In the hands of the forward observer of the Italian army, the Elbit PLDRII reconnaissance and targeting device, which is in service with many customers, including the Marine Corps, where it is designated AN / PEQ-17
In search of a goal
In order to work out the coordinates of the target, the data collection system must first of all know its own position. From it, she can determine the range to the target and the angle of the latter relative to the true pole. An observation system (preferably day and night), an accurate positioning system, a laser rangefinder, and a digital magnetic compass are typical components of such a device. It is also a good idea in such a system to have a tracking device capable of identifying a coded laser beam to confirm the target to the pilot, which, as a result, increases safety and reduces communication exchange. Pointers, on the other hand, are not powerful enough to guide weapons, but they allow you to mark the target for ground or aviation (airborne) target designators, which ultimately direct the semi-active laser homing head of the ammunition to the target. Finally, radars for detecting artillery positions allow you to accurately determine the positions of enemy artillery, even if (and this is most often the case) they are not in line of sight. As stated in the introduction, this overview will only cover manual systems.
In order to understand what the military wants to have in their hands, let's look at the requirements published by the American army in 2014 for their laser reconnaissance and targeting device LTLM (Laser Target Location Module) II, which should after some time be replaced by armed with the previous version of the LTLM. The army expects a 1.8 kg device (ultimately 1.6 kg), although the entire system, including the device itself, cables, tripod and lens cleaning kit, can raise the bar to 4.8 kg at best to 3.85 kg. In comparison, the current LTLM has a base weight of 2.5 kg and a total weight of 5.4 kg. The target position error threshold is defined at 45 meters at 5 kilometers (the same as for LTLM), the practical circular probable deviation (CEP) is 10 meters at 10 km. For daytime operations, the LTLM II will have optics with a minimum magnification of x7, a minimum field of view of 6 ° x3.5 °, an eyepiece scale in 10 mil increments, and a daytime color camera. It will provide streaming video and a wide field of view of 6 ° x4.5 °, guaranteeing a 70% recognition probability at 3.1 km and identification at 1.9 km in clear weather. The narrow field of view should be no more than 3 ° x2.25 °, and preferably 2.5 ° x1.87 °, with the corresponding recognition ranges of 4, 2 or 5 km and identification ranges of 2, 6 or 3, 2 km. The thermal imaging channel will have the same target fields of view with a probability of 70% recognition at 0, 9 and 2 km and identification at 0, 45 and 1 km. Target data will be stored in the UTM / UPS coordinate block, and data and images will be transmitted via RS-232 or USB 2.0 connectors. Power will be supplied from L91 AA lithium batteries. The minimum connectivity should be provided by the PLGR (Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver) and the Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR), as well as the GPS systems under development. However, the Army would have preferred a system that could also interact with the Pocket Sized Forward Entry Device, Forward Observer Software / System, Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade-and-Below, and the Network Soldier system. Net Warrior.
BAE Systems offers two reconnaissance and targeting devices. The UTB X-LRF is a development of the UTB X device, to which a Class 1 laser rangefinder with a range of 5.2 km has been added. The device is based on an uncooled thermal imaging matrix with a size of 640x480 pixels with a pitch of 17 microns, it can have optics with a focal length of 40, 75 and 120 mm with a corresponding magnification of x2.1, x3.7 and x6.6, diagonal fields of view of 19 °, 10.5 ° and 6.5 ° and electronic zoom x2. According to BAE Systems, the range of positive (80% probability) detection of a NATO standard target with an area of 0.75 m2 is 1010, 2220 and 2660 meters, respectively. The UTB X-LRF is equipped with a GPS system with an accuracy of 2.5 meters and a digital magnetic compass. It also includes a Class 3B visible and infrared laser pointer. The device can store up to one hundred images in uncompressed BMP format. It is powered by four L91 lithium batteries providing five hours of operation, although the instrument can be connected to an external power source via the USB port. The UTB X-LRF is 206mm long, 140mm wide and 74mm high and weighs 1.38kg without batteries.
In the US Army, BAE Systems' Trigr is known as the Laser Target Locator Module, it includes an uncooled thermal imaging array and weighs less than 2.5 kg.
The UTB X-LRF device is a further development of the UTB X, a laser rangefinder has been added to it, which made it possible to turn the device into a full-fledged reconnaissance, surveillance and target designation system
Another BAE Systems product is the Trigr (Target Reconnaissance Infrared GeoLocating Rangefinder) laser reconnaissance and targeting device, developed in cooperation with Vectronix. BAE Systems provides the instrument with an uncooled thermal imager and a government-standard anti-jamming GPS receiver with selective availability, while Vectronix provides x7 magnification optics, a 5 km fiber laser rangefinder and a digital magnetic compass. According to the company, the Trigr device guarantees a CEP of 45 meters at a distance of 5 km. The recognition range is 4, 2 km during the day or more than 900 meters at night. The device weighs less than 2.5 kg, two sets guarantee round-the-clock operation. The whole system with a tripod, batteries and cables weighs 5.5 kg. In the American army, the device received the designation Laser Target Locator Module; in 2009, a five-year contract was signed with her for an unspecified amount, plus two more in August 2012 and January 2013 worth $ 23, 5 and 7 million, respectively.
The Northrop Grumman Mark VII handheld laser reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting device has been replaced by the improved Mark VIIE device. This model received a thermal imaging channel instead of the image intensification channel of the previous model. The uncooled sensor significantly improves visibility at night and in difficult conditions; it has a field of view of 11.1 ° x8.3 °. The daytime channel is based on forward-looking optics with x8.2 magnification and a 7 ° x5 ° field of view. The digital magnetic compass has an accuracy of ± 8 mils, the electronic clinometer has an accuracy of ± 4 mils, and the location is provided by the built-in anti-jamming module with GPS / SAASM selective availability. Laser rangefinder Nd-Yag (neodymium yttrium-aluminum garnet laser) with optical parametric generation provides a maximum range of 20 km with an accuracy of ± 3 meters. The Mark VIIE weighs 2.5 kg with nine CR123 commercial cells and an RS-232/422 data interface.
The newest product in the Northrop Grumman portfolio is the HHPTD (Hand Held Precision Targeting Device), which weighs less than 2.26 kg. Compared to its predecessors, it has a daytime color channel, as well as a non-magnetic astronavigation module, which significantly increases the accuracy to the level required by modern GPS-guided munitions. The contract for the development of the device, worth $ 9.2 million, was awarded in January 2013, and the work was carried out in collaboration with Flir, General Dynamics and Wilcox. In October 2014, the device was tested at the White Sands Missile Range.
The Hand Held Precision Targeting Device is one of the latest developments from Northrop Grumman; its comprehensive tests were carried out at the end of 2014
For devices of the Flir Recon B2 family, the main channel is a cooled thermal imaging channel. B2-FO device with an additional daytime channel in the hands of an Italian special forces soldier (pictured)
Flir has several handheld targeting devices in its portfolio and has partnered with other companies to provide night vision devices for similar systems. The Recon B2 features a primary thermal imaging channel operating in the mid-infrared range. The device with a cooled 640x480 matrix on indium antimonide provides a wide field of view of 10 ° x8 °, a narrow field of view of 2.5 ° x1.8 ° and a continuous electronic zoom of x4. The thermal imaging channel is equipped with autofocus, automatic brightness gain control and digital data enhancement. The auxiliary channel can be equipped with either a daytime sensor (model B2-FO) or a long-wave infrared channel (model B2-DC). The first is based on a 1/4 color CCD camera with a 794x494 matrix with continuous x4 digital zoom and two same fields of view as the previous model. The auxiliary thermal imaging channel is based on a 640x480 vanadium oxide microbolometer and provides one 18 ° field of view with digital The B2 device has a GPS C / A code (Coarse Acquisition code) (however, a military-grade GPS module can be built in to improve accuracy), a digital magnetic compass and a laser rangefinder with a range of 20 km and a Class 3B 852nm laser pointer The B2 can store up to 1000 jpeg images that can be uploaded via USB or RS-232/422, NTSC / PAL and HDMI for video recording. Instrument weighs less than 4 kg, including six D lithium batteries providing four hours of continuous operation or more than five hours in an energy-saving mode. The Recon B2 can be equipped with a remote control kit that includes a tripod, panning device, power and communication unit and control unit.
Flir offers a lighter version of the Recon V surveillance and targeting device, which includes a thermal sensor, a rangefinder and other typical sensors, packed in a housing weighing 1.8 kg
The lighter Recon B9-FO features an uncooled thermal imaging channel with a 9.3 ° x7 ° field of view and x4 digital zoom. The color camera has x10 continuous zoom and x4 digital zoom, while the characteristics of the GPS receiver, digital compass and laser pointer are the same as the B2 model. The main difference lies in the rangefinder, which has a maximum range of 3 km. The B9-FO is designed for shorter range; it also weighs significantly less than the B2 model, less than 2.5 kg with two D batteries, which provide five hours of continuous operation.
With no day channel, the Recon V weighs even less, at just 1.8 kg with rechargeable batteries that provide six hours of hot-swappable operation. Its cooled 640x480-pixel indium antimonide sensor operates in the mid-wave infrared region of the spectrum, it has optics with a magnification of x10 (wide field of view 20 ° x15 °). The rangefinder of the device is designed for a range of 10 km, while a gyroscope based on microelectromechanical systems provides image stabilization.
The French company Sagem offers three binocular solutions for day / night targeting. All of them have the same color day channel with a field of view of 3 ° x2.25 °, an eye-safe laser rangefinder for 10 km, a digital magnetic compass with an azimuth of 360 ° and elevation angles of ± 40 ° and a GPS C / S module with an accuracy up to three meters (the device can be connected to an external GPS module). The main difference between the devices is in the thermal imaging channel.
First on the list is the Jim UC multifunctional binoculars, which have an uncooled 640x480 sensor with identical night and day fields of view, while the wide field of view is 8.6 ° x6.45 °. Jim UC is equipped with digital zoom, image stabilization, built-in photo and video recording function; optional fusion function between daytime and thermal imaging channels. It also includes an eye-safe 0.8μm laser pointer plus analog and digital ports. Without batteries, the binoculars weigh 2, 3 kg. The rechargeable battery provides over five hours of continuous use.
Multifunctional binoculars Jim Long Range of the French company Sagem were supplied to the French infantry as part of the Felin combat equipment; in the photo the binoculars are mounted on the Sterna targeting device from Vectronix
Next comes the more advanced Jim LR multifunctional binoculars, from which, by the way, the UC device "spun off". It is in service with the French army, being part of the combat equipment of the French soldier Felin. Jim LR features a thermal imaging channel with a 320x240 pixel sensor operating in the range of 3-5 microns; the narrow field of view is the same as the UC model, and the wide field of view is 9 ° x6.75 °. A more powerful laser pointer extending the range from 300 to 2500 meters is available as an option. The cooling system naturally increases the weight of Jim LR devices to 2.8 kg without batteries. However, the cooled thermal imaging module significantly increases the performance, the detection, recognition and identification ranges of a person are respectively 3/1/0.5 km for the UC model and 7/2, 5/1, 2 km for the LR model.
The Jim HR multifunctional binoculars round off the lineup with even higher performance provided by the high-resolution 640x480 VGA matrix.
Sagem's Vectronix offers two surveillance platforms that, when connected to systems from Vectronix and / or Sagem, form extremely accurate modular targeting instruments.
The digital magnetic compass included in the GonioLight digital observation station provides an accuracy of 5 mils (0.28 °). By connecting the gyroscope with orientation to the true (geographic) pole, the accuracy is increased to 1 mil (0.06 °). A gyroscope weighing 4, 4 kg is installed between the station itself and the tripod, as a result, the total weight of the GonioLight, gyroscope and tripod tends to 7 kg. Without a gyroscope, this accuracy can be achieved through the use of built-in topographic referencing procedures for known landmarks or celestial bodies. The system has a built-in GPS module and an access channel to an external GPS module. The GonioLight station is equipped with an illuminated screen and has interfaces for computers, communications and other external devices. In the event of a malfunction, the system has auxiliary scales to indicate direction and vertical angle. The system accepts a variety of day or night observation devices and rangefinders, such as the Vector family of rangefinders or the Sagem Jim binoculars described above. Special mounts at the top of the GonioLight station also allow the installation of two optoelectronic subsystems. The total weight ranges from 9.8 kg in the GLV configuration, which includes GonioLight plus Vector rangefinder, to 18.1 kg in the GL G-TI configuration, which includes GonioLight, Vector, Jim-LR and a gyroscope. The GonioLight observation station was developed in the early 2000s and since then more than 2000 of these systems have been delivered to many countries. This station was also used in hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Vectronix's experience helped it develop the Sterna ultra-light non-magnetic targeting system. If GonioLite is designed for ranges over 10 km, then Sterna is for ranges of 4-6 km. With a tripod, the system weighs about 2.5 kg and is less than 1 mile (0.06 °) accurate at any latitude using known landmarks. This allows you to get a target location error of less than four meters at a distance of 1.5 km. In case of unavailability of landmarks, the Sterna system is equipped with a hemispherical resonant gyroscope jointly developed by Sagem and Vectronix, which provides an accuracy of 2 mils (0, 11 °) in determining true north up to latitude 60 °. The setup and orientation time is less than 150 seconds, and a rough alignment of ± 5 ° is required. The Sterna is powered by four CR123A cells providing 50 orientation operations and 500 measurements. Like the GonlioLight, the Sterna system can accommodate various types of optoelectronic systems. For example, the Vectronix portfolio includes the lightest instrument weighing less than 3 kg, the PLRF25C, and the slightly heavier (less than 4 kg) Moskito. For more complex tasks, Vector or Jim devices can be added, but this increases the mass to 6 kg. The Sterna system has a special attachment point for mounting on the vehicle trunnion, from which it can be quickly removed for dismounted operations. For evaluation, these systems were supplied in large numbers to the troops. The US Army ordered Vectronix handheld systems and Sterna systems as part of the July 2012 Requirement for Handheld Precision Targeting Devices. Vectronix is confident about the continued growth in sales of the Sterna system in 2015.
In June 2014, Vectronix showed the Moskito TI surveillance and targeting device with three channels: daytime optical with x6 magnification, optical (CMOS technology) with brightness enhancement (both with a 6.25 ° field of view) and uncooled thermal imaging with a 12 ° field of view. The device also includes a 10 km rangefinder with an accuracy of ± 2 meters and a digital compass with an accuracy of ± 10 mils (± 0.6 °) in azimuth and ± 3 mils (± 0.2 °) in elevation. The GPS module is optional, although there is a connector for external civilian and military GPS receivers, as well as Galileo or GLONASS modules. It is possible to connect a laser pointer. The Moskito TI device has RS-232, USB 2.0 and Ethernet interfaces, Bluetooth wireless communication is optional. It is powered by three batteries or CR123A rechargeable batteries, providing over six hours of continuous operation. And finally, all of the above systems are packaged in a 130x170x80 mm device weighing less than 1.3 kg. This new product is a further development of the Moskito model, which with a mass of 1.2 kg has a day channel and a channel with increased brightness, a laser rangefinder with a range of 10 km, a digital compass; Civil standard GPS integration or connection to an external GPS receiver is optionally possible.
Thales offers a full range of reconnaissance, surveillance and target designation systems. The Sophie UF system weighing 3.4 kg has an optical daytime channel with x6 magnification and a 7 ° field of view. The range of the laser rangefinder reaches 20 km, the Sophie UF can be equipped with a GPS P (Y) code (coded code for the exact location of an object) or C / A code (coarse location code) receiver, which can be connected to an external DAGR / PLGR receiver. A magnetoresistive digital compass with an accuracy of 0.5 ° in azimuth and an inclinometer with a gravity sensor with an accuracy of 0.1 ° round out the sensor package. The device is powered by AA cells providing 8 hours of operation. The system can operate in the modes of correcting the fall of projectiles and reporting target data; it is equipped with RS232 / 422 connectors for exporting data and images. The Sophie UF system is also in service with the British army under the designation SSARF (Surveillance System and Range Finder).
Moving from simple to complex, let's focus on the Sophie MF device. It includes a cooled 8-12 micron thermal imager with 8 ° x6 ° wide and 3.2 ° x2.4 ° narrow fields of view and x2 digital zoom. An optional color daylight channel with a field of view of 3.7 ° x2.8 ° is available along with a laser pointer with a wavelength of 839 nm. The Sophie MF system also includes a 10 km laser rangefinder, a built-in GPS receiver, a connector for connecting to an external GPS receiver and a magnetic compass with an accuracy of 0.5 ° azimuth and 0.2 ° elevation. The Sophie MF weighs 3.5 kg and runs on a battery pack for over four hours.
The Sophie XF is almost identical to the MF model, the main difference is the thermal imaging sensor, which operates in the mid-wave (3-5 μm) infrared region of the spectrum and has a wide 15 ° x11.2 ° and narrow 2.5 ° x1.9 ° field of view, optical x6 magnification and x2 electronic magnification. Analog and HDMI outputs are available for video output, because Sophie XF is capable of storing up to 1000 photos or up to 2 GB of video. There are also RS 422 and USB ports. The XF model is the same size and weight as the MF model, although battery life is just over six or seven hours.
British company Instro Precision, specializing in goniometers and panoramic heads, has developed a modular reconnaissance and targeting system MG-TAS (Modular Gyro Target Acquisition System), based on a gyroscope, which allows highly accurate determination of the true pole. The accuracy is less than 1 mil (unaffected by magnetic interference) and the digital goniometer offers an accuracy of 9 mil depending on the magnetic field. The system also includes a lightweight tripod and rugged pocket computer with a full complement of targeting tools for calculating target data. The interface allows you to install one or two target designation sensors.
Vectronix has developed a lightweight non-magnetic reconnaissance and targeting system Sterna, with a range of 4 to 6 kilometers (pictured installed on Sagem Jim-LR)
The latest addition to the targeting family is the Vectronix Moskito 77, which has two daytime and one thermal imaging channels.
Thales Sophie XF provides target positioning and mid-infrared sensor for night vision
The Airbus DS Nestor system with a cooled thermal imaging array and a mass of 4.5 kg was developed for the German mountain rifle troops. She is in service with several armies
Airbus DS Optronics offers two Nestor and TLS-40 reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting devices, both manufactured in South Africa. The Nestor device, which began production in 2004-2005, was originally developed for the German mountain rifle divisions. The biocular system weighing 4.5 kg includes a day channel with x7 magnification and a 6.5 ° field of view with an increment of 5 mil lines, as well as a thermal imaging channel based on a cooled 640x512 pixel matrix with two fields of view, narrow 2.8 ° x2.3 ° and wide (11.4 ° x9.1 °). The distance to the target is measured by a Class 1M laser rangefinder with a range of 20 km and an accuracy of ± 5 meters and adjustable strobing (pulse repetition rate) for range. The direction and elevation of the target is provided by a digital magnetic compass with an azimuth accuracy of ± 1 ° and an elevation angle of ± 0.5 °, while the measurable elevation angle is + 45 °. The Nestor has a built-in 12-channel GPS L1 C / A (coarse detection) receiver, and external GPS modules can also be connected. There is a CCIR-PAL video output. The device is powered by lithium-ion batteries, but it is possible to connect to an external DC power source of 10-32 Volts. A cooled thermal imager increases the weight of the system, but it also increases night vision capabilities. The system is in service with several European armies, including the Bundeswehr, several European border forces and unnamed buyers from the Middle and Far East. The company expects several large contracts for hundreds of systems in 2015, but does not name new customers.
Building on the experience gained with the Nestor system, Airbus DS Optronics has developed the lighter Opus-H system with an uncooled thermal imaging channel. Its deliveries began in 2007. It has the same daylight channel, while the 640x480 microbolmetric array provides an 8.1 ° x6.1 ° field of view and the ability to save images in-j.webp
Airbus DS Optronics Opus-H
In response to the growing demand for lightweight and low-cost targeting systems, Airbus DS Optronics (Pty) has developed the TLS 40 series of instruments that weigh less than 2 kg with batteries. Three models are available: TLS 40 with day channel only, TLS 40i with image intensification and TLS 40IR with uncooled thermal imaging sensor. Their laser rangefinder and GPS are the same as those of the Nestor. The digital magnetic compass has a range of ± 45 ° vertical, ± 30 ° pitch, and ± 10 mils in azimuth and ± 4 mils in elevation. Common with the previous two models, the biocular daytime optical channel with the same reticle as in the Nestor device has a magnification of x7 and a field of view of 7 °. The TLS 40i version with increased image brightness has a monocular channel based on a Photonis XR5 tube with x7 magnification and a 6 ° field of view. The TLS 40 and TLS 40i models have the same physical characteristics, their dimensions are 187x173x91 mm. With the same mass as the other two models, the TLS 40IR device is larger in size, 215x173x91 mm. It has a monocular daytime channel with the same magnification and a slightly narrower field of view of 6 °. The 640x312 microbolometer array provides a 10.4 ° x8.3 ° field of view with x2 digital zoom. The image is displayed on a black and white OLED display. All TLS 40 models can be optionally equipped with a daytime camera with a 0.89 ° x0.75 ° field of view for capturing images in-j.webp
The Nyxus Bird Gyro differs from the previous model Nyxus Bird in the gyroscope for orientation to the true pole, which significantly increases the accuracy of determining the coordinates of the target at long distances
The German company Jenoptik has developed a day-night reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system Nyxus Bird, which is available in medium and long-range versions. The difference lies in the thermal imaging channel, which in the medium range version is equipped with a lens with an 11 ° x8 ° field of view. The detection, recognition and identification ranges of a standard NATO target are 5, 2 and 1 km, respectively. The long-range version with optics with a field of view of 7 ° x5 ° provides long ranges, respectively 7, 2, 8 and 1, 4 km. The matrix size for both variants is 640x480 pixels. The day channel in two variants has a field of view of 6.75 ° and an x7 magnification. The Class 1 laser rangefinder has a typical range of 3.5 km, the digital magnetic compass provides an accuracy of 0.5 ° azimuth in the 360 ° sector and 0.2 ° elevation accuracy in the 65 ° sector. The Nyxus Bird features multiple measurement modes and can store up to 2000 infrared images. Having a built-in GPS module, however, it can be connected to the PLGR / DAGR system to further improve accuracy. For transferring photos and videos, there is a USB 2.0 connector, wireless Bluetooth is optional. With a 3 Volt lithium battery, the device weighs 1.6 kg, without an eyecup, the length is 180 mm, the width is 150 mm and the height is 70 mm. Nyxus Bird is part of the German Army's IdZ-ES modernization program. The addition of a tactical computer Micro Pointer with an integrated geographic information system significantly increases the ability to localize targets. Micro Pointer operates on both internal and external power supplies, has RS232, RS422, RS485 and USB connectors and an optional Ethernet connector. This small computer (191x85x81mm) weighs only 0.8kg. Another optional system is the non-magnetic true pole gyroscope, which provides very precise targeting and precise coordinates at all ultra-long ranges. A gyro head with the same connectors as the Micro Pointer can be connected to an external GPS PLGR / DAGR system. Four CR123A elements provide 50 orientation operations and 500 measurements. The head weighs 2.9 kg, and the whole system with a tripod is 4.5 kg.
The Finnish company Millog has developed a hand-held target designation system Lisa, which includes an uncooled thermal imager and an optical channel with vehicle detection, recognition and identification ranges of 4, 8 km, 1, 35 km and 1 km, respectively. The system weighs 2.4 kg with batteries that provide a runtime of 10 hours. After receiving the contract in May 2014, the system began to enter service with the Finnish army.
Developed a few years ago for the Selex-ES retrofit program for the Soldato Futuro Italian Army soldier, the Linx multifunctional day / night reconnaissance and targeting device has been improved and now has an uncooled 640x480 matrix. The thermal imaging channel has a field of view of 10 ° x7.5 ° with optical magnification x2.8 and electronic magnification x2 and x4. The daytime channel is a color TV camera with two magnifications (x3.65 and x11.75 with corresponding fields of view of 8.6 ° x6.5 ° and 2.7 ° x2.2 °). The VGA color display has an integrated programmable electronic crosshair. Range measurement is possible up to 3 km, the location is determined using the built-in GPS receiver, while the digital magnetic compass provides azimuth information. The images are exported via the USB connector. Further development of the Linx is expected during 2015, when miniature cooled sensors and new features are built into it.
In Israel, the military is seeking to improve its fire engagement capabilities. To this end, each battalion will be assigned an air strike coordination and ground fire support group. One artillery liaison officer is currently assigned to the battalion. National industry is already working to provide the tools to meet this challenge.
The Lisa device of the Finnish company Millog is equipped with uncooled thermal imaging and daytime channels; with a mass of only 2.4 kg, it has a detection range of slightly less than 5 km
The Coral-CR device with a cooled thermal imaging channel is included in the line of targeting systems of the Israeli company Elbit
Elbit Systems is very active in both Israel and the United States. Her Coral-CR surveillance and reconnaissance device has a cooled 640x512 Indium Antimonide Medium Wave Detector with optical fields of view from 2.5 ° x2.0 ° to 12.5 ° x10 ° and a digital zoom of x4. A black and white CCD camera with fields of view from 2.5 ° x1.9 ° to 10 ° x7.5 ° works in the visible and near infrared regions of the spectrum. Images are displayed on a high-resolution color OLED display through customizable binocular optics. An eye-safe Class 1 laser rangefinder, built-in GPS and a digital magnetic compass with 0.7 ° azimuth and elevation complete the sensor package. Target coordinates are calculated in real time and can be transmitted to external devices, the device can save up to 40 images. CCIR or RS170 video outputs are available. The Coral-CR is 281 mm long, 248 mm wide, 95 mm high and weighs 3.4 kg, including the ELI-2800E rechargeable battery. The device is in service with many NATO countries (in America under the designation Emerald-Nav).
The uncooled Mars thermal imager is lighter and cheaper, based on a 384x288 vanadium oxide detector. In addition to the thermal imaging channel with two fields of view 6 ° x4.5 ° and 18 ° x13.5 °, it has a built-in color day camera with fields of view of 3 ° x2.5 ° and 12 ° x10 °, a laser rangefinder, a GPS receiver and a magnetic compass. The Mars is 200 mm long, 180 mm wide and 90 mm high and weighs only 2 kg with the battery.
