RAPSODI (Remote sensing Anti-Pollution System for geographical Data Integration) is a European Community funded program. Within this program, remote sensing, radar and oil spill control specialists, associated with airborne system designers, have gathered their efforts in order to propose a new concept of airborne surveillance system for oil pollution fighting. This paper describes the main tasks carried out in the RAPSODI project. Firstly, we describe the real size experimentation campaigns at sea with voluntary controlled releases of crude oil and other chemicals which were conducted to collect data for the project. These campaigns have involved many aerial and naval assets from various organizations. Secondly, the development of an airborne SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) sensor based upon the existing Thaïes Ocean Master X-band radar is presented. This sensor is able to generate high-resolution images and allows detecting sea pollution in almost any environmental conditions. It is the key sensor of the proposed system. Thirdly, we introduce the innovative technique of images processing developed and assessed in the frame of RAPSODI. These techniques allow extracting oil spill airborne SAR signatures even in very unfavorable conditions. Fourthly, we stress a major technical issue: the GIS (Geographic Information System) approach chosen for the system. Since an airborne system for oil pollution fighting relies on various sensors and, moreover, as their data can be geocoded, the use of GIS improves the efficiency of an airborne system in merging sensor data, chart data and tactical objects. Finally, we describe the proposed airborne system. Its architecture is based on software and hardware on the shelf components. It is generic in order to be adaptable to different types of carriers, types of missions and crew concepts.

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