basic overview of the WAMI system shows you how far technology has come. After 10 more years, we will likely have something even more impressive.