Not all battles are fought on a sunny afternoon or in a well-lit building. Most battlefield situations are quite the opposite. Operations are carried out in bad weather, night-time or in pitch black buildings. Modern soldiers need enhanced capabilities to be able to operate efficiently and safely in these conditions and these situations require imaging and sensor technology and devices specifically designed for these scenarios.
Accurate target acquisition and operation communication
In some circumstances the thermal imager is capable of seeing things that are not visible for detectors in visual spectral range. For example, smoke can block the visibility to the naked eye or to a visual spectrum camera, but a thermal imager can see through the smoke. On the other hand, there are situations where thermal imager cannot see, while visual spectrum camera can. For example, thermal imager cannot see through windows. The glass acts like a mirror for the thermal imager. To ensure maximum operational capabilities, all Senop thermal imagers also have optical day channels/daylight camera for situations where that daylight camera is a better option. Senop LILLY is one of these solutions.
Senop LILLY forms a thermal image from detected infrared energy, while the day channel works essentially as a regular binocular. The thermal imaging sensor measures the emitted heat energy (infrared radiation) from an object, e.g. armored vehicle or a person. The infrared radiation is easily detected and analyzed by the device and valuable information provided for the operator. Thermal imagers detect very small temperature differences. A thermal image is formed from the temperature differences in the image. The Senop LILLY user can operate in total darkness.
Smart Sights – Enabling effective performance in compact devices
Another device with both, day- and thermal camera capabilities is the smart-sight Senop AFCD TI. Designed for the Carl-Gustav M3/M4, the AFCD TI is a powerful and compact addition to the weapon system. With ballistic calculation for a wide range of different ammunition types, uncooled thermal imager, an optically magnifying day channel and target tracking, the smart-sight substantially increases the first-hit probability when engaging a target. These features must also be manageable for the operators and ease of use is essential for equipment used is stressful situations. The easy-to-use electrical and mechanical UIs in the AFCD TI help the operators to focus on the task at hand, and not on using the device.
Having a weapon like the CG M4 in squad-level use is very powerful. Widening the using condition from only day light to bad weather conditions and night-time usage, makes the best use of the weapon system. Even when engaging the target is not an option, the AFCD TI still works excellently as a reconnaissance and scouting tool and due to its light weight, it can be carried effortlessly.
Senop will be showcasing both of these solutions at the DSEI 2023 exhibition in London on 12-15 of September 2023.