TNVC is running their annual Tax-Refund special: IRS (Infra Red Sale). Check out their website for savings on all Generation 3 Night Vision Monoculars and Night Vision Scopes. The sale also covers other Infra Red items such as IR Illuminators, Class1 IR Lasers, and IR Signaling Devices. Save money on popular brands such as:
ITT Exelis
L-3 Electro Optical Systems
Laser Devices, Inc.
Princeton Tec
S&S Precision
Adventure Lights
ACR Electronics
The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has awarded BAE Systems an $11 million contract to procure the SkeetIR thermal monocular.
The combat proven monocular can be used in a variety of modes. It serves in weapon clip-on, handheld, and helmet mount modes and piggy-back to provide visual augmentation for image intensified (I2) devices. This turns a simple I2 device into a fusion device. Additionally, because it is a thermal imager it can be used day or night and used to peer through smoke or obscurants.
“Our primary focus is to allow our operators to see the enemy before they’re seen, and the SkeetIR does just that,” said Vadim Plotsker, president of BAE Systems OASYS in Manchester, New Hampshire, where the devices are designed and produced. “The SkeetIR has undergone extensive Department of Defense review and testing and is often referred to as a game changing operational capability.”
The SkeetIR is one of the smallest and most versatile thermal imagers on the market. It fits within the dimensions of a credit card and it allows for seamless operational transition from an observation to a targeting device. These uncooled LWIR sights can be turned on and put into action in less than four seconds and are controlled by a combination of hot buttons and an intuitive menu. Calibration is quickly accomplished when needed and a red dot sight can be instantly boresighted with the SkeetIR. The SkeetIR also includes a red laser for target designation. Finally, the devices are configured in such a way that the firmware can be altered or upgraded as needed. In fact. they are working on increasing battery life and decreasing warm up periods.
BAE uses the same remote as Insight for laser activation so the UTM is backwards compatible with the PEQ-2A, PEQ-15, PEQ-16, PSQ-18, and M3X/M6X weaponlights. There is no need to purchase additional new accessories and if a cable is lost or damaged it is easily replaced from existing spares. Finally, to conserve power, the SkeetIR utilizes a Hall Effect Sensor to go into standby mode and eventually shut down when disconnected from its mount.
BAE Systems OASYS has expertise in thermal imaging technology, optical assembly design and manufacture, precision optical components, and rapid development of multi-mission use devices. The company continues to improve its systems providing customers with smaller, lighter, and lower power devices.
Having worked with the SkeetIR I can tell you that it is simple to use and greatly enhances situational awareness. Additionally, I really like the versatility of the sight’s various mountain options.
Note: This is an ITAR restricted item.
Several versions of stickers that mimic the markings on genuine AN/PVS-14/15 Night Vision Devices have hit the market. They are designed to be placed on resin models of the devices to enhance realism for MilSim players and reenactors.
However, because of the way they are being marketed by some, we encourage everyone to pay attention to several key features of any real night vision devices they purchase or are issued. It has come to our attention that there are unscrupulous vendors marketing shop built subpar versions of the NVGs using tubes of unknown quality. They may use these types of stickers to mislead buyers. Military issued systems should be ok unless someone tried to do a switcharoo or supply at the small unit level got a ‘good deal’ on additional systems. Be diligent in pre-combat inspections.
If you need actual devices, buy factory direct ITT units that come with factory ITT stickers serialized on the unit that match the enclosed pre-paid UPS labels along with RMA tags. There are numerous vendors that are trustworthy. The best advice when dealing with night vision is: ‘Cheap’ doesn’t just mean inexpensive.
We’ve mentioned the Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) program in the past. Remember the Vuzix Next Generation Display Technology we wrote about last Spring? It’s a major enabling technology but there’s still a lot going on.
Raytheon is the prime for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) PCAS program which is intended to allow the joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) the ability to rapidly engage multiple, moving and simultaneous targets within his area of responsibility. Additionally, the system will be designed to reduce collateral damage and potential fratricide to friendly forces. What’s more, PCAS is taking a ‘system-of-systems’ approach demonstrating the ability to digitally task a CAS platform from the ground.
DARPA’s been working the software, man-machine interface and JTAC portions of the program hard. The missing piece has been the aircraft in the loop. Recently, Aurora Flight Sciences was chosen to convert an A-10 CAS platform into an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) which may well be the most ambitious element of the program. Despite the Air Force’s long-term goal of retiring the most successful CAS aircraft ever built, ground forces are one step closer to controlling their own CAS. We foresee a day where ground force commanders own purpose-built CAS platforms controlled by non-rated JTACs.
Blackheart International was set up just around the corner from US Night Vision at SHOT Show. Looks like they saw the PVS14 iPhone Adapter we wrote about.
I still think this was one of the best things that came out of SHOT Show this year. The concept is pretty simple and combines the strengths of night vision and digital imagery. The adapter connects the AN/PVS14 to an iPhone. You can use your preferred digital photography app to capture and manipulate stills and full motion video. Then, it’s as simple as transmitting the data via SMS or email.
This catalog will give you a good idea of the advanced optical sensor technologies that Adams Industries brings to the table. They don’t just sell other’s products. Adams Industries integrates technologies into specific form factors. They are constantly adding new products so make sure you check up on their website regularly.
Early this week, the Department of National Defence of Canada released a Request for Proposals for their next generation Soldier system. According to DND, “Integrated Soldier System Project will provide the soldier with an integrated suite of equipment that includes weapon accessories, electronic devices, sensors, individual equipment and operational clothing. This soldier system will significantly increase soldier performance, as soldiers and low-level command centres will seamlessly share data and voice communications through a network. This capability will facilitate effective and timely interaction. As a result, soldiers will have more comprehensive situational awareness, real-time tactical information and greater synchronization of activity.” What we’ve got here is a classic Soldier digitization program straight out of the 90s. It is another attempt to integrate sensors and comms onto the Soldier as a platform in order to increase Situational Awareness which will result increased survivability and lethality.
Diagram – Canada DND
They intend to award two contracts to one successful bidder. According to the RFP these two contracts consist of:
“The first contract, called the ISS Acquisition Contract will be over an approximate period of four (4) years and will consist of a qualification of the ISS and then, if successfully qualified, the purchase of a firm quantity of ISS in pre-determined batches totaling one thousand six hundred (1,600) units as complete system along with associated preliminary Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) such as technical documentation, training and initial provisioning of spares, with the option to purchase, in multiple parts, optional quantities up to an additional five thousand twenty four (5,024) ISS-Suites as complete system or component by component.
The second contract, called the ISS Optimized Weapon System Support Contract, will be for the ISS In-Service Support and Improvement Activities over a period of five (5) years plus 3 two-year irrevocable options allowing Canada to extend the term of the Contract.”
Potential offerors have until 2012-04-18 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Saving Time EDT to submit their proposals. The ISSP RFP is available on Merx, the Canadian equivalent of FedBizOpps.
Swiss firm Navatiq has developed a new compact Unmanned Ground Vehicle called the Scorp which can pull double duty as a recce as well as EOD asset. It is a lightweight (~2.5 kg), throwable bot that boasts day/night 360° omnidirectional panoramic vision via 4 cameras mounted 1 per side. As you can see from the photo below, it also incorporates a built in microphone as well as Picatinny rails to mount additional accessories or sensors. Planned enhancements include biochemical detector, disruptor, encryption, manipulator with pincer, autonomous navigation, firing explosive charges, thermal imaging, etc.
The tracked Scorp also features articulating flipper arms to right itself in the event of a tumble or to aid in climbing. The control unit offers full recording capability as well as a range of 500 meters outdoors (line of sight) and 100 meters indoors (line of sight). Additionally, by utilizing alternative frequencies you can operate up to four robots within the same zone.
The Scorp is now available from the Polish form SPECOPS.
