Leica CityMapper-3 targets efficiency gains in airborne urban and regional mapping

As cities and regions push for richer spatial data while keeping flight time and costs under control, airborne mapping systems are under pressure to deliver more with less. Against that backdrop, Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, has introduced the Leica CityMapper-3, a new airborne hybrid system that brings imaging and Lidar together in a single, configurable platform aimed at improving operational efficiency across complex urban and regional mapping projects.

Designed as an integrated solution, CityMapper-3 combines the latest camera and Lidar technologies to streamline data acquisition while reducing the number of flights required to meet demanding project specifications.

Configurable imaging and Lidar for higher efficiency

On the imaging side, CityMapper-3 is the first CityMapper system to feature a Leica MFC250-based camera, powered by Sony’s IMX811 sensor. This configuration delivers up to a 30% increase in acquisition efficiency compared to previous generations. A new multi-configuration architecture allows operators to tailor swath width and resolution to flight altitude and project requirements, while improved nadir and oblique performance supports detailed capture from multiple viewing angles. This flexibility enables a broad range of outputs, from digital twins to high-quality 2D ortho imagery.

The imaging component is paired with the Leica Hyperion3+ Lidar module, which offers a comparable level of configurability. Scan patterns can be optimized for different terrain types and mission profiles, aligning Lidar performance closely with imaging objectives. Both sensors are tightly integrated within the same system, delivering consistent, application-ready datasets with fewer flight passes.

Growing demand for airborne mapping solutions

CityMapper-3 responds to growing demand for airborne mapping solutions that can be rapidly adapted to different applications without compromising data quality.

“With its third generation, we’ve taken the CityMapper hybrid sensor to an entirely new level,” says Werner Kirchhofer, vice president product development, Airborne Sensors Business Unit, Scanning & Mapping Division, Hexagon. “We focused on increasing performance and giving customers complete flexibility in how they configure imaging and Lidar for each mission. Customers can cover all use cases with one system while continuing to rely on the data quality they expect from Leica Geosystems.”