Industry recognition for transatlantic partnership

08 June 2010, 10:39am

The success of a transatlantic partnership between Northrup Grumman and leading European aerial surveying and LiDAR (laser scanning) specialist, Blom ASA has been recognised for setting new standards in industry best practice. Their collaboration, working together to deliver a demanding airborne LiDAR survey for the current Gulf of Mexico Coastal Mapping and Charting project, has earned this year’s LCDR Peter Johnson Best Practice Award, presented at the recent Joint Airborne LiDAR Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise (JALBTCX) 11th Annual Airborne Coastal Mapping and Charting Workshop in Mobile Alabama.

The award was made in acknowledgement of the success the two organisations have achieved in together overcoming some significant challenges on this most recent project, proving how efficiently the two can combine and co-ordinate the different skills of the UK and US teams. Together they developed effective project management and reporting systems and overcame significant weather problems to complete the first stage of the project on time, gathering data along the coastline between Tallahassee and Mobile .

Northrop Grumman Project manager Carlos Prieto received the award on behalf of the project team and acknowledged the work Blom had carried out as the lead partner on the team. Paul Evans, Managing Director of Blom UK, comments, “We are absolutely delighted to have been selected, alongside Northrop Grumman, for this award which we hope reflects the professionalism and dedication of Blom’s bathymetric LiDAR team. JALBTCX is the acknowledged world leader in bathymetric LiDAR and we believe this award is a world-wide seal of approval for our technology, innovation and competence.”

Blom and Northrop Grumman have partnered in the USA for Federal Government framework contracts since 2008. This award reflects the work of one such project, let the under the JALBTCX programme, by the US Army Corps of Engineers, designed to generate seamless digital terrain models from both onshore and offshore data, covering 950km of coastline between Naples and Tampa, and from Tallahassee to Mobile, taking in access routes to seven major ports. When complete, it will provide important information about the region’s coastal morphology. Specifically, the fine detail generated though Blom’s LiDAR technology will help identify very small scale variations in the height and roughness of the underwater ground surface. This will enable an accurate evaluation of any sediment build up along the coast, particularly at river mouths and estuaries, which can be used to support the maintenance of shipping routes.

Launched in 2009, the annual JALBTCX awards aim to recognise individuals and organisations who are making notable contributions to bathymetric LiDAR science and practice. Nominations for 2010 were open worldwide to all and not limited to North America and the JALBTCX program. The final selection and award committee comprised of representatives from around the world. The LCDR Peter Johnson Award presentation for 2010 to the Blom and Northrop Grumman team represents a notable achievement for the team.

Blom ASA

Geo: International