CityMapper-3 Boosts Airborne Urban & Regional Mapping Efficiency by 30%

Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, has launched the Leica CityMapper-3, a next-generation airborne hybrid mapping system designed to increase acquisition efficiency and operational flexibility across urban and regional mapping applications.

CityMapper-3 integrates imaging and LiDAR within a single configurable platform. On the imaging side, it is the first CityMapper system to use a Leica MFC250-based camera architecture with Sony’s IMX811 sensor, delivering up to a 30% increase in acquisition efficiency compared to previous generations. The system allows operators to adjust swath width and resolution based on flight altitude and project requirements, supporting use cases ranging from high-resolution urban digital twins to large-area 2D orthophoto production.

The imaging subsystem is paired with the Leica Hyperion3+ LiDAR module, which offers configurable scan patterns optimised for different terrain types and mission profiles. Tight alignment between the imaging and LiDAR sensors enables consistent, application-ready datasets to be captured in fewer flights, reducing operational complexity and survey time.

CityMapper-3 is designed to address demand for multi-purpose airborne mapping systems that can be rapidly adapted without sacrificing data quality. By allowing both imaging and LiDAR configurations to be tailored per mission, the system supports a wide range of mapping applications while maintaining consistent performance across different operating environments.

www.hexagon.com