20 Oct 10. FLIR Systems, Inc successfully test fired the TALON™ LD (laser designator), a 9-inch operational turret, for a US Department of Defense customer. The LD Athermal design validated FLIR’s engineering objective for unrestricted laser firing operation with high ambient temperatures without the use of an internal fan in the turret sensor unit. The TALON LD was tested for three days and nights with numerous data points collected by the US Government using various NATO standard target arrays at specified distances. A Hellfire semi-active laser seeker confirmed pulse repetition frequency code data points during the simulated live fire tests. The LD exhibited excellent boresight retention, precise beam divergence with ‘Gaussian’ characteristics, and a measured higher power output. The LD is diode-pumped with the latest technology updates and equipped with in-flight auto boresight capability, resulting in a compact laser module design.
“After great success of this significant engineering milestone, we are eager to complete additional testing of this technologically advanced sensor,” stated Darrell Kindley vice president and general manager of Boston operations for FLIR Systems, Inc. “The TALON LD is fully compliant with NATO standards for operation to include laser guided rockets, Hellfire and other munitions required by US allies. For customers situated in high temperature environments, the TALON LD will provide unparalleled performance and can remove an additional 60-80 lbs off the nose of light attack helicopters – meaning more fuel for mission or more armament for firepower on target.”
The TALON LD is a light weight (<40 lbs) electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor which can accommodate up to seven payloads. In addition to the EO, 640 x 480 IR and the new state-of-the-art LD module, available options include EMCCD low light, tactical laser rangefinder (LRF), eye-safe LRF, and laser illuminator/pointer. The TALON LD belongs to a family of FLIR solutions that employ a common cable interface allowing flexibility in mission profiles. The sensor is currently in the advanced stages of development and integration will be subject to a full battery of MIL-STD 810 and MIL-STD 461 qualification testing. Full rate production of TALON LD will begin in 2011. 18 Oct 10. A combined collaborative programme between some of Britain’s top engineers, UK MoD and a number of specialist scientific and research organisations, has successfully developed a groundbreaking and advanced engineering data, vehicle integrity and incident analysis programme, which will significantly impact on future design and survivability of protected vehicle platforms. In what is seen as a step change in current assessment, analysis and blast testing for vehicles – and measurement of the impacts on occupants, Creation has provided its latest Zephyr SRV ZX2 4x4 protected patrol vehicle variant and blast-mitigating seat package for a range of specialist scientific and fully instrumented blast tests. The work is part of a wider multi-stakeholder collaborative programme for the UK MoD, led by leading motorsport technology group, Cosworth with the involvement of GRM Consulting and DSTL, as well as Creation. Two development programmes are involved – Blast Event Vehicle Integrity System (BEVIS) and Military Accident Data Recorder (MADR). Early results, advanced computer modelling and simulation – and finite element analysis, undertaken by the team, have established precise correlation between predictive and actual behaviour of both platform and seat during a blast incident – such as an IED or roadside bomb. In the past, analysis has been compromised by poor data and technical issues. Creation Engineering Director, Robin Hall says, “This breakthrough is very much a team effort. We all knew where we needed our theoretical thinking to converge – but the real turning point came when we were able to define the critical measurement and sensor technology - and equally import