15 Mar 11. Larger Eyes See More. New optics for the uncooled thermal imager from Carl Zeiss Optronics. The German optics company has equipped its UCM uncooled thermal imaging camera with larger optics. The new UCM 100 now has a free diameter of 100mm. The optics feature very fast lenses which considerably reduce image noise from the camera. “The powerful optics enable recognition of a person up to a range of 1500 meters,” says Dr. Schwarzkopf, who is responsible for uncooled thermal imagers. Because the highly sensitive detector on the UCM does not require cooling, the device is immediately ready for use, quiet andvery light. This new system further expands the company’s line of uncooled thermal imaging cameras with varying ranges for security, surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition. The compact and robust design enables flexible use of the device. The UCM 100 is suitable as an autonomous or remotely controlled camera, as a separate or integrated module in multi-sensor platforms, and in weapons and artillery systems. The United Arab Emirates are currently testing the new thermal imager for a specific application profile under extreme conditions. Carl Zeiss Optronics is the Defence and Security branch of Carl Zeiss AG. It offers optical and optronical equipment for all military applications, such as intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance, command & control as well as force protection.
04 Mar 11. Nanotechnology cuts weight in Deisenroth vehicle armour. New details have been released concerning the nanomaterials that IBD Deisenroth Engineering exploits in the AMAP passive-armour fits it currently delivers for a range of armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) and protected vehicle applications. According to IBD president Ulf Deisenroth, who spoke at the Defence IQ International Armoured Vehicles conference in London in February, the company has succeeded in doubling the mechanical properties of its steel, ceramic and composite armour materials by using improved microstructures embodying “superfine particles”, enabling the construction of thinner plates with greater ductility and hardness and giving an “unparalleled multi-hit capability.” As an example he cited aluminium oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), which in its standard high-performance form has a grain size of 2-10 µm; Vickers hardness value of 1,750 (HV 10 ); a bending strength of 385 MPa; and an elastic modulus of 410 GPa. (Source: Jane’s, IDR)
08 Mar 11. Poland opens discussions on surplus German Patriot systems
Following discussions in Warsaw, Polish Minister of National Defence Bogdan Klich and his German counterpart, Karl-Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg, announced on 15 February that Germany had submitted a formal proposal for the delivery of 12 surplus German Patriot Advanced Configuration 2 fire units (batteries) armed with PAC-2 missiles to Poland. This is the second German proposal of Patriot systems delivery to Poland. (Source: Jane’s, JMR)
15 Mar 11. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has achieved a significant milestone in producing one billion rounds of ammunition in support of the U.S. Army’s Second Source Small Caliber Ammunition program. General Dynamics was awarded a five-year contract by the Army in August 2005 to produce various types of 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50 caliber ammunition. The contract established General Dynamics as a second-source prime contractor overseeing a consortium of worldwide small-caliber ammunition producers. Managed by the U.S. Army Project Manager – Maneuver Ammunition Systems, the Small Caliber Second Source program was established to address the critical demand for small-caliber ammunition during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
07 Mar 11. UK-US collaboration to investigate Advanced Platform-Protection Techniques. An advanced laser and infrared countermeasure test has been carried out in the United States by experts from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the Department of