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18 Feb 19. HENSOLDT establishes Joint Venture with Atlas Group at IDEX. HENSOLDT’s Optronics business line and Atlas One-to-One Services LLC have agreed at IDEX International Defence Exhibition and Conference to set up a Joint Venture. As a further step, they will establish an Optronics Center of Excellence with a maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) capability.
By doing so, HENSOLDT, the German Sensor House, will fulfil its offset obligations set by United Arab Emirates Offset Authority Tawazun Economic Council (TEC), connected to the sale of NightOwl cameras, spotting scopes and night sight equipment to the United Arab Emirates.
The Optronics Center of Excellence, based in Abu Dhabi, will offer current and future customers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and in the region unique service capabilities for HENSOLDT products at service level 3 with spare parts and special tool and test equipment (STTE). HENSOLDT will provide the necessary equipment, including a Golden Unit of the Night Owl M camera system, as well as in depth training of personnel of the JV partner. In the future, the Optronics Center of Excellence will also provide service for third party products as well as a system integration capability and the sale of HENSOLDT’s electro-optical and other surveillance sensors for wide area surveillance in the region. These include thermal cameras, visual cameras, as well as laser, passive and active sensors.
”HENSOLDT and Atlas Group have a long-lasting relationship and together provide customer-oriented solutions to the General Headquarters (GHQ). The creation of the JV, of which 51 per cent will be held by Atlas Services and 49 per cent by HENSOLDT, will further develop and deepen the existing economic ties between both parties,” explains Andreas Hülle, Managing Director of HENSOLDT Optronics. ”This collaboration will allow the UAE to benefit from technology and local R&D, which was not available before. Our Joint Venture will support UAE’s economic development through the development and transfer of know-how, creating local job opportunities and enhancing HENSOLDT’s market access for security and safety applications in the region. Our joint venture will benefit from being able to provide local services to the end-user in the region.” The contract was signed by HENSOLDT and Atlas One-to-One Services LLC and will come into immediate effect.
15 Feb 19. Sudan displays mobile ground surveillance system on display at IDEX 2019. Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation (MIC) unveiled its Al-Kinaniya land surveillance system during the IDEX show held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 17–21 February. The system consists of a mast-mounted X-band ground surveillance radar with a planar array antenna and an electro-optical system with day and infrared cameras that are fitted to a China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) VN4 4×4 light armoured vehicle.
“We designed this vehicle according to the needs of the Sudanese military. They have tested and accepted it,” MIC spokesman Moatasim Mohammed Daowd Ali told Jane’ s.
He said the radar and electro-optical system are Chinese products, but his company integrated them so the latter can automatically slew to a target identified by the radar to enable closer inspection. The system does not have to be continuously manned because it can be programmed so that an alarm sounds when the radar detects a target in a pre-set area.
The Al-Kinaniya is also fitted with a communications system that allows it to share real-time camera feed with an operations centre.
The power for the radar is generated by the vehicle’s standard power system using an electric inverter. The sensors cannot be operated when the vehicle is moving. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
18 Feb 19. Aquila Aerospace LLC (“Aquila”) announced the signing of its first contract with the United Arab Emirates Air Force (“UAEAF”) for the supply of one next-generation Challenger 650 aircraft in multi-mission configuration (“Aircraft”) to update and expand the Emirates’ maritime and airborne surveillance and search and rescue capabilities. Additionally, Aquila has an option to supply a second Aircraft to the UAEAF.
The Aircraft, a special mission variant of the Challenger business jet platform, is to be equipped with proven systems, providing outstanding capabilities in maritime surveillance, search and rescue, medical evacuation and command transportation.
Aquila, with the support of Bombardier’s Specialized Aircraft division, will conduct the modification, integration, testing and certification of this latest variant at its modification centre at Al Bateen Airport in
Abu Dhabi (“Modification Centre”). Aircraft modifications will meet the UAEAF requirements, including the installation of various sensors, mission operator stations, observation windows, and air operable doors. The Aircraft is expected to be delivered to the Modification Centre in 2019.
Homaid Al Shimmari the chairman of Aquila said that Aquila is the first and only modification centre in the Gulf region specifically focused on specialized derivatives of business aircraft. Aquila’s strength lies in offering a world-class service, indigenous capability complemented by the highest-calibre aviation professionals, partners and manufacturers.
This and future programs will create a new approach to the dynamic international marketplace, whereby all parties mutually contribute and create solutions for a wide range of missions.
“Aquila aims to develop future C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) solutions based on well-established, cost-effective, long range and high-endurance business aircraft platforms. “H.E. Homaid Al Shimmari, Chairman
18 Feb 19. GlobalEye on course. Speaking to the IDEX Show Daily just prior to IDEX, Saab said the GlobalEye multi-sensor airborne early warning/multirole surveillance programme is “on schedule” in the build-up to its entry into service with the UAE Air Force and Air Defence. The UAE became the launch customer for the GlobalEye just over three years ago, announcing an initial deal for two of the aircraft at the Dubai air show in November 2015. A third was subsequently added during IDEX in February 2017.
Also known as the SRSS (Swing- Role Surveillance System), the GlobalEye is an adaptation of the Bombardier Global 6000 longrange business jet to the multi-surveillance role. The chief sensor is a Saab Erieye ER airborne early warning (AEW) radar mounted in a ‘ski-box’ fairing above the aircraft’s spine. Additional sensors reportedly include a FLIR Systems Star Safire 380HD electro-optic turret beneath the forward fuselage, and a Leonardo Seaspray 7500E AESA radar in a large belly radome.
Having been rolled out in February 2018, the first aircraft performed its maiden postmodification flight on 14 March at Saab’s Linköping plant, where the three airframes have been converted from ‘green’ Global 6000 airframes. The extensive nature of the modifications – encompassing structural and significant aerodynamic changes, as well as an expanded and re-routed cabling network – has dictated a major flight test campaign to clear the GlobalEye for service.
Soon after its initial flights from Linköping, which had proved basic aircraft system functions and aerodynamics, the no. 1 GlobalEye – operating under the Swedish civil registration SE-RMY – was deployed to Granada in Andalucia for an exhaustive flight test campaign. The move to southern Spain was driven by the region’s excellent weather and the need to fly regularly to meet the contracted schedule.
SE-RMY has subsequently been put through rigorous system and aerodynamic testing, flying numerous test points with varying speeds, altitudes and loads. The primary aim of the trials is to validate predicted calculations made using computers and wind tunnel trials. The GlobalEye is fitted with its own instrumentation and recording equipment so that no specific ground infrastructure is required to record gathered data.
This ‘orange box’ equipment will be removed prior to customer delivery.
While the aircraft remained in Spain throughout the late summer and autumn, test teams of between six and 10 personnel, including two pilots, have rotated to Granada every four to six weeks.
In December, the no. 1 GlobalEye returned briefly to Sweden, but has returned to Granada to complete its trials. It is scheduled to stay there until the late spring.
In the meantime, Saab achieved a major milestone on 3 January this year with the first flight of the second aircraft, SE-RMZ. The aircraft is intended primarily as the mission systems test aircraft, and is to remain in Sweden for trials. Much of the system test work has been accomplished in a ground rig. The third aircraft has completed the major part of the structural modification work, and the one-tonne ‘ski-box’ fairing has been mounted. The aircraft is undergoing the fitment of systems in preparation for its first flight.
No delivery schedule has been announced publicly for the GlobalEyes, and in the meantime the UAE AFAD continues to operate a pair of ex-Swedish air force Saab 340 aircraft carrying the legacy Erieye system. When the new SRSS platforms enter service they will bring a dramatic increase in capability. The Erieye ER S-band radar alone, with its gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology, promises a 70 per cent increase in detection range against traditional aerial targets, as well as offering much improved performance against small, low-flying vehicles, as well as those with low-observable ‘stealthy’ characteristics. The Erieye ER also has a maritime surface detection capability.
On top of that, the Seaspray radar and electro-optic turret provide the GlobalEye with a powerful maritime and overland surveillance capability, including synthetic aperture radar imaging and ground moving target indication. With its array of sensors and communications links all being controlled by an advanced integrated mission system with five operator consoles, the GlobalEye offers a complete multi-intelligence package that can ‘swing’ between roles seamlessly.
Basing the system on the Global 6000 also provides long endurance with a high dash speed capability should the aircraft be required rapidly in a certain mission area.
The platform’s business jet roots also make it a comfortable working environment for the crew, and it has size, weight and power growth potential to add further systems and personnel.
Since the type’s official marketing ‘launch’ in 2016, Saab has reported significant interest in the GlobalEye from both countries with existing AEW assets and those that seek the capability. The ‘system of systems’ can be scaled and tailored to meet individual requirements, and Saab can localise the system through the integration of existing national command and control datalinks and networks. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
15 Feb 19. Advanced uncooled thermal – bridging the gap. Silent Sentinel launched their brand new range of advanced uncooled thermal cameras at IDEX this year – the LR range. The LR range bridges the gap between cooled and uncooled thermal cameras and is designed with the Middle Eastern market in mind in contrast neutral environments. Features of the cameras allow customers to benefit from enhanced performance with overall lower lifetime costs normally associated with cooled thermal imaging.
Key differentiators of the LR range include:
– 12μm pixel pitch for improved detection capabilities
– Industry leading <30mK thermal sensitivity
– Auto focus and auto tracking included as standard
– Advanced image contrast enhancements
Paul Elsey, Managing Director, says “we are delighted to announce the launch of the LR
range at IDEX 2019. The show is the perfect platform for us to introduce this product to the
market since it aligns so well with the regions requirements.”
The LR range is available within the Oculus, Osiris and Jaegar housings and has the
following zoom lens options:
– 15 to 75mm
– 25 to 150mm
– 25 to 225mm
– 40 to 300mm
Hasan Chehime, Technical Sales Manager for the MENA region at Silent Sentinel states how “there is a choice of powerful zoom lens’s up to 300mm – this is outstanding for an uncooled thermal camera range – and gives flexibility to customers. It’s our first year exhibiting at IDEX, and we can’t wait to showcase the brand new product – it’s definitely worth seeing if you’re visiting the show”.
Silent Sentinel design, manufacture, and supply advanced market-leading surveillance and security systems worldwide. Based in the UK, all cameras are built onsite by engineers within their 18,000 sq/ft manufacturing plant, which also features their in-house R&D and technical teams.
If you’d like to see the LR, or other Silent Sentinel products, visit the stand at IDEX (05-C04) within the UK pavilion where the team will be happy to show you the products. Or if you’d
like to arrange a meeting at IDEX, contact James Longcroft: info@silentsentinel.com
Silent Sentinel is a UK based manufacturer who design, manufacture, and supply advanced market-leading surveillance and security systems. They manufacture a range of cooled and uncooled thermal cameras, Counter UAV systems, and offer an array of the latest technologies to create bespoke products for their customers.
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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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