Day and night
targeting systems for infantry By Paolo Valpolini
Safran Electronics & Defence has a wide portfolio of targeting bi-oculars, the JIM UC being one of those based on an uncooled thermal sensor. Š Safran
Asymmetric confrontation together with urban terrain, and associated rules of engagements, have increased the need for accuracy, both for direct and indirect fire. Accuracy involves the whole killing chain, the first link of which is definitely target identification and acquisition.
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nitially portable target acquisition systems able to acquire a target and send its grids to the effector, were assets available only to special forces or specialised target acquisition units. This is not anymore true, handheld target acquisition systems having been distributed to conventional troops, the most advanced armies deploying those devices down to platoon level. Typically such a system contains a day and a night channel, a GPS, a Digital
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EDR | March/April 2020
Magnetic Compass (DMC), and an eye-safe Laser Range Finder (LRF). Add on capabilities such as video recording, still photo capturing, Laser target marker, wireless connection, etc can also be added, as well as celestial compass to cope with GPS-denied scenarios. As in all infantry equipment, weight is definitely an issue, some elements being key to reduce it. Starting from the thermal channel, two options
