Page 16 - SOFEX 2022 - Day 3

HIGH-TECH SENSOR MANUFACTURERS

EYE MIDDLE EAST OPPORTUNITY

As militaries in the Middle East seek ways surveillance through darkness and dis- into the goggle and shoot around corners,
to stay a step ahead of terrorist groups in tance. This multi-sensor system integrates reducing risk of exposure. There are two
the region that have of late become more long-range, mid-wave thermal imaging with versions of the goggle, one used by the U.S.
dangerous through the use of sophisticated a variety of powerful daylight sensors, and Army and the other for export.
equipment such as surveillance drones optionally a laser range finder, GPS, digital
and night vision technology, high-tech magnetic compass, and automatic video Another L3Harris product that has evoked
sensor manufacturers sense a big market tracker. The system has integrated fog plenty of interest is the Small Precision
opportunity. and heat turbulence filters that eliminates Enhanced Aiming Rangefinder (SPEAR),
image distortion caused by atmospheric for snipers. SPEAR, which delivers
Many customers in the region are planning conditions. In addition to improving the extended-range performance, features
to upgrade old systems, which served them effectiveness of missions, the Ranger an integrated ballistic calculator for
well until not so long ago, and want the HDC also cuts response times of forces improved first-round hit probability. Built
latest surveillance technology that will help and reduce cyber risks. on the L3Harris STORM 2 system cur-
protect borders better in the changed situa- rently deployed with the U.S. Army, SPEAR
tion. Among the companies that has seen Another company confident of making fur- employs emerging Short-Wave Infrared
surging interest for next generation sensors ther inroads into the Middle Eastern market (SWIR) technologies, giving operators
is Teledyne FLIR, which believes that its is L3Harris, which has a range of capabili- options for use as a marker or illuminator
Ranger HDC 1200 MultiSensor system is ties to suit virtually every surveillance need. for covert cueing. The laser rangefinder,
an ideal fit for the region. Previous versions According to company officials, the use of which has a High-performance Erbium
of the surveillance camera have proved fused technology gives amplified situation glass laser resonator as one of its key fea-
popular among militaries in the region and awareness, this giving the company’s sen- tures, maintains the familiar capabilities
beyond. sors an edge over the competition. The of L3Harris-fielded military rangefinders
company’s Binocular Night Vision Devise- in a smaller, lighter package that includes
According to the company, the Ranger Fused (BNVD), which is equipped with Near Infrared (NIR) and visible aim lasers,
HDC assesses threats, and is capable of third generation image intensifying tubes, an NIR illumination laser, a high-accuracy
distinguishing between nuisance alarms provides advanced situational aware- digital magnetic compass and external GPS
and those requiring interdiction for border, ness 24/7. Touted as the most advanced interface.
coastal surveillance, and force protection Situational Awareness goggle in the market,
surveillance. An improvement over previous the BNVD uses the benefits of fused white According to defense analysts, the need
versions, it uses its forward-looking infra- phosphor and thermal technologies to give for next-generation surveillance technol-
red sensor to detect a heavy vehicle as far warfighters the ability to quickly target, ogy is likely to grow in the region as border
out as 25 to 50 kilometers, light vehicles engage and neutralize threats. The dual- protection becomes progressively more
from 18 to 20 kilometers and human tar- wave, helmet-mounted solution features challenging. The technology gap between
gets 12 to 13 kilometers. a large Field-Of-View and thermal range, a state agencies and rogue actors, which was
The surveillance camera increases mis- major improvement over its predecessors. substantial until recently, has narrowed
sion effectiveness, crucially extending Operators can bring weapon sight images over time, they add.
16 | NOVEMBER-03-2022 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS