Web Page sponsored by Blighter Surveillance Systems
www.blighter.com
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22 Dec 14. L-3 WESCAM’s MX™-15D designating turret was successfully used during a weapons demonstration on the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The demonstration effort is part of the Advanced Technology Tiltrotor (ATTR) program. Through a cooperative agreement between Bell Helicopter and L-3 WESCAM, the first time designating trials were recently conducted over a 14-day period in November at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. “Flight trials were conducted to demonstrate the armed capability of the V-22 with precision and non-precision forward-firing weapons,” said Paul Jennison, vice president of government sales and business development for L-3 WESCAM. “The MX-15D was chosen to support the trials because of its field-proven laser designation performance when flown from SOCOM and AFSOC aircraft, both of which also fire precision laser-guided munitions.” During the trials, the V-22 Osprey successfully launched conventional 70mm (2.75″) rockets,
BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS™) and Raytheon’s Griffin® B lightweight precision-guided missiles. Another key successful trial of L-3 WESCAM’s MX-15D concluded in March 2013 when the system obtained Bell Helicopter’s qualification as an optional advanced targeting system for the company’s 407GT tactical helicopter. L-3’s MX-15D is a multi-sensor, multi-spectral targeting system ideal for military operations, including medium-altitude covert intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; armed L-3’s MX™-15D Aids in Weapons Demonstration on the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey reconnaissance; CSAR; and target designation missions. The MX-15D is the only stabilized turret solution that enables customers to incorporate up to five separate digital imaging and four discrete laser capabilities into their configuration.
19 Dec 14. US Army wants Blackhawk-UAV video link. The US Army is looking to develop technology that will allow Blackhawk helicopters to receive video feed from UAVs. The request for information comes from the Army’s Utility Helicopters Project Office. The Army wants a system that will allow “enhanced situational awareness through the receipt and display of real-time full motion video feeds.” The system will include a front and a rear antenna to receive video feeds. Video transmission by the Blackhawk itself will not be initially required. Components are to include a two antenna configuration with a forward antenna for receiving video feeds in front of the aircraft and an aft mounted antenna for receiving video feeds from sources to the rear of the aircraft. The antenna should work with the latest tactical common data link waveform as well as legacy platforms. Frequencies will include Ku, C, L, and S bands.
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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 pro