High Performance Thermal Imaging Cameras

Selex ES Thermal Imaging Heritage

Selex ES have been producing high performance thermal imaging systems for many years

1st Generation (1970s & 80s)

• e.g. TICM-1 & TICM-II

2nd Generation (1990s & 2000s)

• e.g. Stairs C, Sigma Eagle

3rd Generation (2010 onwards)

• e.g. SLX imagers, MWIR, LWIR,

DWIR

SLX Imager Architecture

The latest SLX range is based on Common Modules

• Compact and flexible configuration

– Modules can be fit around the system

• Large range of standard user configurable features

– Analogue & Digital video incl. CCIR, DVI, HD-SDI, Camlink..– Image orientation, graphics, overlays, e-zoom and pan, etc.

• Powerful Image Processing Module

– Real time processing, e.g. Simultaneous dual-channel NUC correction, Local Area Contrast Enhancement, Microscan processing, etc.

• High Frame Rate Modes

– Flexible readout resolutions and speeds. Frame rates > 1000 Hz possible.

• Common Modules take a range of detectors, e.g…

– Osprey 384x288, MWIR and LWIR, 20um pitch, 4-channel

– Hawk 640x512, MWIR and LWIR, 16um pitch, 4-channel

– Harrier 640x512, LWIR, 20um pitch, 8-channel

– Merlin 1024x768, MWIR or LWIR, 8-channel

– CondorIV 860x480, Dual Waveband MW-LW, 8-channel

SLX-Hawk MWIR Camera

Continuous zoom lens 1.8 – 24 HFOV

In-service in a number of platforms worldwide

Qualified to Military Environment

• DEF STAN 00-35 / MIL STD 810 Level

• Temperature -40ºC to +55ºC Operating

• Vibration, Shock, EMC, for Land, Air and Sea categories

Selex ES Hawk MCT Detector

• Waveband – MWIR (3–5 um)

• Format - 640 x 512

• Pixel Pitch – 16um

• NETD – 17mK typical

© Copyright Selex ES. All rights reserved

Horizon

Designed and manufactured in the UK and Dual Use rated.

Very long life linear cooling engine – 50,000 hour life

Common Electronics for SD and HD variants

Common F/4.0 zoom lens for SD and HD zoom ratio of 12:1

Narrow FoV IFoV

• SD = 16.7Radians per pixel for both SD

• HD = 12.5Radians per pixel

Video and Control over Ethernet

ONVIF Control Interface

Image processing features including but not limited to:

• Turbulence mitigation

• Electronic image stabilisation

Mass <22kg, size 305 x 305 x 625

Environmental specification shall be for tower mounted cameras in climates ranging from Def Stan 00-35 A1 (hot) to C2 (cold) climates, operating -40 to 55 deg C ambient air.

ERICA Plus

ERICA Plus uses Selex ES MWIR MCT HAWK detector with a 16μm pitch coupled with a very narrow FOV step zoom lens.

3 FOV

• Narrow 1.2°x 0.94°

• Medium 4.0° x 3.2°

• Wide 24.0°x 19.2°

Weight <5 kg

Dimensions 254 mm x 151 mm x 241 mm

Applications

• Airborne gimbals

• Mast mounted systems

• Primary and secondary sights

• Naval surveillance and tracking systems.

TILDE B LWIR Camera

Based on latest Selex ES thermal imaging modules, TILDE B is a thermal imager operating in the LWIR spectral band with a staring FPA 640 x 512 Selex ES detector

KEY FEATURES

• Programmable configuration

• Autofocus

• Multiple communication I/F

• CCIR video signal compatible with Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) monitors,

• Graphics overlays

• Powered directly from vehicle power supply or from battery pack

Dual Fov Optic

• Wide 8.1° X 6.5°

• Narrow 2.7° X 2.2°

Weight 5.2kg

Dimensions (mm) 230x120x180

© Copyright Selex ES. All rights reserved

Range Performances

Parameter Units SLX Hawk Horizon-HD Erica Plus TILDE B

DRI

Vehicle      

Detection km 20 >50 18 20

Recognition km 7 20.6 12 8

Identification km 3.9 16.9 7.5 4

Man      

Detection km 12.8 30.3 13.5 7

Recognition km 3.2 8.0 4 3

Identification km 1.6 6.3 2.5 2

Example Images

UK High Performance Thermal Imaging (ALBION)Programme Status – System Integration

SLX-Merlin at Castlemartin UK MOD trials

Clock Tower (Big Ben)

Horizon Imagery

7 degrees with SD integration imager (people c. 650m) 0.6 degrees with SD integration imager (people c. 650m). AGO should have been set to LACE