Safran has introduced its new Euroflir 410 airborne electro-optical sensor, which will be integrated on the French army’s new Patroller unmanned air vehicle.
It integrates a number of different sensors in one pod, including four lasers, two optical zoom cameras, and two spotters, and the line replaceable unit can be integrated on an array of platforms including special mission and rotary aircraft, as well as airships and UAVs.
It is a multispectral system that provides “unequalled target detection and identification at
longer standoff distances”, Safran says. It can be used in a number of different environments including smoke, dust, fog and saline during the day or at night.
The laser options include a range finder, pointer, illuminator and designator, and the latter can be used to guide precision-guided air-to-ground munitions.
It has standard interfaces to allow integration with multiple mission system types, as well as to communicate with onboard systems.
In April 2016 it was announced that France had selected the Patroller for its tactical UAV requirement over the rival Thales Watchkeeper system, making it the launch customer for the Sagem aircraft.
In addition to the Euroflir, Paris’ Patroller will also carry Leonardo’s PicoSAR active electronically scanned array radar, it was announced in February.
Source: Flight International
