NV5 expands airborne mapping capabilities with Leica TerrainMapper-3 LiDAR airborne system

US-based NV5 has expanded its airborne mapping capabilities with the acquisition of a Leica TerrainMapper-3 airborne linear-mode LiDAR system, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-precision geospatial intelligence across complex environments. The company already operates Leica Geosystems airborne solutions within its fleet, including the Leica CoastalMapper, Leica Chiroptera-5 and Leica HawkEye-5.

 
Leica TerrainMapper-3 features a LiDAR sensor with a field of view of up to 60° and three configurable scan patterns. 
The system is further enhanced by the Leica MFC250 camera system.

Proven performance for all terrain

The investment follows an extensive evaluation program in which NV5 successfully tested the system across diverse terrain types, including mountainous landscapes, corridor infrastructure, and dense urban areas. These real-world missions enabled the company to fully leverage TerrainMapper-3’s configurable LiDAR architecture, featuring circular, elliptical, and skew ellipse scan patterns tailored to different operational needs. This configurability allows point distribution to be optimized for each mission, improving acquisition efficiency and streamlined data capture, while reducing operational complexity and project risk.

Goat Island Mountain data captured with Leica TerrainMapper-3

Hybrid sensors and scalable workflow

Key differentiators influencing NV5’s decision to purchase the system include the integrated Sony IMX811-based MFC250 imaging module, providing high-resolution imagery across the full LiDAR swath, and Leica Geosystems’ unified end-to-end workflow supporting hybrid sensor data from acquisition through operations and processing for efficient and scalable data production.

“Consistent results require excellence in both acquisition and processing,” said Jon Wittman, VP of Data Acquisition at NV5. “TerrainMapper-3 provides a complete and efficient solution that adapts to diverse mission needs while delivering consistent results, giving us the confidence to execute complex projects at scale, backed by Leica Geosystems’ global service and support network.”

“The TerrainMapper-3 reflects our focus on building solutions that meet our customer needs, combining flexibility, precision, and efficiency at scale,” said Steve Cooper, ABS Global Sales Director at Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon. “We value our long-standing partnership with NV5, and we are proud to support their team with a technology they can trust, and global expertise to accelerate their growth.”

To learn more on the Leica TerrainMapper-3 visit this link.