03 Jun 12. FLIR Systems continues to create innovative solutions for our customers. The Company announces the launch of the CommandSpace® Cerberus™ MX, an all-terrain vehicle-based long range detection system and the RANGER® HDC, a high definition (HD), internally cooled, long range thermal imaging system.
* Cerberus MX: Designed for use by security professionals, the Cerberus MX is a self-contained mobile integrated surveillance system for rugged environments. This ATV solution hosts on-board integrated surveillance, communications and power systems. The Cerberus MX is compatible with FLIR ground surveillance radar, C2 systems, EO/IR and overwater radar sensors. Security professionals now have the ability to detect, assess and respond to a threat with this advancement in ATV surveillance.
* Ranger HDC: This new long-range sensor is the latest example of FLIR’s domination in the world of HD sensors. The HDC allows the operator to maintain situational awareness in wide field of view and zoom in for target assessment without losing sight of the target at any time. The 1280 x 720 imagery allows for twice as much wide-area coverage, at any distance, compared to a legacy 640×480 system. This technological advancement is viewable on a 16:9 wide screen monitor that shows more of the important part of the scene.
Additional systems on display or available for demo at the booth:
*Threat detection sensor family to include CBRNE technologies
*ThermoSight™ family of targeting sights
*Recon® family of handheld sensors
*Ranger® family of radar & multisensor systems
*ThermoVision® family of vehicle vision sensors

08 Jun 12. The Afghan National Army’s (ANA) field artillery unit has completed test firing of the first tactical rounds from its 122mm 2A18 (D-30) howitzer at Forward Operation Base Orgun-E in eastern Paktika province, Afghanistan. Afghan Army captian Daswood Shah called the howitzer an ‘important capability’ and explained that the ANA would deploy the battery to conduct self patrols, in addition to providing support for its checkpoints. Training in Gardez for the last several months, the unit learned the fundamentals of field artillery employment and was certified for tactical operations in late March, Shah added. Sean Grubofski, US Army captain and 172nd Infantry Brigade 77th Field Artillery Regiment 1st Battalion Battery A commander, said that the test firing was the second step, with the first step involving occupying a joint firing point in Orgun-E and maintaining that position. The night illumination mission served as an important milestone for the Afghan Army’s gunners, according to Grubofski. Grubofski said his team is serving as advisers for the ANA’s battery; it and provides training to the soldiers, both on the guns and in their fire direction centres. (Source: armytechnology.com)

08 Jun 12. Marom Dolphin will introduce a new advanced system to help soldiers carry heavy load backpacks at the forthcoming Eurosatory 2012 Land and Airland Defence and Security international exhibition in Paris. Marom Dolphin R&D Department chief and senior designer Jonathan Shtriker said that the modern day soldier carries a variety of equipment, the weight of which is continually increasing and affects mobility on the battleground.
“This is the problem that we are striving to solve with the new system that we are introducing at Eurosatory, [with the] most important function to enable soldiers to properly perform their missions,” Shtriker added.
“We developed the carrier in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and already see interest being expressed among additional armed forces around the world.”
According to the company, the lightweight and flexible system replaces the tactical and ballistic gear of the infantry soldier, enhancing their operational capabilities to accomplish their missions. Featuring a flexible hinge to transfer the weight of the load directly from the shoulders to the waist belt, the system f