02 Nov 11. The TERRAPIN is the newest addition to the family of Vectronix Laser Range Finder products now making military-proven technology available to a broad range of users at an affordable price. The TERRAPIN offers exceptional ranging capability of up to 2,400 meters while weighing only 500 grams. Its MIL-SPEC proven design makes TERRAPIN the ideal companion for snipers, spotters, marksmen or even hunters to work under harshest environmental conditions. TERRAPIN incorporates Vectronix`s exceptional glass lens technology and allows for very rapid detection of any targets. The 5x magnification, combined with the wide field of view of 8° and the fixed focus make the TERRAPIN an ideal choice to meet the requirements of close combat scenarios. TERRAPIN is powered by two commercially available CR123A batteries providing enough power to perform over 7,000 measurements. The integrated Class 1 Eye-Safe Laser enables unrestricted and safe operation and training. The TERRAPIN is now available for sale and delivery and can be ordered in the two colors green and coyote brown.
31 Oct 11. L-3 Interstate Electronics Corporation (IEC) announced the release of its VideoScout®-CM2 video exploitation and management system with a new rugged communications module designed for arduous environments. VideoScout-CM2 is a ruggedized, certified video Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (PED) management system for force protection applications. It provides the warfighter with Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) information from a variety of manned and unmanned platforms displayed in real time for immediate use.
“The VideoScout-CM2 is a valuable tool that enables our warfighters to make better decisions and save lives,” said Nicholas Ortyl, vice president and general manager of L-3 IEC’s Situational Awareness business unit. “The system’s new communications module significantly expands traditional line-of-sight coverage, providing the end user with enhanced situational awareness across the area of operation.”
The VideoScout-CM2 communications module provides users with an environmentally protected suite of digital and analog receivers, giving operators the ability to collect two simultaneous aircraft video feeds, as well as video from two co-located sensors. Real-time dissemination of video information can be distributed over an Internet Protocol (IP) or tactical network. The module is designed to easily integrate into existing C4ISR systems and intelligence networks and is expandable to include new waveforms as they emerge.
Built and certified to MIL-STD-901D, the VideoScout-CM2 is designed to be mounted to towers, ships, vehicles and small aircraft, enabling air and ground surveillance in conditions where hardware is continuously exposed to extreme conditions, such as humidity, salt, fog, dust and rain.
03 Nov 11. The National Armaments Directors of Germany, Italy and the United States approved a contract amendment that funds two flight intercept tests of the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). The amended contract also provides for a Launcher Missile Characterization Test and a Sensor Characterization Test before the MEADS Design and Development contract ends in 2014. The program remains within the funding limit authorized by the three nations in the 2004 MEADS Memorandum of Understanding. MEADS International President Dave Berganini said, “We remain focused on executing the flight tests approved by the National Armaments Directors on time and on budget. Our goal is to demonstrate the advanced capabilities of MEADS, including its open, network-centric architecture, non-proprietary software and plug-and-fight capabilities.”
This fall, MEADS will conduct a launcher missile characterization test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. To demonstrate the 360-degree engagement capability of the MEADS launcher, the test includes an unprecedented over-the-shoulder launch of a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Seg