Sidewinder Compact III

Archive for the ‘Sensors’ Category

SHOT Show – T10 Thermal Imager from Torrey Pines Logic

Monday, January 26th, 2015

Year after year, Torrey Pines Logic is tucked into a back corner of SHOT Show’s main tactical hall. I’ve known them since my active duty days and they are well known in the SOF S&T community for providing innovative technologies. At this year’s SHOT Show, TPL exhibited their T10 series of Thermal Imagers. I took a picture of it on top of a bill in order to show you its size. It’s actually that small, in the class of an MRDS.

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They are marketing it as a thermal micro dot. Based on capability, it’s really more of a micro thermal sensor than a typical micro dot. But, the T10 does offer a low-cost, weapon mounted thermal sensor option.

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Available in three models, the T10-S (50° FOV, 9Hz video) and T10-N (25° FOV, 9Hz video) are great for hog hunting and the T10-M (50° FOV, 30Hz video) is intended for LE use although none of the three are restricted sale. The screen offered several modes: white hot / color / black hot / NV green. The Picatinny compatible T10 comes with a wrist strap as well a handle.

Now, get this. The T10 is not ITAR controlled and can be exported under commerce rules. What’s more, all three models are very affordable.

tplogic.com/thermal-solutions/t10

SHOT Show – BAE Systems

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

We recently told you that BAE Systems had developed the first mil certified 12 micron thermal sight. I wanted to show what that difference actually means.

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To the left is the original 17 micron Universal Thermal Clip-On version XII (UTC XII). To the right is the new 12 micron version. You’re looking at a 30% reduction in objective lens size and a lot less electronics behind it.

www.baesystems.com

SHOT Show – Applied Ballistics/Wilcox Ind RAPTAR-S

Tuesday, January 20th, 2015

The Rapid Targeting and Ranging Module (RAPTAR) – Solver is a joint project between Applied Ballistics and Wilcox Industries. It is an improvement over the original model providing IR Laser, Visible Laser, IR Flood, and Laser Range Finder along with the Applied Ballistics Solver. The system also takes into account Temperature and Humidity, Inclination, Cant, and Heading Reading as well as optional GPS inputs.

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BAE Systems Announces 12 Micron Thermal Weapon Sight

Monday, January 19th, 2015

This is a big deal for those of you who use Thermal Weapon Sights. The improvement will result in smaller and lighter sights which use less power. While the new technology is initially being integrated into the Universal Thermal Clip-On, I’m told you’ll see it brought over to new versions of the Skeet-IR and the UTM which are widely used.

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HUDSON, New Hampshire — BAE Systems today unveiled its first-to-market 12-micron thermal imaging technology that significantly improves the effectiveness of thermal weapon sights. The company’s Universal Thermal Clip-On version XII (UTC XII) is the first military-grade thermal weapon sight to include the new 12-micron technology, which greatly reduces lens size, total system weight, and battery use, while delivering improved image quality.

“This 12-micron-based solution builds on our decades-long history of providing special operations and tactical customers with cutting edge thermal imaging products,” said Marc Casseres, director of Imaging and Aiming at BAE Systems. “Our 12-micron technology, will allow users to detect, recognize, and defeat threats in all weather and visibility conditions, like never before.”

Similar to the 17-micron Universal Thermal Clip-On, which is currently fielded by the U.S. military in support of long-range sniper and surveillance missions, the UTC XII will also complement existing day sight systems. This versatility allows users to rapidly move from day to night vision with no mission interruption.

Providing 12-micron technology furthers BAE Systems’ commitment to delivering the latest technology in unrivalled thermal imaging and aiming products for the most discriminating operators. The UTC XII allows the user to detect, recognize, and identify threats in all weather conditions, day or night, and provides the ability to simultaneously observe the target area through fog, smoke, dust, and haze to provide superior situational awareness. The company plans to integrate 12-micron technology into its full line of thermal imaging and aiming monoculars, weapon sights, and binoculars.

BAE Systems will publicly display the UTC XII, in conjunction with its distribution partners TSSI and Source One, at the upcoming SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Exelis To Demonstrate NextGen Night Vision At SHOT Show 2015

Wednesday, January 14th, 2015

Exelis will be demonstrating their NextGen Individual Soldier System Night Vision at their booth #10974 at SHOT Show 2015.

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The Individual Soldier System integrates voice, video and data into tactical networks allowing commanders to view what soldiers are seeing, send instructions like texts, alerts or images directly to the goggle’s display in a light and sound secure way. This system integrates the Exelis i-Aware Tactical Night Vision Goggle with the high-data rate SpearNet EVO radio using Jagwire to provide on-demand access to critical geospatial intelligence data, reducing the time from collection to decision.

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White Phosphor capability provides night vision users with a black and white image instead of the traditional green image that has become the signature view through most Generation 3 night vision technology. This is done using a P-45 phosphor screen, instead of the traditional P-43, allowing an alternate coloration closer to black and white imagery, which some users prefer. Exelis offers this option in its peak performance Gen 3 tubes.

www.exelisinc.com/pages/default.aspx

AN/MSR-1 Intercept Van

Sunday, January 4th, 2015

The AN/MSR-1 was used by USAF Security Agency personnel during the Viet Nam war to monitor friendly communications in SIGSEC missions. Capable of monitoring HF, VHF and UHF radio transmissions, the AN/MSR-1 could also monitor microwave communications. In addition to three receivers, the system was originally equipped with 12 tape recorders.

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This ‘Misery’ is on display at the USAF Museum’s South East Asia War gallery at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH.

Kopis Mobile – Mapping & Multimedia Radio Infrastructure System (MMRIS)

Tuesday, December 30th, 2014

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Kopis Mobile and Tactical Electronics Corporation have collaborated to create MMRIS – the Mapping & Multimedia Radio Infrastructure System. MMRIS is a new system designed to allow end-users to remotely operate Icom radios using an Android cellular phone or tablet. Functionality includes sending text and photo messages and monitoring team radio locations using Icom narrowband radios as the communications link. For more information contact mmris@tacel.com. Click the image above to view a product .pdf.

TNVC – IR Defense Corporation IR Patrol Thermal Monoculars

Wednesday, December 24th, 2014

TNVC will be debuting a new line of IR Patrol Thermal Monoculars from IR Defense Corporation at SHOT Show 2015, booth #6502. The full release can be read below:

IR Defense Corporation answers the call for a low cost, military grade thermal monocular
World’s Most Cost Effective 640×480 Resolution Thermal Monocular

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Auburn, CA. IR Defense Corporation today announced the worldwide release of the IR Patrol family of thermal monoculars (http://www.irdefense.com/irp-main-price.html). The world’s best priced, 640×480, military grade monocular combines the high quality BAE thermal core with advanced electronics in a rugged, user friendly housing to bring users a next level, thermal detection device.

“Military, First Responders, and Sportsmen all have a need to see in the dark, but with limited budgets, quality products are typically out of reach. Our new IR Patrol thermal monocular solves that problem.” said Scott Henry, founder and CEO of IR Defense Corporation. “Working with BAE, we have developed one of the most affordable, high resolution, thermal night vision devices on the market”.

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Performance, Durability and Affordability

Whether it’s protecting our boarders, searching for a lost child, or eradicating feral hogs, operators need high resolution thermal images in a small robust device. The IR Patrol thermal monocular is a game changer for the night vision industry. For the first time ever, night vision users can enjoy thermal high definition imagery under five thousand dollars ($5,000.00 USD).

The IR Patrol features an advanced user interface with a military grade, five position mini joy stick that is the perfect size. The monocular’s ergonomic design provides users optimum functionality. The menu system was engineered to be intuitive and efficient to operate.

“The IR Patrol feels right in your hand. This thermal monocular is just plain sexy.” said David Rhomberg, Vice President Sales and Marketing, IR Defense Corporation. “I have been marketing night vision products for over fourteen years and have seen about every consumer and military grade night vision device on the market. No product has ever impressed me like our new thermal monocular.”

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Quality, Quality, Quality

The IR Patrol was designed for military applications with a consumer affordable price point. All the components of the IR patrol are the highest quality. The BAE long range infrared (LWIR) uncooled, 60Hz thermal core, combined with eMagin’s OLED, 10,000:1contrast VGA display encased in a ruggedized housing made from 6160 aircraft aluminum insuring the IR Patrols durability. Made in the USA, these quality components form the foundation stones for reliability.

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One Device Many Uses

The IR Patrol can be used hand held, head mounted, or even mounted to a weapon. IR Defense Corporation has worked with Wilcox industries to bundle the best in class mounting options.

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Pricing and Availability

The IR Patrol will be first shown to the public at the 2015 Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show ®) in the Tactical Night Vision (TNVC) booth # 6502. Limited shipments will be sent to select distributors beginning in February 2015. Pricing starts at $4995.00

For more information, see: http://www.irdefense.com.