Industrial Focus MT 2/2022 · 61 medium-altitude, long-range UAS. The FCT tests will see the aircraft flying during amphibious operations, and the ViDAR system will be used to help build a situational awareness picture. ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging) blends an EO/IR sensor with AI processing to enable the detection and classification of objects which would be either difficult or impossible for a human operator or a conventional radar to spot. This includes small objects – such as something the size of a human head – in the water, or vessels designed to have a low probability of being observed by radar. The AI used in the ViDAR system has demonstrated a probability-of-detection in excess of 96% on first pass for small targets in up to sea state 6. The system is in use with several customers, including the US Coast Guard, and, in 2021, Sikorsky announced it would evaluate the technology as a maritime ISR enhancement for the MH-60 Seahawk, a helicopter in use with the US Navy, among others. Teledyne FLIR Unveils Neutrino SX12 ISR1200 Teledyne FLIR unveiled its Neutrino SX12 ISR1200 on 17 March, a high-definition mid-wavelength IR (MWIR) camera with continuous zoom (CZ) for ground-based ISR applications. The initial model in the new Neutrino Ground ISR series, the system combines an MWIR camera module and 120-1,200mm CZ optics and industry-adopted imaging electronics from InVeo Designs, to provide a best-in-class ISR solution with low-switching-cost for defence and industrial integrators. Based on Teledyne FLIR focal plane array (FPA) technology, near diffraction-limited optics, and a long-life linear Stirling cooler with 25,000h MTTF, the Neutrino SX12 ISR1200 offers 1280×1024 resolution with 12µm pixel size and dual-parallel outputs using a 60Hz Camera Link base with 1080P30 or 720P60 HD-SDI, ideal for tracking, turbulence mitigation, and artificial intelligence. The SX12 ISR1200 is a turnkey system, ideal for integration with ground-based, long-range ISR, perimeter surveillance, border surveillance, and counter-UAS. “The Neutrino Ground ISR series joins the Neutrino IS series of MWIR camera modules with integrated CZ optics, offering defense and industrial integrators shortened time-to-market and reduced project risk, thanks to its familiar imaging components and off-the-shelf design and delivery,” said Dan Walker, VP, Product Management. “All Neutrino series systems are classified under US Department of Commerce jurisdiction as EAR 6A003.b.4.a and are not subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)”. The long focal length CZ lens was developed and is produced by the Teledyne FLIR team, formerly of New England Optical Systems (NEOS), which joined FLIR in 2019. The system provides autofocus, focus, and boresight retention through zoom, and is factory optimised for each integrated system. South Korea Developing Small Thermal Battery for PGMs South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) announced on 8 March it has developed a small, shock-activated, high-output thermal battery to enhance both range and accuracy of artillery precision-guided munitions (PGM). The agency stated that, while conventional thermal batteries normally require an external power source, the recently-developed device is activated by the physical shock generated on firing. Although small, the new battery contains enough energy to power key components for guidance, such as the GPS system and the inertial measurement unit, both of which help the munition hit its intended target accurately. During development, in 2018-2021, the battery was subjected to multiple tests, including firing trials from a gas-propelled gun used to simulate the shock generated by cannon fire. According to the ADD, STM attaches great importance to cost-effectiveness, uninterrupted technical support and knowledge transfer in every project, creating collaboration that will enhance the defence capabilities of other nations. The company began such a project for construction of a corvette for the Ukrainian Navy in 2021; built and delivered the PNS Moawin fleet tanker to Pakistan; acts as main contractor for the modernisation of Pakistan’s Khalid-class (Agosta 90B) submarines; and is involved in the construction of four Ada-class corvettes for the same nation. The Turkish armed forces already make full use of the tactical mini- UAS developed by STM – the fixed-wing Alpagu, rotary-wing Kargu and multi-rotor Togan. Kargu in particular is generating great interest from overseas, having achieved its first export sale last year. Alpagu’s light weight, low radar cross-section, high speed and lethality are also causing significant interest. In cyber security, STM offers integrated services that include cyber threat intelligence, decision support systems, security of applications and determination of security levels. The STM Cyber Fusion Centre (CFC), the first of its kind in Turkey, has been playing a key role since 2016. The company established a Cyber Defence Centre for the Turkish armed forces and is also engaged in an information security project for the Cyber Crimes Department of the Turkish National Police. Safran and HAL Partner on Helicopter Engines France’s Safran Helicopter Engines and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed an MoU to extend their co-operation and explore opportunities for new helicopter engines in both civil and military markets. The MoU, which reflects the companies’ commitments to New Delhi’s goal of making India self-reliant in defence-related technologies and services, was signed during a ground-breaking ceremony for the companies’ new joint venture facility – Helicopter Engines MRO Pvt Ltd (HE-MRO) – at Sattari in Goa. “The 1,000sqm training and office facility, and a 3,800sqm international class shop facility, will provide MRO services for Safran TM333 and HAL Shakti engines installed on HAL-built helicopters to increase the operational readiness of the Indian armed forces,” said HAL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Shri R Madhavan. HE-MRO will be operational by the end of 2023, with a capacity to repair 50 engines per year and a full-capacity goal of 150 engines, noted Safran, adding that the capacity could also be expanded in the future to include other engines. Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Franck Saudo said the facility will play a key role in supporting New Delhi’s vision for aerospace MRO in India. “Thanks to this joint venture, we will support all HAL helicopters legacy programmes, while the MoU opens new perspectives to strengthen further our partnership with HAL directly or through such joint venture on future helicopter engine technologies and platforms.” The Indian military is one of the largest operators of Safran-designed helicopter engines, with over 1,000 in service, including 250 TM333 and more than 500 Shakti engines. The manufacturer has also provided all the engines powering HAL-produced helicopters. Co-developed with HAL, the Shakti engine is the Indian variant of the Safran Ardiden 1H1. The engine is installed on HAL’s Dhruv and Rudra helicopters, and has also been selected to power the HAL-designed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). The Ardiden 1U variant powers India’s new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH): a 3t single-engine aircraft. The engine was certified by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation last July. USMC to Evaluate Sentient’s ViDAR The US Marine Corps has awarded an FCT (Foreign Comparative Technology) test contract to Australian firm Sentient Vision Systems. Sentient will supply an undisclosed number of its ViDAR Maritime systems for integration and evaluation aboard unspecified USMC
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