Members of the US Army and Marine Corps operating multiple UAS platforms in extreme conditions and in bright sunshine will now get improved viewing.

MaxVision has announced its rugged deployable workstation MesaMax is set to become a critical component of the AAI unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), One System Ground Control Station (OSGCS) for the US military.

OSGCS is used to operate multiple unmanned aircraft systems over battlefield and operations areas and to disseminate the valuable intelligence video collected. In coordination with MaxVision, AAI developed the portable OSGCS as the core of the Shadow Tactical UAS (TUAS) program.

One of the major issues with operating a UAS in theater is the ability to see the ground control station displays in direct sunlight. Until now, operators have been restricted to viewing displays in sheltered environments, which may reduce situational awareness. MesaMax's advanced graphics features mean that operators will be able to clearly see the display graphics no matter how bright or how dark the environment.

Designed to operate in extreme environments, including dirt, dust, debris, rain, heat, and cold, the MesaMax workstation conducts all of the computing and processing for the portable OSGCS. It will also host the digital data link to the Shadow enabling the operators to "communicate" with the air vehicles. MesaMax will also process and disseminate the video retrieved from the Shadow, thereby arming warfighters with the information and situational awareness needed to successfully complete their missions.

"MesaMax employs a new-to-market, highly innovative, sealed electronics packaging technology that allows the use of best-of-class COTS [commercial, off-the-shelf] motherboards and graphics technology while holding up to the most extreme military testing standards. All COTS components are totally sealed with state-of-the-art heat transfer to a quiet, unfiltered, air exchange. This creates an amazing compact desktop footprint of less than 6in deep. Also, slide-out foot extensions of less than 12in keep the unit stable in winds over 35 knots," said Bruce Imsand, MaxVision's chief executive.

Source: Flight Daily News

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