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07 Oct 08. The U.S. DoD, seeing the success of the deployment of the Driver Vision Enhancer system onto a number of legacy vehicles in theatre in Iraq and Afghanistan, has expanded the requirement to include all vehicles in service by 2011 by the issue of a fully-funded IDIQ worth approximately $2 billion. BATTLESPACE understands that responders to the IDIQ include, BAE Systems, DRS Technologies, Flir Systems Inc. and Raytheon. DRS and FLIR were showing examples of their DVEs and ancillary equipment at AUSA.
DRS Technologies
DRS has made some enhancements to its existing DVE equipment, including a stabilized gimble to meet the new DoD requirements. The new DVE requirement requires the winning bidder’s equipment to be compatible with the older systems.
DRS Technologies’ Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE) has been fielded on a number of key vehicles in the U.S. fleet including Abrams, Bradley, FMTV, M113, Stryker and MRAPs. The DRS DVE has also been fielded on the Bulldog, CVR(T) and Warrior vehicles in the U.K. DRS showed its DVE fit on the Land Rover on the Hobson Industries stand at DVD this year and on a HMMV at this year’s AUSA. The US Requirement stretches into the HMMV fleet and the U.K. is actively considering DVE’s for its Land Rover fleet. DVE also forms part of the JLTV Requirement and is being offered for OUVS.
The DRS DVE B-kit provides combat and tactical-wheeled vehicle operators with unparalleled flexibility to conduct day/night operations or maneuver in severely degraded visual conditions caused by smoke, fog, dust or other battlefield obscurants. The DVE B-kit provides situational awareness, vehicle tracking, support elements for the combat force, and gives an operator the ability to detect targets or ambushes.
The DVE B-kit System is comprised of two Line Replaceable Units (LRUs): the Sensor Module (SM) with the integral Uncooled Mini-Microbolometer module and the Display and Control Module (DCM). These LRUs are interchangeable in the non-captive A-kit adapter bracket which fits into the vision block of various combat vehicles or mounted externally on the vehicle to maximize the viewing area. These units fit into all standard vehicle A-kits and are adaptable to other customer furnished A-kits.
DVE B-kits fit into A-kits of various tactical wheeled vehicles as well. DRS’s DVE B-kit is upgradeable (e.g., improved optics and focal plane arrays for increased resolution and field-of- view). This reduces the potential for technical obsolescence and allows inexpensive upgrades to maintain the equipment utility.
DRS OmniScape
DRS used this year’s AUSA to launch its new OmniScape video and data distribution system which both enhances and complements the DVE system giving vehicle operators and crew total 360 degree visibility to the outside terrain of their own and other vehicles. OnmiScape was developed using DRS Private Venture funding.
“DRS’s OmniScape Video and Data Distribution system is a vehicle-central conduit for all video and data reformatting, routing and management designed to fulfil 24/7 situational awareness for U.S. and coalition armed forces. It is designed to interface with existing vehicle C4I systems including FBCB2, DVE and EO targeting systems. It has the added benefit of having a large data storage facility which backs up all data to protect the system and its contents in the event of battle damage. The technology for OmniScape was leveraged off the 1996 BAE Grizzly Engineering vehicle project.” Gary Smith, VP & General Manager of DRS Test & Energy Management Inc. told BATTLESPACE.” “The system provides all round 360 degree visibility and connectivity to vehicles in all types of conflict and weather. One immediate application is to provide 24/7 surveillance and protection for the MRAP vehicles. Urban warfare situations require the troops to know of the whereabouts of any hostiles or IEDs prior to disembarkation from the vehicles. Targets and information can be handed over by OmniScape from other vehicles. It is complementary to the DVE system and can also be adapted for security and training applications.”
OmniScape contains the necessary functions to collect and distribute video and data throughout a combat vehicle. The system can connect to up to 21 camera inputs and simultaneously display up to 16 display outputs regardless of the format of the input or output device. OmniScape also has the necessary functions for camera control such as priority, gain and level adjustments.
The system has up to 21 camera inputs 14 composite analog (PAL, NTSC, SECAM, S-Video) 4 component analog (RGB, YPbPr); up to XGA DVI gigabit ethernet 1 TIS. It also has 4 independent video outputs that can be configured for component; allows each crew member to have different or the same graphics, selectable by the crew member; also allows data to be displayed such as vehicle condition and FBCB2 data.
DRS DVE Features
* Day/night 24-hour operation capability
* Ability to see through dust, smoke and other battlefield obscurant
* Enhanced situational awareness, silent watch operation capability
* Upgradeable enhancements
* Adaptable to many vehicles including: Abrams AVLB, Bradley EFV, FMTV, HEMTT, HETS, HMMWV, LAV, M88, M113 and Stryker.
Performance
Range (detection)
Standing man, dirty battlefield 190 m
Static vehicle, clear weather 1790 m
Field-of-view, nominal: 31.5° vertical x 42.2° horizontal
Field-of-regard, with A-kit
Combat vehicle: ± 50° azimuth and +35/-15° elevation
Tactical wheeled: ± 90° azimuth and +35/-60° elevation
Operational
Reliability:
MTBF: 2000 hrs
MRT
0.55 cycles/mr 0.04°C
0.16 cycles/mr 0.06°C
0.22 cycles/mr 0.14°C
Environments
Operating temperature: -37° to +49°C
Vibration: Combat vehicle
Shock: Weapon firing shock
Waterproof: Humidity, immersion, rain
Maintenance: Two-level logistics
Interfaces
Power requirement: 16 to 32 VDC, 24 VDC nominal
Output: SMPTE 170 on 10.4-inch flat panel display (800 x 600 active matrix LCD)
Digital interface: RS-232/RS-422
VCR compatibility: All standard NTSC formats
Technology
Detector: 640 x 480, 8-12 µm microbolometer (International option) 320 x 240 microbolometer
DRS OmniScape Features
Enclosure: 10.7” (L) x 13.3” (W) x 5” (H)
Weight 20lbs
Environmental
Operating Temperatures -40 degrees C continuous 70 degrees C for 30 minutes
Storage Temperature -51 degrees C to 51 degrees C
Shock 20g for 11 ms
Humidity 95% relative humidity
Communications
2GB Ethernet, 1 USB 2.0, 3 RS232, 4 RS485, 4 J1708, 4 CAN MIL-STD-1553
Power
18-32Vdc 40W Mil-STD-1275 normal operational compliant MIL-STD-461D for ground vehicles compliant 140w at low temperature.
Video input
Up to 21 camera inputs 14 composite analog (PAL, NTSC, SECAM, S-Video) 4 component analog (RGB, YPbPr); up to XGA DVI gigabit ethernet 1 TIS
Video output
4 independent video outputs that can be configured for component; allows each crew member to have different or the same graphics, selectable by the crew member; also allows data to be displayed such as vehicle condition and FBCB2 data.
FLIR Systems Inc.
Thermal imaging products form the bedrock of FLIR Systems Inc. as the name suggests.
FLIR was established in 1978 to pioneer the development of high-performance, low-cost infrared (thermal) imaging systems for airborne applications. Toward the close of the 1980s, FLIR began to leverage its experience in infrared imaging technology to develop hand-held and laboratory systems for a variety of commercial applications that required not only superior image quality, but also the ability to detect and measure temperature differences. This effort accelerated with the acquisition of the industrial infrared imaging group from the Hughes Aircraft Co. in 1990.
To underline the growth of the Company, FLIR announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008 Revenue was $261.0m, up 42% compared to second quarter 2007 revenue of $184.3m. Excluding the impact of the previously announced acquisitions of Extech Instruments Corporation and Cedip Infrared Systems, revenue increased by 32% compared to the second quarter of 2007. Operating income for the quarter was $64.7m, up 57% from $41.2m in the second quarter of 2007. Net income for the quarter was $45.4m, or $0.29 per diluted share, compared with net income of $29.1m, or $0.19 per diluted share on a split-adjusted basis, in the second quarter a year ago.
Bill Sundermeier, President Government Systems, FLIR Systems Inc. gave journalists a robust update on the Company’s progress on the first day of AUSA, October 6th.
The company now has $1 billion in infrared sales and invests, uniquely to other companies, 10% of its revenues in R&D. He reported that FLIR is expanding its in-house capabilities by the opening of its own silicon foundry to produce uncooled IR detectors. At first the plant will produce 320x240 spec detectors moving to 640x480 later next year.
“Will you be competing for the upcoming $2 billion DVE Requirement?” The Editor asked.
“Of course, we have developed a new VVE system leveraging our expertise in civilian vehicle DVEs where we are supplying BMW and will soon announce another customer. This is the fastest growing segment of Flir.”
FLIR is a world leader in the provision of IR systems to civilian motor vehicles and their PathFindIR system is provided as a standard option on BMW 7 Series cars. There is little doubt that PathFindIR is a life saving device as it gives drivers a picture of the road ahead in any conditions 24/7. FLIR is also developing an add-on system which can predict movements of pedestrians, another life saving device.
PathFindIR is a high-resolution thermal imager which enables the driver to see clearly in total darkness, further than with headlamps alone, through light fog, smoke, and dust with the same technology used by military users. Advanced image processing provides crisp clear images of the scene in front of the driver, whilst an automatic window heater provides optimum performance in cold weather. It is a thermal not active IRP using passive technology and works day and night, and is unaffected by ambient light sources like oncoming headlamps. It has a standard video output and works with all common monitor types. It is compact in size and easy to install.
“How far has your technology developed since last AUSA?”
“Our technology advances are reflected by the fact that we have taken $900 million in sales since the last AUSA. We now have a 5% market share with Raytheon being the market leader.” Bill Sundermeier continued.
“Are you making headway in international sales?”
“Yes, we have made a number of key sales in the Middle East and Europe, the U.K. in particular. We installed some systems on an RG31 for a Middle East customer and have supplied a number of systems to the U.K. MoD for light vehicles. We are expanding our European vehicle penetration using our increased presence at the UK DVD Show where we will continue to support the off-road filming.”
“Are you looking at the unmanned ground vehicle market?”
“Absolutely. We have systems installed on UGV’s, and all of our vehicle sensors are equally suited to unmanned vehicles as they are to manned vehicles.”
FLIR VVE-FOS Features
Flir produces three versions of its Vehicle Vision Enhancement System (VVE) 640x480 sensor, VVE Forward Activity Detection System (FADS), a twin camera system enabling driver and observer to see the same picture, VVE DVE which is a driver-only system and VVE DVE-Lite which is a fixed DVE module.
“We offer a completely stabilized DVE system for the new Requirement,” Charlie Douglas, product manager, Land Systems, told BATTLESPACE. “The older static systems gave drivers orientation problems when driving over rough terrain. The variable speed pan/tilt controlled through the Joystick Controller Mode allows the driver or the observer to quickly scan a target if he or the observer detects suspicious activity. The system has a quick release facility to allow for rapid swap.”
“Do you intend to add any features in the future?”
“Yes, the system accommodates the ability to provide spiral upgrades such as laser spot imaging and pinpointing of targets to NVG-equipped soldiers.” Charlie Douglas said.
“Do you have any other complementary systems?”
“Yes, we have a number of systems, the new Wedge 40 system we are announcing at the show and the WideEye II system.” Charlie Douglas concluded.
Wedge 40
Wedge 40 is a close support IR surveillance system with a 40 degree field of view using a day/night IR camera. A vehicle can accommodate a number of systems which gives the troops 200 metres of safety zone whilst disembarking on a full 360 degree area.
The Army has issued an RFI for the CS3 (close support surveillance system) program though initial deployment has been delayed due to funding issues.
The requirement calls for an initial batch of 50 Stryker vehicles to be outfitted which requires 500 Wedge systems.
WideEye II
WideEye II is the world’s first panoramic thermal imager with a 180 degree field of view providing continuous unmatched situational awareness for vehicle crew safety and threat detection. It is well suited to vehicle viewer applications and two WideEyes can be coupled together for 360 degree situational awareness. WideEye is ideally suited to work in conjunction with a mid or long range camera in a slew to cue configuration and is fully networkable.
Conclusion
Having established a strong presence in the airborne and naval markets, Flir is now busily establishing a strong market share in the land systems business, which also includes static systems which have been sold extensively into Iraq and Afghanistan to protect barracks. These systems are mounted on towers and aerostats.
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