Google acquires aerial photography firm ImageAmerica

Google has acquired ImageAmerica to bolster itsGoogle EarthandGoogle Mapsbusiness.

The acquired firm builds high-resolution cameras and uses them to take and supply high-quality aerial shots.

ImageAmerica supplied Google Earth with high-resolution black and white imagery of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Stephen Chau, Google Earth product manager, said, "We are excited about how ImageAmerica's technology will contribute to our mapping services down the road."

The value of the acquisition has not been disclosed by Google. This latest buy follows two recent Google acquisitions of web security software companies.