Sponsored by Blighter Surveillance Systems
www.blighter.com
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24 Jan 19. SRC demos AN/TPQ-49 radar capabilities. SRC has announced that it successfully demonstrated the ability of its AN/TPQ-49 radar to conduct counter-UAS and air surveillance missions in September for the Australian Defence Force’s Ground Based Air Defence and Radar programme. The AN/TPQ-49 radar can be upgraded with SRC’s LSTAR air surveillance software to provide UAS air surveillance capabilities without replacing the radar’s hardware. The Australian Army is investigating options for the development of a counter-UAS and air surveillance capability to help protect soldiers from hostile UAS. Australia already uses the AN/TPQ-49 radar for counterfire operations. (Source: Shephard)
22 Jan 19. FLIR Launches Scion Thermal Monocular for Public Safety Professionals. FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced today the launch of the FLIR Scion™ Professional Thermal Monocular (PTM) for public safety professionals. The Scion PTM is powered by FLIR’s high-performance Boson® thermal core for greater image quality and features connectivity with FLIR TruWITNESS® to allow real-time encrypted thermal video streaming to provide professionals with greater situational awareness. The rugged Scion PTM features FLIR’s most advanced thermal imaging core, which allows users to quickly detect objects with greater detail and offer clear vision in low visibility conditions. Available in a 60 hertz refresh rate, the Scion PTM features 2 gigabytes of internal storage and a microSD™ card slot to record both geotagged video or still images for later playback. Additional features include, picture-in-picture zoom, global positioning system (GPS) functionality, and both Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi capabilities to allow simple file transfer between devices.
When linked with the FLIR TruWITNESS wearable sensor platform built for city-level security and public safety operations, Scion PTM combines video, audio, and location data to allow organizations to stream thermal footage of any pursuit, evidence recovery, or search and rescue effort to the command center via wireless network.
“The FLIR Scion is FLIR’s most feature rich commercial thermal handheld monocular available, bringing a new level of technology to public safety agencies,” said Jim Cannon, President and CEO for FLIR Systems. “Additionally, the Scion PTM’s integration with FLIR TruWITNESS makes this an invaluable tool that will help provide public safety professionals with more information for real-time decision making in the field.”
The Scion PTM, which replaces FLIR’s H series monocular thermal cameras, is available now in the United States starting at $3,295MSRP through established FLIR dealers. For more information, visit www.flir.com/scion.
23 Jan 19. Streamlight® Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting and weapon light/laser sighting devices, added a new low-profile model to its extensive line of TLR® rail-mounted tactical lights, the TLR-8® G, featuring an “Eye Safe” Green Aiming Laser. The exceptionally lightweight and compact light is designed to maximize visibility and long-range targeting capability in a variety of tactical applications.
“Concealed carry, law enforcement, military and home defense users alike can benefit from the TLR-8 G’s targeted bright light, as well as its powerful green laser,” said Streamlight President and Chief Executive Officer Ray Sharrah. “The laser improves users’ ability to focus on targets during daylight hours, when the color green appears brighter to the human eye than other colored lasers. The light also can be stored on a handgun so that users can more readily identify a potential threat before taking any action.”
Featuring the latest in power LED technology, the TLR-8 G delivers 500 lumens and 5,000 candela over a 140-meter beam distance. The light features three lighting modes, including Laser-Only to keep the gun on target; LED-Only mode to provide bright, focused light; and dual mode, which uses both light sources. Run times are 1.5 hours in LED-Only, LED and Laser, and strobe modes, and 11 hours in Laser-Only mode.
Easily mounted to a wide range of weapons, the TLR-8 G features Streamlight’s one-handed, snap-on-and-tighten interface that keeps hands away from gun muzzles when attaching or detaching them. A key kit is included to securely fit the light to the broadest array of hand guns of any light on the market. Constructed with 6000 Series machined aircraft aluminum with a black anodized finish, the TLR-8 G weighs 2.64 ounces and measures just 2.15 inches in length. With extensively live-fire tested, impact-resistant construction, the new model features an IPX4-rated design for water-resistant operation. The TLR-8 G has an MSRP of $450.00. It comes with Streamlight’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
23 Jan 19. Kansas State to Evaluate Remote-Sensing Technologies to Fight Crime. The Applied Aviation Research Center team at Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus conducts unmanned aircraft systems training for law enforcement. The Applied Aviation Research Center on the Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus is working with law enforcement partners to evaluate small unmanned aircraft remote sensing technologies to reconstruct crime scenes. Under the grant, sponsored by the National Institute of Justice, the center is collaborating with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Riley County Police Department and the Kansas City Police Department in MIssouri to evaluate sUAS remote sensing technology and compare it to the conventional methodology of using terrestrial-based LiDAR — or laser-based remote sensing technology — systems for crime scene reconstruction. Unlike previous studies, the Polytechnic Campus project will use a comprehensive approach to compare sUAS photogrammetry and aerial LiDAR to terrestrial laser scanning at multiple test locations during day and night conditions.
Funding for this research, titled “Evaluation of Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Aerial Remote Sensing with sUAS for Forensic Crime Scene Reconstruction” comes from a seven-month, $91,416 grant from the Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes Program of the National Institute of Justice, a part of the Department of Justice.
“The Applied Aviation Research Center has a mission to help introduce commercial UAS to various lines of business,” said Kurt J. Carraway, the center’s UAS executive director. “Additionally, we provide UAS flight training services to industry partners through our professional education and outreach program. Through this program, approximately 35 percent of the trainees come from the public safety area. Over the past year in particular, we developed strong relationships with multiple law enforcement agencies.”
The project will potentially impact more than 3,000 law enforcement personnel across the country as well as any entity wanting to know more about the benefits and compromises of using remote sensing technologies to produce precise reconstructions of outdoor terrain and features.
“With continued research in forensic documentation, identification, processing and reconstruction, the application of UAS operations has the possibility to positively impact and support public safety agencies in many facets of crime scene,” said M. Wade Cherms, crime scene investigator with the Riley County Police Department. “Conducting trials and testing could impact investigations from scene to courtroom by knowing what works in certain applications indicated through the collection of data.”
Terrestrial laser scanning is an instrumental tool in accurately depicting various crime scenes for use in court, said Robert Jacobs, assistant special agent in charge who oversees the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Scene Response Team.
“Terrestrial laser scanning is extremely helpful, but we’re interested in seeing how the aerial data compares,” Jacobs said. “The aerial perspective has strong potential to provide more details in some instances and may be a quicker and less complex approach to collecting the data.”
Through the use of quantitative and qualitative metrics, the team will evaluate each technology and will produce a journal article detailing the equipment, methods and results of the research. (Source: UAS VISION)
21 Jan 19. UK Drone Dome update. Sources close to BATTLESPACE suggest that the UK’s Strike Command using the MoD’s DE&S JSENS IPT, has commenced finale acceptance and testing trials of the Rafael Drone Dome system at the Spadeadam Range last week. Seven systems, one for evaluation and six for theatre deployment were purchased for £15.8m by the British Army in 2018, without the UAS-destroying laser component, in August 2018. It was used during the disruption at Gatwick Airport during December 2018. Drone Dome is a counter unmanned air system (C-UAS) anti-aircraft system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The system has been used by British and US special forces during their fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[2] It was first displayed in 2016, and joins similar protection systems developed by Rafael such as the Iron Dome.[3] The Drone Dome hosts different sensors including a RADA Electronic Industries RPS-42 radar, a CONTROP Precision Technologies imaging system, and radio signal detectors. The system was reported to have been deployed in Argentina during the 2018 G20 Buenos Aires summit and the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.
The AUDS systems, already in service, did not make the cut for the UK Requirement but it is believed that two systems have been purchased for Gatwick Airport whilst Qinetiq has supplied four systems for Heathrow. A truck-mounted AUDS system is also being trialled at Heathrow (See photo). After the shambolic Sussex Police-led Gatwick incident which led to the airport being closed for two days, Gavin Williamson is believed to have demanded that the Army not the Police (certainly not Sussex) will lead future C-UAV operations. That will relieve the people of Sussex who can now sleep safely in their beds without the possibility of being arrested for crimes they did not commit! Rafael is believed to be looking at a support partner for Drone Dome in the UK and a possible UK strategic acquisition.
21 Jan 19. New Drone Payload Offers Recognition Range of 5km. Shilat Optronics is an Israeli HiTech company specializing in electro-optics, which focuses on developing innovative technologies for defense and homeland security applications. The company is based on proprietary technologies and innovation. The new development is based on an existing observation balloon developed by the company in the past and already in field operation. The balloon is equipped with an original camera payload with unique features designed to meet the special requirements of the balloon. As a static platform, the balloon requires a payload enabling observation over a wide area. The light-weight balloon payload is compact, and it enables long-range observation.
Recently, in response to a requirement from a security organization, the company developed a new payload based on the advantages of the balloon payload, for drone uses. The new development serves as a dual solution bridging the gap between the requirement for a detailed and accurate image at night and the need to refrain from being exposed. World current solutions require a range of 500-600m from the target in order that the drone can see it. However, Shilat’s new payload recognizes the target almost the minute it takes off, thanks to its capability of person recognition from a 5km range. This becomes an operational advantage in situations where the operators want to refrain from getting closer to the target or being exposed. This payload is designed exactly for cases which require long-range vision without getting close to the target.
The cooled thermal camera supplies a high-quality and sensitive image. The innovation in this payload lies in its low weight – only 1.400 kg, even lighter than the balloon payload, and it can be mounted on any commercial drone capable of carrying this weight. While stabilized thermal payloads are usually heavy, this one is a low-weight compact payload with advanced stabilization. The cooled payload supplies a detailed night vision system which is much more stable than the ones offered in the commercial drone market.
The new drone payload draws from the unique capability of the original balloon payload to withstand balloon movement as a result of the wind.
In an interview to iHLS, Dr. Doron Shoham, CTO, Miki Buskila, VP Marketing, and Yuval Gadot, one of the project founders, emphasize that these capabilities in such a high performance/weight ratio are globally unprecedented. In the world market, there is no solution for a drone night observation capability for long ranges via such light-weight payload.
The new payload will be part of the balloon system or the drone as a multi-purpose payload for long endurance (balloon) or short endurance (drone), offering flexibility according to changing needs in the field. This flexible use of a drone with a balloon enables a rapid targeting via the balloon and direction by the drone.
According to Shoham, the development is designed for military and homeland security applications: border security, installation and infrastructure security, fire identification, natural disaster response, and more. (Source: UAS VISION/iHLS)
18 Jan 19. MINUSMA using RADA radars to protect bases. The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) is using radars made by Israeli company RADA Electronic Industries to provide its bases with early warning of incoming projectiles, according to an industry source. The source told Jane’s that three systems using RADA’s Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR) family were set up at outlying MINUSMA bases in late November and early December 2018. Each system consists of four ieMHR radars mounted on a tripod to provide 360° coverage of the surrounding airspace. The active electronically scanned array (AESA) S-band pulse doppler radars are compact and have no moving parts, making them easy to deploy and “relatively maintenance free”, the source said. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
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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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