17 minute read
Day and night
Day and night targeting systems for infantry
By Paolo Valpolini
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Safran Electronics & Defence has a wide portfolio of targeting bi-oculars, the JIM UC being one of those based on an uncooled thermal sensor. © 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.
Initially 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 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
Two different microbolometers produced by Lynred and used in thermal imaging systems ; on the a 640x480 VGA microbolometer with a 12 µm pitch, which dimensions are 16.5x16.5 mm, and on the right one with 17 µm pitch, with 24x24 mm dimensions. The lens coverage circle diameter is reduced from 34 to 24 mm, with considerable weight saving on lenses. © Lynred
are available, cooled or uncooled focal plane arrays (FPAs), working respectively in the MidWave IR (3-5 µm) and in the Long Wave IR (8-14 µm). Range performances are definitely higher for cooled sensors, which however need a heavy and power hungry cooling machine, with a coolingdown time of a few minutes, while uncooled FPAs avoid that problem needing only a few seconds to activate.
In Europe one of the key players in that field is Lynred, created in mid 2019 by merging Sofradir with its subsidiary ULIS. The company is at the forefront of FPAs size reduction in both cooled and uncooled worlds: “the current generation sees FPAs with a 15 µm pitch in the cooled domain and 17 µm in the uncooled one, the shift towards a smaller pitch, respectively 10 and 12 µm being ongoing now,” a Lynred source told EDR Magazine. This allows reducing the FPA size at same resolution, which has an impact on one of the heavyweight elements in a handheld target acquisition system, the lens: optical glass lenses used for the objective, as well as the frame in which they are inserted, are relatively heavy, the lens diameter being imposed by the focal length as well as by the sensor dimension, the bigger the latter the bigger the image circle that the lens must produce, the bigger the lens dimensions. Pitch reduction will inevitably have a limit, which is imposed by physics and is related to the wavelength. According to Lynred the 12 µm reached for LWIR sensors might prove to be the smallest obtainable, however on MWIR sensors further reductions might be expected, down to 5-6 µm, the same being obviously true also for Short Wave IR sensors operating in the 0.7-2.5 µm band, which are however not yet used in the product category considered in this article.
Beside FPA dimensions, in the cooled sensors world another evolution is ongoing: increasing sensors operational temperature allows reducing power consumption as well as cooling-down time, with positive effects on operational availability. HOT (High Operating Temperature) FPAs are being produced with new technologies that require higher temperatures compared to the 80-90° Kelvin of standard sensors. Lynred is proposing a low power Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) sensor, working at 110°K, allowing over 10% reduction in power, while FLIR adopted the Type 2 Superlattice (T2SL) solution working some 10°K higher. However true HOT sensors will have to work between 130 and 160°K, the technologies allowing to reach those limits being under development now.
Reducing power consumption might allow to reduce the battery size, the power source being the other “heavy” element in a hand-held optronic system. Dedicated rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries feature higher energy density, thus reducing weight and dimensions compared to standard commercial batteries. However some customers prefer the latter solution, usually based on AA batteries, available everywhere in the world. In the last two years Li-Ion cells energy density was increased by 25%, from 200 to 255 Wh/kg,
Safran-Vectronix AG of Switzerland developed a very light system adding a thermal uncooled sensor to its Moskito, originally based on an image intensification tube, giving birth to the Moskito TI. © Vectronix
The Sohie-XF/VGA is one of the top quality systems in the Thales optronic portfolio, featuring a cooled thermal sensor, image stabilisation and fall of shot correction. © Thales
however according to major battery producers this technology is closing to the limit of its capabilities. New solutions are being developed, such as Lithium-sulfur modules providing around 400 Wh/kg. However to allow full exploitation of this new technology a number of hurdles have to be overcome, such as its bad behaviour at low temperatures, low number of recharging cycles (in the two digit area) as well as the industrialisation issue.
All this has however to be considered towards another key element, cost; while for a soldier, weight saving might be priority one, fighting with performances for the first place, when systems must be provided in numbers the acquisition chain might not think the same way. Weight versus resolution, adding other functionalities such as long range laser pointers, seem to be current issues, the market being constantly evolving depending on customers requirements. That said, the need for targeting systems is increasing throughout the world, Asia being considered the most promising market for the next 3-5 years, as investments are being made to modernise soldier’s equipment. This aim of this article is not to become a full catalogue, but to depict the latest products in this category, main technical data having been synthesised into a table for easier comparison.
Safran Electronics & Defence, and its Swiss Safran-Vectronix AG subsidiary, propose a range of systems with cooled and uncooled sensors. Safran developed the JIM brand which top product is the cooled JIM HR while in the uncooled world we find the JIM UC. Light and small, easy
Company Thales Safran Safran Transvaro Elbit Systems FLIR
Model Sophie Ultima JIM HR JIM Compact Engerek 8 Coral-CR Recon V
Night channel 640x512 640x480 640x480 640x512 640x512 640x480
Day channel Colour TV Colour TV Colour TV Colour TV Colour CCD no
Batteries Rechargeable COTS Rechargeable COTS Rechargeable COTS
Operating Time > 4 hours
≥ 5 hours > 4 hours
Weight < 2.5 kg < 2.8 kg 2 kg Rechargeable COTS Rechargeable COTS AA
≥ 4 hours 6 hours
A high-resolution uncooled multi-function bi-ocular the Sophie-MF ensures vehicles detection at over 10 km range. © Thales
to use, easily integrated into digital architectures, modular, these are the key features that drove Sagem designers to the JIM Compact, launched in 2016, a long-range system with cooled thermal sensor and detection ranges of over 7 km and 10 km respectively, with a 3 minutes cooling time and a 12 km laser rangefinder. The thermal and TV colour day channels have the same wide and narrow FoVs, respectively 13.5° and 4.5°, a third channel based on a low light level camera having a 6.2° wide FoV, the NFoV being again 4.5°. The JIM Compact is fitted with image stabilisation, multi-mode image fusion and continuous e-Zoom 1x-4x, as well as see spot capability. Compared to previous systems its weight and volume were reduced by at least 40%, a result obtained also by halving the batteries weight while maintaining the same autonomy. Recently a further mode was added as optional, the so-called TELD (Tireur d’Elite Longue Distance, for long range sniper). Developed in cooperation with the French Joint Special Operations Command, the TELD measures the distance to the target, and according to a firing table based on the weapon and on the type of round it computes the corrections, showing them in the display, the spotter thus being able to pass over the information to the shooter. According to Safran the TELD increases the probability of a sniper hitting a moving target with the first shot from 20 to 90% (results for 10 shots fired by novice sniper trainees using a target at 400 meters moving at 8 km/h). Existing JIM Compact can easily be fitted with the TELD, this being a software based upgrade. Beside the capability of capturing and storing stills and videos, the JIM Compact has analog and digital video output, and
as optional can be equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. The Safran-Vectronix AG Moskito is probably the smallest and lightest day/night observation and location unit. Originally developed with an Image Intensification night channel, it featured a 5x optical day channel and a 3x night channel based on a Photonis XR-5 tube, its laser rangefinder having a 10 km range measurement capability. To provide a higher level product, Vectronix replaced the II channel with an uncooled thermal channel, giving birth to the Moskito TI. This features a 6x optical day channel and a Low Light channel based on a CMOS sensor, both with a 6.25° FoV, the thermal channel having a 12° FoV. The GPS receiver as well as a Class 1 eye-safe Laser pointer are provided as optional.
The JIM Compact is in service in over 12 NATO forces, one of the latest orders being that of the Danish Armed Forces dated October 2019. Two months later the Swiss Army filed a contract that includes over 1,000 multifunction systems of the JIM Compact and Moskito TI models.
A still life of Thales Sophie Ultima; on the left side add-on modules can be installed in order to adapt the configuration to the mission. © Thales
Thales has developed a full range of hand-held targeting systems known as Sophie, ranging from the cooled Sophie-XF/VGA to the uncooled Sophie MF. The latest addition to the family, the Sophie Ultima, was unveiled at Eurosatory 2018. The aim was to decrease weight, increase range, be ready for collaborative combat, and ensure modularity and scalability. A four-in-one system based on an MWIR cooled sensor, its weight is close to that of uncooled systems while ensuring detection ranges of 12 and 18 km for human and vehicle targets respectively, with recognition and identification ranges of 4.5 and 8.5 km, and 2.3 and 4.5 km. The cool-down time has been reduced to only 3 minutes, nearly half that of previous systems. The thermal channel is fitted with an optical zoom providing continuous field of view variation between 20° and 2°. Beside the typical TV colour day channel, one of the two key new elements is the adoption of an optic channel fitted with a 7x35 lens that provides a 26° FoV, giving the best possible image in terms of true colours and lighting, a fusion mode with the TI image being also available. As for the TV colour channel, this allows video recording, images provided by the thermal channel being also recordable on the removable micro-SD card. The eye-safe laser rangefinder has a maximum range of 8 km, the Sophie Ultima being fitted with a C/A (Coarse Acquisition) GPS and with an NMEA connection to be linked up to other systems. USB2, Bluetooth, WiFi, Ethernet and RS232 interfaces are also available. The Sophie Ultima is fitted with image stabilisation, autofocus and super-resolution modes. Looking at modularity, it can accept as plug & play a series of add-on elements: on the left side, modules can be installed such as a SWIR camera, a laser designation module, a celestial north finding for increased accuracy, a TV channel with zoom, an LTE (Long-Term Evolution) communication module, allowing to adapt the system to mission.
No announcements on this new product were made since its unveiling, but according to information obtained at Eurosatory 2018 Thales should have delivered or is being close to deliver the first systems to the French Direction Générale de l’Armement. The group started developing its new range of Sophie systems from the top, another hand-held target acquisition system being planned that will be named Sophie Optima; it will feature an uncooled 1280x1024 microbolometer operating in the 8-12 µm band, with a dual FoV of 10° or 20°. Dropping the continuous zoom and the cooling machine will allow to further decrease the weight while of course D/R/I ranges will be reduced.
Based in Cambridge, UK, Thermoteknix state of the art target acquisition and location biocular is the TiCAM 1000C. Based on the same
Company Thermoteknix Safran Safran/ Vectronix Senop Senop Jenoptik
Model TiCAM 1000C JIM UC Moskito TI Lisa Lilly
Night channel 640x480 17 µm LW 640x480 640x480 640x480 640x480 Nyxus Bird MR
640x480 17 µm LW Elbit Systems
Mini Coral FLIR
Recon V Ultra Lite
640x480 640x512 12 µm
Day channel CCD colour 1280x960 Colour Optical 6x LL CMOS 1280x1024 Optical 4.6x CCD Colour 720x576 Optical 5x Optical 7x CCD Colour Colour CMOS
Batteries 8 x AA Rechargeable COTS 4 x CR123A 8 xAA 6 x CR123A Rechargeable COTS Rechargeable COTS 4 x AA
Operating Time 8 hours
≥ 6 hours 6 hours 10 hours > 5 hours > 8 hours 8 hours 4 hours
case design, the company also supplies the TiCAM 1000B, without the daytime CCD colour channel. All systems comply with MIL-STD and are classified as military use systems for UK export purposes. The company employs some 25 engineers in its R&D team who are responsible for all electronics, software and mechanical design. A variety of uncooled long wave infrared sensors are incorporated in their products which include their proprietary patented shutterless technology. The production of the TiCAM 1000 C model started in 2018, and since then Thermoteknix obtained considerable commercial successes in South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, no details on end user customers being available at this time. Both TiCAM 1000B and C models are fitted with visible or “invisible” Laser target marker, still image and video recorder, and are provided as standard with a 75 mm thermal lens providing a field of view of 8.3° x 6.2°, with a man detection range of 2,900 meters at night. An alternative option of a 60 mm lens can be provided, with a 10.4° x 7.8° FoV and a man detection range of 2,350 meters, allowing a weight reduction of around 0.1 kg. A 100 mm lens is also available, man detection range becoming 3,900 meters, the FoV being reduced to 6.2° x 4.7°. The TiCAM 1000C can be fitted optionally with triangulation modes and fall of shot capabilities for forward fire control and artillery support as well as pre-mission planning. In addition to its direct interface support of third party Battle Management Software, Thermoteknix have developed a proprietary Android application, ConnectIR, that links its live thermal, visible and
target location data from its TiCAM camera models to connected devices by Wi-Fi, cellular or Bluetooth networks. This product enables users to share data at point of capture or later, without the cost, need or complexity for a fully developed BMS or communications infrastructure. According to available information, the British company will be demonstrating this as well as launching other additions to their successful TiCAM range at Eurosatory 2020 in June.
Senop of Finland, part of the Patria Group, has two uncooled systems for targeting, named respectively Lisa and Lilly, both monocular. The former has two day channels, one based on a CCD camera colour with a 2.9°x2.3° FoV, while the second is a direct view with a 4.6x magnification, providing optimal daylight image; the thermal channel FoV is 6.2°x3.8° and is fitted with a digital zoom. The Class 1 LRF has a range of over 6 km, compatible with the maximum detection range against vehicles, that on human targets being of 3 km. The Lisa is fitted with a USB port, a video output, an RS232 port and Bluetooth connection. Smaller and lighter, the Lilly features the optical day channel with a 5x magnification with an 8.0°x5.9° FoV, the same of the thermal channel; the optical image is partly split thanks to a semi-transparent prism, so that it is visible for user`s eye and the high resolution day camera used for image and video capturing. Using the direct view channel alone does not require any power. Image fusion is available with both day channels, direct one and TV one. The LRF range is the same of the Lisa, however a 15 km LRF is
Thermoteknix, a specialist in thermal imaging, developed the TICAM 1000 family, the TICAM 1000C being the top product. © Thermoteknix
Senop of Finland, part of the Patria Group, has developed two uncooled systems, the Lisa and the Lilly, the latter having an optic day channel which images can be recorder thanks to a semi-transparent prism. © Senop
proposed as option. Detection ranges are slightly reduced, 5 and 2 km respectively. The Lilly is fitted with an eye-safe laser pointer, connectivity being similar to that of the Lisa with added Ethernet and WLAN capabilities.
In Germany Jenoptik developed the Nixus Bird multifunctional thermal imager, which beside the uncooled thermal channel features a direct view optic channel with a 7x magnification and an optical aperture of 40 mm. The original system had a thermal channel with an 11°x8° FoV, which allowed a detection range of 5 km for vehicle-size targets, the LRF range being thus 5 km. In the mid2010s the company decided to produce a Long Range version, the Nyxus Bird being thus now available in the MR and LR models. The latter has a lens with an increased focal length and a narrower FoV, 7°x5°, and can detect a vehicle at over 7 km. One of the latest addition to the hand-held targeting category comes from Turkey; Transvaro developed the Engerek 8, which employs an MWIR 640x512 FPA cooled sensor of the latest technology provided by FLIR, based on the T2SL technology, with a 15 µm pitch. A 15x optical zoom allows a continuous adaptation of the FoV from 2.04°x1.63° to 20.16°x16.9°, an 8x electronic zoom being also available. As for the day channel, this is based on a 1920x1080 colour camera with a 30x zoom, the FoV ranging from 2.84°x2.27° to 27.86°x22.44°. Transvaro claims a detection range of over 8.5 km against human targets and 21 km against the typical 2.3x2.3 meters NATO target, respective identification ranges being 1.4 and 3.5 km. The LRF has a range of over 10 km against the NATO target. The Engerek 8 has an internal memory allowing recording up to four hours video in MP4/AVI format, as well as jpg images.
Elbit Systems of Israel proposes one cooled and one uncooled systems. The former, known as Coral-CR, has a thermal channel fitted with a continuous zoom, its FoV ranging from 2.5°x2° to 12.5°x10°, the day channel providing a wide FoV of 10° and a narrow FOV of 2.5°. The detection range against human targets is of 5 km and against vehicles of 11 km. Much lighter, the Mini Coral features a fixed lens with a 6°x4.5° FoV for both night and day channels and a LRF with a 2.5 km range, detection ranges being of 4.8 km for a vehicle and 3 km for a human target. Both systems are fitted with a fusion mode allowing to merge day and night images.
The Engerek 8, produced by Transvaro of Turkey, employs a HOT cooled sensor developed by FLIR that reduces power consumption and cooling time. © P. Valpolini
In Israel Elbit Systems developed the Coral family; here the Coral-CR cooled system, a MiniCoral being the uncooled member of the family. © Elbit Systems
