What does AOL mean in UNCLASSIFIED

AOL stands for Airborne Oceanographic LIDAR, which is an airborne light detection and ranging system that enables the collection of data about ocean environments. It is a highly accurate and non-invasive survey technology that can be used for a variety of marine projects such as environmental monitoring, habitat mapping or coastal erosion studies.

Airborne Oceanographic LIDAR employs the use of laser pulses to map the ocean surface from the air. When in operation, high energy laser pulses are fired from an aircraft mounted system down onto the ocean's surface and reflections are recorded by receivers on the aircraft. The data collected is then used to create detailed maps and 3D topographical models of marine environments.

The main benefit of using Airborne Oceanographic LIDAR is its high accuracy and non-invasive nature. It provides data that can be used to measure water depth, wave height, sediment distribution and other features more precisely than traditional methods could achieve. Additionally, it minimizes disruption to wildlife habitats due to its low-impact operation compared with other survey methods.

With Airborne Oceanographic LIDAR technology, a variety of different surveys can be conducted such as environmental monitoring studies, habitat mapping, bathymetric mapping projects or coastal erosion studies. This makes it a valuable tool for marine scientists as it allows them to acquire precise information in a cost-effective manner without damaging any natural habitats.

While this type of technology requires some initial investment for equipment setup, there are no additional costs in terms of labour or time associated with running surveys as all data capture from flight missions is automated by the onboard systems equipped with lasers and receivers. Therefore making it an attractive option when surveying large areas over long periods of time compared to traditional methods which may require physical presence onsite.

Yes, Airborne Oceanographic LIDAR is a safe way to carry out surveys while ensuring minimal disruption to wildlife habitats. Since all operations take place remotely in an aircraft at altitudes between 150m - 2500m above sea level there are no risks posed either directly or indirectly to people or animals below during operations.

Regular servicing should be carried out once every six months for optimal results and continued functionality both on board aircrafts but also ashore before each field mission. This will ensure all systems remain calibrated correctly and hence produce high quality data outputs from your survey missions.