Uralsky Optical-Mechanical Plant (UOMZ) of Yekaterinburg in Russia is actively marketing an imaging infra-red system (IIR) for helicopter and naval platforms developed in co-operation with Swedish company AGEMA. AGEMA supplies sensor arrays, and UOMZ is responsible for integrating the system in a gyro-stabilised ball mounting.
The system is designated GOES-310/320/330, depending on the number of channels integrated into it. These may also include television camera and laser rangefinder/designators. The system is already installed in the Mil Mi-28N attack helicopter and is expected to be fitted to the twin-seat Kamov Ka-52 soon.
The tracking system has ±235 degrees horizontal and up to 160 degrees vertical angle tracking coverage. The latter is divided into +40 degrees/-115 degrees in the Mi-28N. Tracking angle rate is limited to 30 degrees per second.
The laser rangefinder/designator has a range capability of 10-12km (5-7nm).
The choice of a Swedish partner in developing the IIR system is significant because Mil believes that the Mi-28N is among the favourites for the Swedish Armed Forces' next-generation attack helicopter.
UOMZ says that another promising customer is India, which may want to modernise its fleet of Mil Mi-24/25 Hind helicopters to night-attack capability.
Source: Flight International
