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Integrated Systems

Sensors and mission system Sensors in SAR Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS)

Sensors and mission system

The C-295 provides the customer highest flexibility and options as to what combination is desired. All technologies listed work in tandem, providing the customer a state-of-the-art SAR aircraft. Technologies described are in daily service with numerous operators worldwide.

Forward-Looking Infrared /Electro-Optical Turret (FLIR/EO)

The chin-mounted EO/IR sensor on an Airbus Military C-295. In auto-scan, the turret performs an automatic sweep, with scan angles and rates selected by the operator. The system will automatically lock on any target detected and start auto-tracking.

The FLIR/EO is the main system for identification, providing the operator with the capability to detect, localize, classify, identify, and track targets during day or night. Examples of ranges for detection are:

  • Ocean-going fishing vessels or merchant ships: between 10 and 20 nm.
  • Small craft or inflatable boats: between 5 and 10 nm.

The FLIR/EO system includes a gyro-stabilized turret with infrared and daylight sensors and is usually installed on the chin of the aircraft, providing thus unrestricted field of view over 360º in azimuth. It includes the following sensors:

  • Infrared
  • Continuous zoom TV colour camera
  • Spotter scope monochrome TV camera

Multi-Mode Search Radar

Modern multi-mission search radar usually on board fixed or rotary wing SAR aircraft enable long-range detection of small maritime, air or ground targets, while being optimized for the detection, tracking, and classification of maritime targets. Two examples of detection:

  • Ocean-going fishing vessels or merchant ships: between 50 and 100 nm.
  • Small craft or inflatable boats: between 20 and 35 nm.

Early and simultaneous detection and tracking of multiple vessels allows target classification without the need to over-fly each of them, which in turn reduces response time. Additionally, an Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) mode provides vessel classification at radar range in day/night conditions. The air-to-air detection mode allows the aircraft to act as On-Scene Commander while the Synthetic Aperture Radar mode provides ground mapping capabilities similar to those of observation satellites.

Direction Finder

The Direction Finder can be operated as a navigation unit providing relative bearing between the aircraft and V/UHF transmitters and an audio receiver. The DF may be integrated with the data management system, providing guidance to the avionics system.

The Direction Finder system is capable of scanning the three international distress frequencies - 121.5, 243.0 and 406.025 MHz - and to operate ARGOS beacons. It also can search a selected tactical frequency while scanning the three distress frequencies.

Automatic Identification System

The Automatic Identification System implementation facilitates the quick classification of merchant and passenger ship and the discrimination of those vessels detected by the radar that are not equipped with the AIS transponder, such as fishing boats, pleasure craft or dinghies.

Fully Integrated Data Management System

Multi-sensor search systems, including a modern data management system, multiply the efficiency of stand-alone search sensors, provide better search capability, and reduce response time. Our fully integrated, mature and proven data management system, in service with twelve operators, integrates the search sensors and provides interfaces with the aircraft navigation and communications equipment.

The data management system manages aircraft navigation through the creation of search pattern, guiding the aircraft to emergency locator signals. As well, the data management system provides interfaces with the communication system, enabling data exchange with other search assets or the Joint Rescue Coordination Center. Radio or Satcom equipment allows the exchange of data, text, images or video gathered by the EO/IR sensor or the camera.

Generating a tactical situation picture over digital maps, which can include elevation information suitable for land searches, the system also presents geographical information of relevant data from radar, EO/IR and AIS, and generates aircraft guidance by transferring waypoints to the navigation equipment, e.g., flight plans, direction-to point, or search patterns.

It is complemented by ground stations which facilitate mission preparation, real-time monitoring and mission replay and analysis. Most of these functions can be conducted over portable devices that are used during temporary deployments away from the Main Operating Base.

Pollution control

A Spanish SASEMAR CN-235 equipped with a side looking airborne radar SLAR for long-range detection of oil spills and detailed analysis.

 The pollution control system – including side-looking airborne radar, microwave radiometer and laser-fluor sensor – can be installed on the C-295.