Sponsored by Blighter Surveillance Systems
www.blighter.com
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09 Jul 20. PRFI is the new name for Plextek RFI. From July 2020 the new name for Plextek RFI is now PRFI Ltd. The company has achieved recognition across the world as a leader in the design of RFICs, MMICs and microwave/mmWave modules, having originally been formed from the RF Integration Group within Plextek Ltd.
Operating from offices and laboratories in the village of Great Chesterford, near Cambridge in the UK, PRFI has an impressive list of clients for its microwave and mmWave design services that includes Huawei, Inmarsat, Samsung, Analog Devices and Qorvo.
“Plextek RFI has been an independent limited company since 2015 and still shares a site with Plextek Services Ltd., which was also originally part of Plextek Ltd.,” explained Liam Devlin, CEO of PRFI. “The new name change will help to avoid confusion, and will enable us to create a stronger brand identity to move forward and develop our business still further.”
09 Jul 20. AeroDefense Introduces Affordable Mobile Drone Detection That Provides Flexible Deployment Options and In-Motion Detection.
AeroDefense’s Existing AirWarden™ Technology Now Offers Unobtrusive Drone Detection for Mobile Command Vehicles and Marine Vessels.
AeroDefense, provider of the patented AirWarden™ drone detection system (Pat. US20170148332A1) that detects and locates drones and pilots simultaneously, announced a new mobile deployment option. AirWarden mobile deployments operate independently, as a patrolling group (patent pending), or in conjunction with permanently mounted systems.
Today’s drone threats validate a dire need for airspace security. AirWarden’s mobile drone detection technology equips security teams and law enforcement with actionable intelligence of drone and pilot location for quick, targeted response.
AirWarden’s four-inch, four-ounce antenna easily mounts on an external antenna mast and connects to detection electronics inside a customer-provided ground vehicle or marine vessel for discreet drone detection operations.
AirWarden mobile sensors create a dynamic network in two ways to enhance location accuracy. When a mobile sensor comes within range of a fixed network, it can extend a permanent installation network. Mobile sensors in separate command vehicles or marine vessels can move at patrol speed in a search grid fashion to locate both drones and pilots.
“AeroDefense offers the unique capability of drone detection in motion that does not require legal authorization to operate,” said Linda Ziemba, AeroDefense Founder and CEO. “We already had a solid foundation for the software that received a Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation last year, so adding flexible deployment options allows us to help security teams protect more people. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
10 Jul 20. Hawker Pacific delivers special missions capability to NZDF. Hawker Pacific has successfully delivered the fourth and final special mission Beechcraft King Air 350 to the New Zealand Defence Force, which will help deliver aircrew training. New Zealand’s Minister of Defence, Ron Mark, welcomed the acceptance of the fourth and final Beechcraft King Air 350 (KA350) delivery for use by the by the Royal New Zealand Air Force at Base Ohakea. Under a 10-year agreement with the NZDF, Hawker Pacific is responsible for acquisition, modification and delivery of four multi-functioned mission focused KA350 aircraft.
It is also charged with delivering transport and training systems through real in-flight and virtual methods, and supporting these with a ground base training system, including engineering and logistics support.
Craig Purry, vice president government business Asia-Pacific, Jet Aviation, said, “Our experts in special missions and those of our strategic partners (Marops and Collins Aerospace) have spent three and a half years alongside the RNZAF and NZDF in bringing this comprehensive training capability to life. I know these modified, mission-focused aircraft and ground training systems will deliver on their assignments.”
Building on the NZDF interim Advanced Pilot Training Capability that served its former Beechcraft King Air 200 fleet, this new aircrew training capability provides airborne and ground training systems for multi-engine pilot training while concurrently training and graduating air warfare officers for the first time in New Zealand in more than two decades.
“Hawker Pacific is proud to have successfully completed this milestone delivery to the NZDF,” Purry added.
Jet Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, was founded in Switzerland in 1967 and is one of the leading business aviation services companies in the world. Nearly 4,500 employees cater to client needs from some 50 facilities throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, North America and the Caribbean.
The company provides maintenance, completions and refurbishment, engineering, FBO and fuel services, along with aircraft management, charter services and personnel services. Jet Aviation’s European and US aircraft management and charter divisions jointly manage a fleet of some 300 aircraft. (Source: Defence Connect)
09 Jul 20. At its site in Oberkochen, HENSOLDT is investing in new clean rooms for the assembly and integration of high-performance optronic systems. In the future, HENSOLDT will produce devices for civil measurement technology on the new premises. These are used in the production of chips, for example for mobile phones. The new clean rooms will enable the company to significantly increase the number of devices delivered each month.
“We have efficiently converted almost 700m² of existing space, creating new high-quality clean room areas for the assembly and integration of high-performance optronic systems. With the new clean rooms, HENSOLDT is well prepared for the customer requirements of the future,” says Roman Großmann, process engineer at the Oberkochen site.
By linking the new clean rooms to another clean room for high technology, its total area was almost doubled. As part of the conversion measures, tailor-made “room-in-room” solutions were created. This results, among other things, in increased efficiency and optimized processes in production: Walkways are optimized, cleaning rework is no longer necessary and, by maintaining the correct room humidity, bonded areas can cure better. The workplaces were equipped with height-adjustable, ergonomic and cleanroom-compatible tables. The new rooms also have a modern lighting concept with optimal adaptability to the different installation conditions.
08 Jul 20. Lawmakers call on US Army to coordinate small-drone defenses. To better defend military forces against small weaponized drones, lawmakers introduced legislation calling for the Army to coordinate troop defenses against small unmanned aerial systems for the Department of Defense.
Small drones — including small, easily acquired, commercially made drones — are an emerging threat to U.S. forces overseas, according to Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who introduced the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act during that committee’s consideration of the NDAA.
In some countries, small hobbyist quadcopters and other commercial drones have been weaponized by terrorists and guerilla forces who steer them into people or objects or modify them to carry explosives.
Hassan and Johnson’s amendment would recognize and codify the authority of the secretary of the Army to coordinate DOD’s counter-drone efforts. It would also authorize the Army to fast-track an overall strategy by September to fight the evolving drone threat and share the plan with Congress.
The danger the remote-controlled unmanned aircraft pose to U.S. military personnel was brought home to Hassan during a visit to Afghanistan.
“When I traveled to Afghanistan last year, I heard from U.S. military leaders on the ground who were concerned about the emerging threat posed by small drones,” Hassan said in a July 2 statement. “These small drones can carry deadly bombs, yet they can go undetected by current Defense Department technology.”
Meanwhile, the Defense Department also is weighing counter-drone technologies.
DOD leadership said on June 25 that it had approved assessments of vendors in several classes of drone defense technologies, including fixed/semifixed systems, dismounted/handheld systems and forward-area command and control systems.
The technologies, officials said, were initially bought to “address urgent and emerging operational needs of deployed forces.”
Beyond the initial report due in September, the proposed legislation would also provide critical oversight measures such as requiring the secretary of the Army to assess potential roadblocks or barriers to the strategy’s implementation as well as having the Government Accountability Office judge the effectiveness of its plan. (Source: Defense Systems)
09 Jul 20. RAFAEL announces $1.3m strategic industrial partnership with Australian company Naeco Pty Ltd. This cooperation will see the two firms come together to export advanced cooling systems as part of RAFAEL’s defense solutions global supply chain.
RAFAEL Australia has announced a $1.3m strategic industrial partnership with Australian company Naeco Pty Ltd, a Brisbane-based precision engineering small business specializing in thermal management.
Naeco has pioneered a world-first liquid cooling system for airborne radar, communication systems and electronic warfare (EW) equipment. RAFAEL is a world leader in the development and manufacture of airborne systems, including the BNet communication system and EW technologies, which are currently employed by numerous leading air forces around the world.
This industrial cooperation between RAFAEL and Naeco will see the two firms come together to export these advanced cooling systems, as part of RAFAEL’s global supply chain, to provide its customers with state-of-the-art defence solutions. In an environment of unprecedented disruption, this agreement will provide new export opportunities for products designed, developed and manufactured in Australia, creating local jobs in the process.
“RAFAEL was very impressed with the performance of Naeco and its technology during testing,” said Ido Spitzer, RAFAEL Australia’s General Manager.
“Following the establishment of VRA in Australia as a joint venture between RAFAEL and the Varley Group, we are delighted to enter into partnership with another Australian SME that shares our culture of innovation and collaboration. This partnership will lead to additional work packages for an Australian business at a time of significant uncertainty for local industry. We are particularly excited by Naeco’s comprehensive manufacturing and engineering expertise specifically in the high-end aerospace sector.”
Naeco’s Managing Director, Nathan Andrews, said the agreement was a significant step for the company. “We are extremely proud of our new partnership with RAFAEL, an internationally recognized leader in defense industry. RAFAEL’s focus on partnering with innovative small businesses like Naeco makes this new venture both a natural fit and an enormous opportunity for our company to continue developing our world-leading capabilities.
“With RAFAEL’s support, Naeco will expand global exports of Australian defense technology like our liquid cooling system despite challenging global conditions. This partnership will allow us to keep factories open, employ more Australian workers and keep exports flowing in this time of economic hardship”.
09 Jul 20. Russia begins building a ‘flying’ super radars and military headquarters. Russian Government plans to build a second “flying radar” A-100 “Premier” for their Aerospace Forces, learned BulgarianMilitary.com citing Izvestia. The super aircraft will join the test program, designed until 2024. The specific availability of the new machine is not yet known.
Read more: Electronic defense: which systems are developed in Russia to counter drones?
According to the developers, the aircraft with this radar and modern computer equipment will be the best in the world in its class. Experts believe that it will be almost impossible to “drown” the board by electronic warfare.
Coming Soon
For the Aerospace Forces, they will build the second serial A-100 Premier Long Range Radar Detection Aircraft (AWACS), sources in the Defense Ministry and the military-industrial complex told Izvestia. A fundamental decision on this has been made, but the specific timing depends on the pace of production of the IL-76MD-90A. New AWACS are built on the basis of these military transport vehicles.
The development work of Premier 476 to create a multifunctional aircraft for air surveillance and control has been underway since 2013. Now there is one prototype based on the serial IL-76MD-90A and one flying laboratory, redone from the previous modification of the IL transporter.
Completion of the creation and testing of the A-100 is scheduled for 2024. After that, serial production of aircraft should begin and their predecessors, the A-50 and the upgraded A-50U, should be replaced.
Even being 200 km from the front line, the AWACS aircraft sees far inland the enemy’s defense, noted Honored Test Pilot Hero of Russia Igor Malikov.
“The machine detects any ground and air targets,” an expert told Izvestia. “For operational management this is absolutely necessary. It’s difficult to control aircraft if you don’t see the enemy. I participated in the tests of the A-50. We raised planes, and he aimed each of them at the target”.
A feature of the latest AWACS aircraft is the ability to transmit target data in a fully automatic mode, without involving voice communications. Now it is almost impossible to “drown out” by electronic warfare, added Igor Malikov.
According to the general designer of the Vega concern Vladimir Verba, who was developing electronics for the A-100, it managed to embody the most advanced domestic achievements in radar and information technologies.
Flying headquarters
Now VKS use two types of AWACS aircraft. About two dozen A-50s were inherited from the USSR. In recent years, six of them have undergone modernization to the A-50U level. They received advanced radar and command center equipment.
Compared with the aircraft of the A-50 family, the tasks of the Premiere are significantly expanded. This is noticeable in its official name. In the military department, it is designated by the term “multifunctional aviation complex for radar monitoring and guidance” (IAC RLDN).
According to the military, with the help of its radar, the Premier will be able to detect not only air, but also sea and ground targets. The officers and specialists on board will be able to direct the air force of the airborne forces and navy and high-precision weapons of destruction on the enemy.
The communication equipment installed on board allows you to integrate the aircraft into modern automated control systems. It can transmit real-time air traffic information to ground headquarters and air defense systems.
In recent years, Russian aerospace forces have gained practical experience in using AWACS in combat. After the attacks of the Western coalition countries on the Syrian air base Shairat in 2017, one or two A-50s are constantly on duty at the Russian base of Khmeimim. They are used to track the air situation over Syria.
Creation program
The Taganrog Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex named after G.M. Berieva. It is there that they will carry out the installation of sophisticated radar equipment and on-board electronics of the control center, which are developed by the enterprises of the Vega concern.
The main advantage of the A-100 was the new dual-band radar with a phased array antenna. It not only has an increased detection range, but it is also able to better distinguish between targets, including “invisible” planes for conventional radars and cruise missiles created using stealth technologies.
According to the general designer of the Vega concern, with the new equipment, the aircraft surpasses all foreign analogues, including the American Boeing E-3 Sentry. Russian flying radar can simultaneously accompany up to 300 targets at a distance of 650 km.
The platform for creating the A-100 is the modernized IL-76MD-90A aircraft, which is produced in Ulyanovsk at the Aviastar-SP enterprise. The lightweight design of an advanced military transport vehicle, combined with new fuel-efficient engines, increased the duration of patrols.
On duty in the air a thousand kilometers from the Premier base is capable of for six hours. In flight, the car can refuel. The aircraft received a digital control system and a modern “glass cockpit” with multi-function indicators instead of mechanical devices.
During a visit to Aviastar-SP in March last year, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Yuri Borisov pointed out that the deadlines for fulfilling the state defense order had been missed. The plant delayed the production of IL-76MD-90A for several months. The enterprise has failed to catch up so far. This slows down the start of testing the A-100.
In the course of development work under the Premier 476 program, first new radar equipment was mounted on an old 1990 A-50 AWACS aircraft. He became a flying laboratory, which worked out the individual elements of the complex.
The only new A-100 built today took off on November 18, 2017. In February 2019, tests of all equipment in the complex began on it. Currently, specialists of the development companies are engaged in the refinement of the equipment. (Source: News Now/https://bulgarianmilitary.com/)
08 Jul 20. Northrop Grumman Short Range Air Defense System Selected as Command and Control for US Forces to Counter Aerial Threats.
Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control is Department of Defense system of choice for Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial System
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) system has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) as the interim command and control system for future Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) procurements.
The decision follows the findings of a service board established by the DOD’s Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-sUAS) Office to evaluate and provide an order-of-merit list for “best-of-breed” systems to counter small drones. The down-select board was comprised of representatives from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Special Operations Command, and senior representatives from the acquisition, technical, operational and other communities. FAAD C2 will serve as the current joint common C-sUAS C2 platform while an enduring solution is developed.
“Our FAAD C2 has been saving lives at Forward Operating Bases and locations around the world since 2005,” said Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager, combat systems and mission readiness, Northrop Grumman. “FAAD C2 continuously evolves to defend against new threats like small unmanned aerial systems and will continue to be the gold standard for protection of our troops whether stationed at bases or on the move.”
FAAD C2 is a battle-proven C2 system, deployed in several theaters of operation for the C-UAS and C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar) missions for its proven performance and flexibility that enables easy integration with available sensors, effectors and warning systems to launch rapid, real-time defense against short range and maneuvering threats. It also has been selected as the C2 system for the Army’s Initial Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (IM-SHORAD) platforms. FAAD-C2 is built on the open architecture common to the Northrop Grumman all-domain C4I solution ecosystem and will ultimately converge into the US Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS).
07 Jul 20. The U.S. Air Force has placed an initial order for Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) LITENING advanced targeting pods with full-color digital video capability and two-color laser spot search and track.
“LITENING’s color video capability works with the way we naturally see the world to give warfighters in the cockpit and on the ground more complete situational understanding in less time,” said Ryan Tintner, vice president, navigation, targeting and surveillance, Northrop Grumman. “Whether the mission is close air support, surveillance, search and rescue or training, LITENING’s latest upgrade will help ensure that warfighters don’t miss a thing.”
The human eye can see millions of shades of color, an ability that enables everyday decision-making. In a combat environment, additional information can be critical, shortening the time required to confirm the identity of a target and take action. LITENING’s digital color video, with greater than 1K x 1K resolution, will give warfighters a significantly more detailed understanding of their environment.
Built with a modular design, any LITENING pod can be upgraded to the color configuration. This upgrade also includes the ability to record simultaneous video feeds from all sensors for post-mission analysis, automatic laser code display and an eye-safe mode that allows for more realistic training while using the laser.
Northrop Grumman has delivered nearly 900 LITENING pods to U.S. and international customers. The pods have achieved more than one million combat hours.
06 Jul 20. RADA’s Radars in the Heart of “Interim C-sUAS Capability” Selected by the US Army. RADA’s Current Developments Address Future and Evolving Needs to Maintain Leadership. RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: RADA) announced the incorporation of its tactical radars in Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) capabilities which were assessed and recently selected as interim solutions by the US Army.
The assessment was performed by the Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO), which was established by the Secretary of the Army per the assignment of the Defense Secretary.
The US Army announcement can be viewed in the referenced link here.
The Army has defined four C-sUAS categories: fixed/semi-fixed systems, mounted/mobile system, handheld systems, and command & control.
RADA’s radars are the incumbent radar system in the L-MADIS platform which was selected as the mounted/mobile system, and are incorporated in part of the recommended fixed solutions, along with other fixed solutions deployed across the US. While not relevant to handheld systems, RADA’s radars are compatible with the recommended command and control systems.
Dov Sella, RADA’s CEO, commented, “The US Army’s selection of our technology re-emphasizes the positioning of our radars as a premiere option for any C-sUAS solution. We believe that this selection will increase our share in this proliferating market in the near term. In line with the US Army statement, which “…will consider not only the most up-to-date existing technologies, but, more importantly, those new and emerging technologies currently in development”, we are in advanced development stages of our next-generation tactical radars that aim to address future challenges and demanding capabilities at highly affordable performance-to-price points.”
Concluded Mr. Sella, “RADA USA, our Maryland-based subsidiary which was established to serve the U.S. defense and aerospace markets from a local base, is now operating at full production capability. It will manufacture and fulfill all of the US demand for our advanced multi-mission tactical radars, for C-sUAS and other requirements.” (Source: PR Newswire)
06 Jul 20. Israel feels exposed as U.S. drops satellite-imaging cap. An Israeli official flagged a possible security risk on Monday following a U.S. move to allow American providers to sell clearer satellite images of Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Under a 1997 U.S. regulation known as the Kyl-Bingaman Amendment, satellite images of Israel and the Palestinian territories used in services like Google Earth could show items no smaller than 2 metres (6.56 ft) across.
The curb, Israel had argued, would help prevent enemies using public-domain information to spy on its sensitive sites.
But the U.S. Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs Office said on June 25 it would allow enhanced resolutions of 0.4 metre. In a statement to Reuters, the agency said “a number of foreign sources” are already producing and disseminating sub-2 m. imagery of Israel.
Amnon Harari, head of space programmes at Israel’s Defence Ministry, said he believed the move was designed to ease international competition for U.S. commercial satellites, adding: “I don’t think they (Americans) asked us” in advance.
“We are in a process of studying what exactly is written there, what exactly the intentions are, what we can respond to, ultimately,” Harari told Israel’s public radio station Kan.
“We would always prefer to be photographed at the lowest resolution possible. It’s always preferable to be seen blurred, rather than precisely.”
Israel worries that Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Gaza’s Hamas militants could use commercial satellite images to plan rocket strikes on key civilian and military infrastructure.
Higher resolution images could also potentially help track the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank which opponents see as obstructing Palestinian statehood hopes.
Hagit Ofran of Peace Now, an Israeli anti-settlement monitor, welcomed the prospect of sharper images. With lower quality photos, she said, “it is difficult to know if what you are seeing is a new house or just a chicken coop”.
Google Earth referred Reuters to third-party providers when asked if the U.S. move would affect the satellite images it publishes of Israel and the Palestinian territories.
One such U.S. company, Planet, said in a statement: “When the policy change goes into effect, we will follow the new provisions for providing high resolution imagery of the region.” (Source: Reuters)
01 Jul 20. Rinicom partners with Dronengel to promote SkyPatriot counter drone systems. Drone detection company Rinicom has partnered with counter drone provider Dronengel to promote the SkyPatriot optical Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (C-UAV) solution.
Rinicom provides AI-based electro-optical UAV detection technologies, including the SkyPatriot family of optical drone detection systems. Dronengel has added the SkyPatriot optical solution to their current offering of radio frequency and jamming products to offer a layered solution for militaries, governments and major infrastructure clients across multiple continents. Rinicom is supporting Dronengel with immediate deployments across their local region and overseas to bolster existing solutions. Rinicom will also be working to secure new business within the French market via Dronengel.
Sam Lowe, Rinicoms Sales and Business Development Manager said “We are thrilled to have Dronengel onboard to promote our SkyPatriot technologies within France and further afield. Working with Jean-Christophe, Chairman of JCPX has been a pleasure and it’s clear to understand why the business is well respected in the drone and counter measure industry. We look forward to supporting Dronengel in the coming weeks to help boost their presence in the optical C-UAV space”.
Jean-Chistophe, Chairman at Dronengel said “We would like to thank Rinicom for their trust for onboarding EO drone detection systems in JCPX’ portfolio. With Sam, Rinicom’s sales business development manager, it has been easy to understand the added value from AI applied to EO UAV detection systems through innovations from Rinicom. Optical C-UAV capabilities are a customer’s loved solution because of scalability and easy way of use, Rinicom’s technology offers a new age to Dronengel’ counter-drone multilayers systems and we look forward to the coming deployments.”
For more information visit:
www.dronengel.com
www.rinicom.com
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
06 Jul 20. Meprolight – a member of the SK Group and a leading manufacturer of electro-optical systems, thermal, night vision equipment, and self-illuminated sights for military, law enforcement and civilian applications – now introduces the Mepro FT Bullseye optical pistol sight to law-enforcement and HLS forces. FT Bullseye was originally developed for the civilian market. Its qualities, being the smallest optic sight and– fast target acquisition is unprecedented among other pistol-sights. That makes it particularly advantageous for law-enforcement professionals, for whom intuitive, accurate shooting in all/any lighting conditions is an operationally vital advantage. The sight’s compatibility to a variety of pistol models add versatility, simplicity and cost-effectiveness to the various forces with their existing arsenal.
Based on a compact optical illumination patent, the sight’s fiber-optic tritium combination creates a low profile, single rear sight. That enables instant and accurate shooting in all lighting conditions with no batteries needed. It is easily installed on an existing pistol dovetail and is activated from the moment the sight is installed on the pistol.
According to Mr. Ilan Abramovich, V.P. Sales & Marketing – Defense, “The Mepro FT Bullseye sight is an innovative addition to our ever-growing aiming solutions for pistols. Meprolight offers over 180 types of aiming pistol sights for daytime and night-time operations based on various illumination sources – tritium, fiber and reliable LED illumination sources. The Bullseye’s enhanced capabilities meet law-enforcement forces’ needs”.
Corporate VP Marketing & Sales, SK Group Mr. Ronen Hamudot noted that “Our advanced technologies serve all markets – civil, law enforcement, HLS and defense. We are proud of our flexibility to apply solutions to developing needs and keep loyal to our vision – always staying ahead, providing customers with the perfect answer to their new challenges”.
03 Jul 20. AR helps image analysts move towards ‘situational understanding’, says FLIR. FLIR plans to integrate AR into its new Star SAFIRE 380X long-range imaging system with the aim of significantly improving operator situational awareness, company officials have told Shephard.
The 380X was launched in mid-June as an upgrade for the existing Star SAFIRE gimbal systems – such as the 380-HD and the smaller 380-HDc – or as a new-build standalone system.
It brings added capability with no external dimensional changes and a weight increase of less than 3lb (1.4kg), while remaining a single Laser Range Unit system, said Troy Boonstra, senior director of sensor systems product management at FLIR.
FLIR plans to provide AR for operators over the next year or so, he added, meaning that operators on the ground could see line graphic overlays of selected parameters on the image they receive on a mission computer.
‘We’re moving beyond situational awareness to situational understanding,’ Boonstra told Shephard. ‘It’s the ability to present information in a format that is easily and quickly interpreted and improves cognitive workload.’
Processors have been miniaturised to support various features but the key attractions for military operators are graphics overlays and symbology, said Boonstra. For example, militaries often rely on battlefield graphics that display everything from enemy positions to restricted/no-fire areas.
Previously, operators would have to compare this with a pre-existing map or a navigation system, but with AR it can be combined into one image (pictured).
FLIR claims the 380X offers multiple other improvements over its existing EO/IR imaging systems, such as greater clarity via a filter that removes atmospheric effects, revealing fine details that would otherwise be hard to detect.
Multiple video management allows operators to view several video sources simultaneously, including all camera payloads and external input. A new user interface will provide menus with customisable, icon-based graphics.
Finally, Star SAFIRE 380X will offer improved targeting, with a moving target indicator to help identify threats earlier and more definitively.
In the longer term, FLIR aims to incorporate AI into the sensors to classify targets and detect anomalies, said Boonstra.
‘AI running in the background can detect anomalies quicker than the human eye and human brain and highlight them to the operator,’ he noted. ‘So it helps with workload and improves understanding. The idea is to expedite the decision-making cycle.’ (Source: Shephard)
01 Apr. 20. Raptor launches the World’s first SWaP Optimised ½” / VGA sensor with VIS-SWIR Response. Raptor Photonics, a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance digital cameras has launched the World’s first SWaP Optimised ½” / VGA sensor with VIS-SWIR Response. With a 10µm x 10µm pixel pitch, the Owl 640 T has less than 50 electrons readout noise, with a high intra-scene dynamic range of 69dB that enables simultaneous capture of bright and dark portions of a scene.
Available with a 12-bit Camera Link output, the Owl 640 T runs from 10 to 60Hz. The camera features an on-board Automated Gain Control (AGC) which enables the best contrast imaging from a dark to bright imaging scene, as well as an on-board intelligent 3 point Non-Uniform Correction (NUC), providing the highest quality images. The Owl 640 T offers ½” optical design, taking advantage of a smaller and lighter lens. The camera is the ideal solution for the Mini UAV and Gimbal market and hand-held integrated systems.
As with all Raptor cameras, the Owl 640 T is ultra-compact and rugged. The camera uses a Thermometric cooler to stabilize the sensor temperature with no fan being used.
The camera comes with a range of analysis software including XCAP and Micromanager and a standard CameraLink frame grabber (EPIX).
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Blighter® Surveillance Systems (BSS) is a UK-based electronic-scanning radar and sensor solution provider delivering an integrated multi-sensor package to systems integrators comprising the Blighter electronic-scanning radars, cameras, thermal imagers, trackers and software solutions. Blighter radars combine patented solid-state Passive Electronic Scanning Array (PESA) technology with advanced Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) and Doppler processing to provide a robust and persistent surveillance capability. Blighter Surveillance Systems is a Plextek Group company, a leading British design house and technology innovator, and is based at Great Chesterford on the outskirts of Cambridge, England.
The Blighter electronic-scanning (e-scan) FMCW Doppler ground surveillance radar (GSR) is a unique patented product that provides robust intruder detection capabilities under the most difficult terrain and weather conditions. With no mechanical moving parts and 100% solid-state design, the Blighter radar family of products are extremely reliable and robust and require no routine maintenance for five years. The Blighter radar can operate over land and water rapidly searching for intruders as small a crawling person, kayaks and even low-flying objects. In its long-range modes the Blighter radar can rapidly scan an area in excess of 3,000 km² to ensure that intruders are detected, identified and intercepted before they reach critical areas.
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