Military Technology 05/2021

82 · MT 5/2021 Homeland Security Forum The two companies have signed an MoU to develop Airborne Technologies’ SCAR-Pod family for day and night operations, to be fitted to Leonardo AW-139 and AW-189 helicopters and Viking’s GUARDIAN 400. These are among the most capable and widely-used maritime sur- veillance and search and rescue (SAR) platforms in the world. “Sentient and Airborne Technologies have had a long productive relati- onship providing airborne surveillance solutions,” explains Sentient Vision Systems’ Managing Director, Dr Paul Boxer. “This collaboration will provi- de a fully-certified, integrated optical radar capability for maritime search and surveillance operations throughout the world.” Wolfgang Grumeth, CEO of Airborne Technologies, adds “A fixed ins- tallation of the ViDAR system is already flying on the Viking TWIN OTTER ISR demonstrator. This technology is a ‘must-have’ for state-of-the-art SAR operations. Therefore, we are keen to offer the ViDAR system also as a flexible solution as part of our SCAR-Pod family, providing additional surveillance capabilities for existing rotary- and fixed-wing fleets without extensive modification effort.” The companies are offering this new day/night search and surveil­ lance solution to both existing and new government and non-government customers, with pods available from later this year. Demand for airborne ISR capabilities could potentially reach $12.8 billion ( € 10.8 billion) per annum by 2026, according to research published by MarketsandMarkets. The pods will carry the full ViDAR suite of ultra-high resolution EO/IR cameras, as well as image processing hardware, providing a fully integ- rated system. The ViDAR SCAR-Pod is easily installed to the airframe, providing a highly efficient autonomous search capability that is able to detect targets that radars cannot find. Primary Arms Optics Releases New ACSS VULCAN Reticle Primary Arms Optics has released a new version of the HS507C-X2 ACSS – co-branded with Holosun Optics – now featuring a green-illuminated ACSS VULCAN reticle, the company announced on 26 August. Released earlier this year, the HS507C-X2 ACSS made waves in the miniature reflex market, by introducing a revolu- tionary new reticle design that makes it easier to get on target. While most reticles are limited to a simple aiming dot, the ACSS VULCAN changes the game, by combining an infinitely precise centre chevron with a large outer circle. When aimed correctly, this circle falls outside the optic window, leaving only the cen- tre chevron for fine precision. If the user’s aim is off target, the edge of the circle comes into view, guiding them back to centre – this is a novel approach to sight acquisition, eliminating many of the challenges associ- ated with mini reflex optics. Since its release, fans of the optic have been asking for a green-illumi- nated variant. Now, Primary Arms Optics can announce that initial units are available. “The response to the original Primary Arms ACSS VULCAN reticle in red illumination, has been nothing short of phenomenal,” ex- plains Terry Mears, Director of Product Marketing. “Those who prefer a green reticle, especially anyone with colour-recognition issues toward the red end of the colour spectrum, will appreciate this option. The law en- forcement community which we continuously interact with, specifically asked for this reticle option and we delivered.” users use their mobile phones in the same way as physical ID cards. As a SaaS [software as a service] solution, implementation is instant, offe- ring ease of use, automatic upgrades, support and maintenance, and full scalability. LOOP can be custom-developed for systems integrators and large, multi-site, multi-tenant companies. Digital credentials use mobile-enabled digital keys, certified identity validation and biometric security (facial or fingerprint) for secure authen- tication. They can incorporate LEGIC, Mifare and DESFire technologies, and can be paired with physical cards for hybrid, ‘phygital’ identification. “The potential and sheer convenience of cloud-based identification will drive adoption of mobile credentials, or ‘virtual wallets’. We see this as complementing physical ID cards, which offer visible security, particularly in non-cloud environments, like prisons or hospitals,” explained Databac CEO, Charles Balcomb. “Databac CONNECT forms the basis of our digital strategy, on which we will build our growing range of cloud solutions, as we support our clients on their own digital transformation journey.” Databac offers a full complement of hardware, software, consumables and services to enable hybrid or digital credentials for identification, visitor management, access control and vending. Its range of connected solutions also includes Unif.id movement intelligence (smart buildings), FORGE visitor management, the CardExchange Cloud Suite and the latest cloud-enabled printers and readers from Matica, Entrust Datacard and Third Millennium, as well as Databac’s own, entry-level DC1 Bluetooth reader, which makes cloud-based access control accessible to all. Sentient Vision Systems and Airborne Technologies to Produce ViDAR SCAR-Pods Australia’s Sentient Vision Systems and Austrian company Airborne Technologies GmbH are designing and building new search and surveillance pods to carry Sentient’s ViDAR optical radar. A green reticle is now available for the VULCAN. (Photo: Primary Arms Optics) The Databac CONNECT app at work. (Photo: Databac) The fully integrated optical radar capability will find a ready market among emergency and rescue agencies. (Photo via Sentient Vision Systems)