In an effort to monitor unauthorised unmanned air vehicles flying near borders and over critical infrastructure, Controp has revealed a new surface-based payload that can track small and large targets.
The Tornado air defence electro-optical/infrared system was an Israeli Ministry of Defence requirement, and is able to conduct a 360 degree scan in 1-2 seconds to produce a panoramic image.
“It can detect and track the smallest UAV up to the largest aircraft,” Lori Erlich, director of marketing and communications at Controp, tells Flight Daily News, adding that the proliferation of UAVs by both the military and the general public has led to control having to be implemented to monitor if they fly to close to unauthorised areas. “This 360 view is a capability not offered by other systems.”
"Drones are becoming more prevalent and they present new threats to personal security. Most of the radar-based air defense systems are not designed to withstand the threats of small drones that fly below 100 feet," Johnny Carni vice president of marketing, says.
Tornado is capable of tracking targets in close proximity of 100 metres, as well as at distances up to tens of kilometres away.
It has a continuous zoom to provide a constant surveillance picture, and can automatically detect moving targets and provide a track for each.
The payload is man-portable, and can be operated from moving platforms like vehicles and vessels, or it can be mounted on a mast.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
