Web Page sponsored by Blighter Surveillance Systems
www.blighter.com
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03 Aug 21. Blighter to showcase A800 3D multi-mode radar at DSEI 2021. Blighter Surveillance Systems (‘Blighter’, www.blighter.com) the British designer and manufacturer of electronic-scanning radars and surveillance solutions, will be showcasing its innovative A800 3D multi-mode drone detection radar at DSEI 2021. DSEI is taking place from Tuesday 14th September to Friday 17th September at the ExCeL exhibition centre in London. Blighter will be displaying its equipment on Stand H2-866 in the ADS Group UK Pavilion.
Blighter’s A800 radar (www.blighter.com/a800) offers an innovative ground-based solution to threat detection, utilising multi-mode surveillance capability usually reserved only for large-scale radar systems and packaging it into a smaller, more flexible radar with a maximum range of 20km. The A800 3D multi-mode radar is ideally suited to border and perimeter surveillance, capable of being mounted to fixed towers and masts, as well as to land vehicles and mobile surveillance trailers. This will be the first time that the A800 will be available to view in person.
As with the majority of industry, Blighter’s appearance at DSEI will be their first in-person event in over a year, and it follows a year of exciting developments for the Cambridgeshire-based SME. Recently, Blighter cemented its position in South Korea by affirming its partnership with South Korean integration and certification firm Dt&C (www.dtnc.co.kr), a relationship which has been a vital part of Blighter’s consolidation of its position in the South Korean market.
Blighter Co-Founder and CTO Mark Radford gave a presentation to the first C-UAS Industry Action Group established by the UK Home Office’s Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC), offering his insight into the role of radar in C-UAS and highlighting the importance of information sharing between C-UAS providers and Government. Mark’s whitepaper on the capabilities of Blighter’s innovative multi-mode radar was also published, explaining the advantages conferred by the A800 3D multi-mode radar.
Most recently, Blighter was selected to provide advanced integrated B400 series target acquisition radars for a fleet of Armoured Fighting Vehicles, demonstrating the company’s agility in providing the versatile systems required for such a demanding and mobile role, and in July Blighter’s US partner JGW Group also delivered demonstrations of the highly mobile A400 series radars’ ability to detect and track sUAS targets.
Angus Hone, CEO of Blighter Surveillance Systems said, “We are excited to showcase our best-in-class Ground Surveillance Radars at our stand in the ADS Group UK Pavilion. We are looking forward to displaying our cutting-edge A800 3D multi-mode radar which will be available to view in person for the first time and we will be on-hand to brief stakeholders on its detection capabilities.”
19 Jul 21. L3Harris Technologies Developing Future NATO Surveillance Concepts with International Team. L3Harris Technologies, with a team of leading international defense and technology companies, is developing surveillance concepts for NATO to replace the organization’s aging Airborne Warning and Control System fleet by 2035. The team is developing “system of systems” options for surveillance and control capabilities for NATO’s Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) program. Led by L3Harris, the team unifies the expertise across the international stage, sharing a vision of a data-centric, platform-agnostic approach. International team members will be announced at a future date.
”L3Harris has the skill and experience to address AFSC program complexities across all domains,” said Charles R. “CR” Davis, Vice President International, L3Harris. “The team has approached the Risk Reduction Feasibility Study phase with an open mind toward the platforms and digital architectures that will best achieve NATO’s objectives. It is critical to give NATO and the member nations as much flexibility as possible in developing an advanced technology, highly adaptive, cost-effective AFSC concept shaped to meet evolving hybrid challenges.”
The international team will analyze the risks and feasibility of candidate components within its systems of systems to enhance the NATO Alliance’s military advantage to 2035 and beyond. The L3Harris team harnesses the strengths of multiple global defense companies to offer engineering innovation, battle-winning capability experience, and a shared vision to increase the effectiveness of future NATO military operations.
“NATO has made it very clear that its objective is to ensure data and information are placed at the heart of all future AFSC capabilities,” said Dave Johnson, Vice President, Strategy, Integrated Mission Systems, L3Harris. “With our data-centric, platform-agnostic architecture approach and experience building JADC2 capabilities, the L3Harris team is committed to working with NATO, studying all aspects of its flagship program and developing a concept for joint all-domain surveillance and control for the AFSC program.”
26 Aug 21. HENSOLDT to support Frontex maritime surveillance project. ARGOS-II HD thermal imaging camera to be deployed on aerostats. Leading-edge sensor technology developed by HENSOLDT will strengthen Frontex maritime surveillance in the Mediterranean Sea and contribute to the protection of Europe’s strategic south-eastern border. In the frame of a technology pilot programme, HENSOLDT’s ARGOS-II HD electro-optical infra-red (eoir) system will be deployed on two tethered aerostats and deliver extensive security surveillance.
The project is operated by Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency – which has the mandate to safeguard the external borders of the European Union and ensure the freedom and territorial integrity of member states.
Andreas Huelle, Head of HENSOLDT’s Optronics Division, says: “This innovative technology offers Frontex the ability to monitor a very strategic maritime coastline and collect critical data. This is a capability that has been identified as a strategic priority by both the EU and the United Nations.”
The ARGOS-II HD forms part of an integrated turn-key solution that consists of advanced sensors that are fitted on two aerostats, provided by CNIM Air Space, tethered on Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. At altitudes of several hundred metres above the host islands the ARGOS-II covers a range of up to 40 km and can detect both large and small vessels and monitor activities with exceptional clarity and detail. It is in operation 24/7,day and night, even in inclement weather. The continuous zoom thermal imaging camera records the images and transmit video and data in real time to base stations on the ground.
“Argos II is one of the best eoir sensors in the market today and will provide Frontex with accurate, real-time information on activities in the maritime environment and enable it to analyse situations and initiate respective counter measures”, says Mischa Niedinger, Director of Airborne Systems Sales at HENSOLDT.
The ARGOS-II HD system can be fitted onto fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and aerostats. It is used extensively in border protection, search and rescue operations, maritime patrols, law enforcement and asset protection. It is already widely used in the security and surveillance environments, including by the German Federal Police where it is deployed in anti-smuggling, illegal trafficking, and border security operations.
01 Sep 21. Silent Sentinel expands thermal imaging range with new EVO2 technology. British threat detection specialist Silent Sentinel (www.silentsentinel.com) has announced the launch of a new range of thermal sensors to complement its existing platforms. The EVO2 range of uncooled Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) thermal sensors will utilize the very latest in both thermal core and lens technology, providing advanced detection capabilities in the most extreme conditions. The range will be available to view in-person at DSEI 2021, at Silent Sentinel’s Stand H1-438 in the Security Zone.
The EVO2 range will be available within the existing Oculus, Aeron, Osiris, and Jaegar camera platforms, all available within the hard anodised, rugged housing which is tested to an IP67 level of environmental protection. The EVO2 thermal cameras are also capable of operating within a temperature range from -30°C to 65°C.
One of the key features of the EVO2 range is the standardisation of features which are typically provided by competitors as optional extras. For example, the EVO2 range will feature push autofocus as standard on Silent Sentinel’s zoom lens cameras, along with a 12μm pixel pitch as standard, which improves the range performance of the camera. The EVO2 range will also capture thermal images in 640×512 resolution but will also be available in 1024×768 (XGA resolution). The standardisation of these features encapsulates Silent Sentinel’s status as an early adopter of new and innovative technologies which are typically unavailable in the wider market.
Silent Sentinel will be showcasing the EVO2 Oculus continuous rotation dual sensor PTZ camera on their stand in the Security Zone at DSEI 2021 from Tuesday 14th September to Friday 17th September. The EVO2 Oculus offers uncooled LWIR thermal fixed lens options up to 35mm, 360°continuous rotation with pan and tilt speeds up to 180°per second, a wiper on the HD visible sensor as standard, and inverted, upright or inclined mounting options.
James Longcroft, Sales Director at Silent Sentinel said, “The EVO2 range of thermal sensors exemplifies Silent Sentinel’s status as a supplier of platforms equipped with innovative technologies as standard, and our ambition to consistently provide best-in-class thermal imaging threat detection systems. We look forward to showcasing our cutting-edge thermal core and lens technology alongside our brand-new products on our stand at DSEI.”
14 Sep 21. Collins Aerospace unveils updates to SCi-Toolset, enhancing its ability to turn ISR data into actionable intelligence.
- Recent updates enable collection and fusion of both active and passive sensor data
- Modular software design means SCi-Toolset can operate as standalone applications or as a system
- In use with and available to both civilian and military sectors
Collins Aerospace recently announced a number of technical updates to its SCi (Simplifying Complex information)-Toolset, a highly capable and proven data management, analysis and intelligence development software solution designed to work within closed coalition, shared enterprise environments.
SCi-Toolset offers a flexible and modular approach to ISR data management, exploitation and dissemination – whether as a single stand-alone node deployed in the battlespace, or as part of a wider data-sharing solution spread across multiple independent sites. The SCi-Toolset simplifies complex information gathered from many different sensors so analysts can disseminate relevant information across bandwidth-constrained networks to military decision makers.
“With its comprehensive functionality and suite of powerful interactive capabilities, SCi-Toolset provides the actionable intelligence needed to support decisions that matter,” said Dave McClure, vice president and general manager of ISR and Space Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “This functionality ensures advanced situational awareness of both the local and wider battlespace for not only the individual warfighter, but also the broader command structure. And all of this is achieved through instantaneous shared-distribution of sensor-driven data not tied to any specific source or format.”
Through recent updates to its radar data management capabilities and databases, the SCi-Toolset can collect both passive and active data, day or night, over either land or sea for use by both ground and maritime forces.
The SCi-Toolset is already being used by a number of international air forces, coalitions and specialist ISR operators in both the civilian and military sectors.
23 Aug 21. TMD is back at DSEI with new MPMs and advanced microwave products on Stand H2-676. TMD Technologies Limited (TMD – now part of Communications & Power Industries LLC (CPI), a leading West London based manufacturer in the microwave and radio frequency (RF) field, will be showing two recently launched travelling wave tube (TWT)-based microwave power modules (MPMs) at the DSEI 2021 show: namely the PTXM9754, 6 to 18GHz, 100W unit and the PTX8815, Ka band, 1100W unit.
In addition, TMD will be exhibiting its PTXM Series ultra-compact MPMs, PTCM Series intelligent instrumentation amplifiers and a selection from its range of radar tracking transponders.
Meeting up – at last!
Commented Nigel Hann, TMD’s sales director. “DSEI is a major event for TMD – even more so this time, when we can meet up with friends and new acquaintances as a new part of Communications & Power Industries. Not only does DSEI 2021 take place in a Covid-safe environment outside of the centre of London, but the format once again enables us to make direct contact with government and defence customers and industry leaders. It opens up the entire defence and security supply chain worldwide – offering us a superb platform for TMD products, as well as a host of valuable opportunities to have meaningful in-person communications”
“TMD will be fielding a full team at DSEI, supported by many colleagues including Dave Brown, who leads the TMD business” continued Nigel Hann.
PTXM9754 – ultra compact modular MPM offering a host of features
The PTXM9754 is designed as a single ‘drop-in’ microwave amplifier block and features a broadband 6 to 18GHz TWT capable of providing 100W continuous wave (CW) power across the band. It incorporates a focus electrode modulator to allow operation at high pulse rate frequencies (PRFs), making it ideal for pulsed applications such as in electronic countermeasures (ECMs) and radars. A low gain TWT working with a low noise solid state preamplifier provides optimum noise performance.
As well as being of low weight and small size, the PTXM9754 features excellent thermal management. Its high electrical efficiency means that the minimum level of cooling is required – resulting in high-reliability operation over a wide temperature range. Also, by virtue of its fully encapsulated high voltage section, the unit is capable of operating at high altitudes and in high humidity.
PTX8815 Ka band MPM for high performance radar
The new PTX8815 TWTA from TMD is designed for Ka-band radar applications such as naval fire control. Featuring broadband capability, covering 34 to 36GHz, it offers a peak power of over 1100W in the mid-band, and 600W at the band edges, with a maximum duty of up to 12 percent. This top-class TWT amplifier (TWTA) is the answer to high-fidelity radar requirements for low close-to-carrier phase noise and spurious performance.
TWT based PTXM series ultra-compact MPMs
Offering very low volume and weight, TMD’s TWT-based PTXM Series MPMs are designed for airborne radar, electronic warfare (EW) and communications and are ideal for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). They operate over the 4.5 to 18GHz range with output powers up to 140W. Incorporating mini TWTs and super efficiency packaging, they offer one of the highest power densities on the market today.
High-performance PTCM Series instrumentation amplifiers
Built to military standards, TMD’s PTCM Series intelligent TWT instrumentation amplifiers offer customers the highest performance and a wealth of operational benefits. They are suitable not only for electromagnetic capability/ electronic countermeasure (EMC/ECM) testing applications, but also for many other scientific and medical applications. Furthermore, TMD has now introduced an ultra-high power, dual-combined version of instrumentation amplifiers.
Transponders
TMD offers a range of in-house designed and manufactured radar transponders and support equipment for radar applications that include UAVs, missiles, and manned aircraft.
For more information, please contact TMD UK or TMD US .
17 Aug 21. Next Generation Low Light Camera Technology. Seeing in low light is desirable over a broad spectrum of environmental conditions. Raptor cameras are compact and rugged, operating in harsh climates. This is essential for customers who quite often put the cameras into “mission
critical” applications, which run 24/7. Raptor now has cameras and systems being used underwater, on land, in the air and even in space—where Raptor cameras are used in low-orbit cube satellites for earth observation and 5G telecommunication networks. SWIR Camera technology
Raptor’s camera technology enables users to see subject matter in very low levels of light. Since its inception, Raptor has been a leading player in the design and development of SWIR cameras using InGaAs sensors. Many applications that are difficult to perform using visible light are made possible with SWIR imaging, enabling the user to “see beyond the visible.” ##
Unlike mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and longwave infrared (LWIR) light, which is emitted from the object itself, SWIR is similar to visible light in that photons are reflected or absorbed by an object. The reflective nature of SWIR light provides the strong contrast needed for higher-resolution imaging. Ambient starlight and background radiance (nightglow) are natural emitters of SWIR and provide excellent illumination for low-light or nighttime imaging, including imaging though fog, haze and water vapors. The cameras are capable of imaging from 600 nm to 1700 nm.
Raptor’s family of InGaAs focal plane arrays offer different resolutions and pixel pitches along with cooling, readout and interface alternatives, providing a range of options for customers requiring visible and SWIR imaging. Low-noise electronics and readout integrated circuit (ROIC) design ensuring high quality images. Furthermore, Raptor is certified to the ISO 9001:2015 standard. Raptor Photonics is a UK-based specialist camera company, developing ruggedized, SWaP enabled camera cores and systems for the surveillance and defence markets.
Owl 1280 Vis-SWIR camera
SWIR Monocular / Pocketscope
Raptor has developed a handheld ultra-compact multifunctional tactical SWIR monocular which operates in zero light conditions, greatly enhancing vision at night or in dust, fog,
smoke conditions as well as full day time operation. It offers countermeasure capability in that it detects all FoF (Friend or Foe) LTD (Laser Target Designator) wavelengths. It is ideal for
special operations personnel, offering a compact, lightweight, rugged, and reliable solution. It can be handheld or weapon mounted, allowing for both passive day and night vision and See Spot Detection (Laser Target designation) for any battlefield laser, from 600nm to 1700nm. The full system is rugged, small and ideal for field application. The system comes with an integrated 1550nm laser illuminator (not detectable by GEN II or III monocular or NVG) for discrete covert night vision application. It is light weight, pocket-sized developed to provide precise and accurate
target acquisition during day and night operations. It is available with different SWIR optimised lenses, 14mm and 50mm
Next generation CMOS technology
Raptor has recently launched a family of next generation CMOS based digital cameras offering superb night vision capability. There are two options offering SVGA and HD resolution, both are mono, global shutter compact camera core in low light
performance. The camera is SWaP optimised and designed to Mil Spec (-40°C to +75°C) standards. It is perfect for integrating into gimbals and turrets and there are many custom options for OEMs including electronics, mechanics, extended operational temperature as well as digital video outputs.
OEM Capabilities
Raptor is working with many major OEMs and instrumentation companies globally across a wide range of applications, who need custom designs to meet their exact imaging and detection requirements. We work collaboratively to understand their
camera needs and develop robust solutions through a detailed project management system. We design and develop core camera platforms which can then be customised / tailored to address specific requirements. Our quality, reliability, flexibility, and fast delivery make us a very attractive solution for OEMs.
For further information on any of these products or our camera capabilities please visit our website
www.raptorphotonics.com
17 Aug 21. Introducing the next generation Sea Eagle FCEO, MKII from Chess Dynamics. The next generation, fully digital, high resolution, stabilised, compact, precision Fire Control Electro-Optical tracking director. The importance of persistent situational awareness, visual target tracking and gunnery fire control has never been more essential in modern naval warfare. High resolution cameras provide far better performance than the human eye using binoculars, day and night. The integrated targeting, awareness and gunnery director is an essential tool for target identification and engagement in Tactical Mode (TM).
The new FCEO from Chess Dynamics also serves as a critical aid for security, search and rescue, Infra-red search and track (IRST), navigation, aircraft control and even mine avoidance in non-tactical Surveillance Mode (SM).
Key Features:
- Modular HD IR and DLTV cameras
- Full digital architecture
- Ethernet interface
- High bandwidth brushless direct drive motion control
- Gyro-stabilized
- Integrated Mega-pixel situational awareness camera
- Integrated dual channel digital video tracker
- 10Hz Laser Range Finder (LRF)
- Camera wipers for all weather operations
- Low maintenance
- High reliability, long service life
- Light weight
- Low power consumption
17 Aug 21. Exensor Technology to supply the Swedish Armed Forces for enhanced domestic security. On June 29, 2021, Exensor Technology – a subsidiary of Bertin Technologies (CNIM Group) – was once again selected by the Swedish Armed Forces for the supply of the Flexnet Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) solution. It will be the first time this scalable mesh networked system will be used by the Swedish Home Guard to protect, guard and monitor the national territory. Formal signing ceremony was held in the headquarters of Försvarets Materielverk, the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration, in Stockholm on the 29th of June, 2021. Under the terms of this important contract, a considerable amount of systems will be delivered over two years, between 2022 and 2023.
Exensor Technology will provide the Swedish National Security Forces with a large number of tactical modular ground sensor systems to improve their operational and strategic capabilities for protection and intelligence gathering. It will rest on the Flexnet surveillance solution consisting in a toolbox of wireless and battery-operated sensors and cameras for detection, classification and identification of any potential threat on the ground.
Composed of a portfolio of passive seismic-acoustic and infrared sensors, along with night/day motion cameras, Flexnet registers movement and threat activities, thus reducing burden on the operators. By offering a compact and lightweight footprint for easy transportation and concealment, the Flexnet system can be rapidly deployed in remote areas of interest.
As a tailored, robust solution, Flexnet also allows for customized configurations to adapt to any specific situation, regardless of the environment. Mission dependent, Flexnet can be used as a standalone system or be integrated with other C2 systems for battle management, in order to increase the Swedish Home Guard’ situational awareness and strengthen its decision-making capability.
This user-friendly, advance sensor technology will thus meet the most demanding requirements of the Swedish Home Guard in terms of accuracy, reliability and short responsiveness for the benefits of national safety and security.
Following the contract signature, Marcus Rosenqvist – Exensor Technology’s Vice-President Sales and Marketing – said: “This major contract is another important milestone for Exensor and proves our technology meets the highest standards set by our customers. We are proud to be part of the modernization of the Swedish home guard. This new contract further reinforces Exensor’s position as a leading player in the design and manufacture of mobile, scalable sensor platforms for the protection of Armed Forces worldwide.”
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Blighter Surveillance Systems is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of best-in-class electronic-scanning ground-based radars, surveillance solutions and Counter-UAS systems. Blighter’s solid-state micro-Doppler products are deployed in more than 35 countries across the globe, delivering consistent all-weather security protection and wide area surveillance along borders, coastlines, at military bases and across critical infrastructure such as airports, oil and gas facilities and palaces. Blighter radars are also used to protect manoeuvre force missions when deployed on military land vehicles and trailers, and its world-beating multi-mode radar represents a great leap in threat detection technology and affordability for use in a variety of scenarios.
The Blighter range of radar products are used for detecting a variety of threats, from individuals on foot to land vehicles, boats, drones and low-flying aircraft at ranges of up to 32 km. Blighter Surveillance Systems employs 40 people and is located near Cambridge, UK, where it designs, produces and markets its range of unique patented solid-state radars. Blighter prides itself on being an engineer-led business committed to providing cost-effective and flexible solutions across the defence, critical infrastructure and national security markets.
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