Oshkosh to Launch Special Operations SandCat Armored Vehicle at DVD

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Jun 19, 2009

Oshkosh Defense is unveiling a Special Operations Vehicle (SOV) configuration of the SandCat at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) 2009 taking place at the Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire, U.K. next week. The vehicle was designed specifically for the emerging requirements of international special forces units that need an open, highly mobile and well-protected vehicle for operations in remote locations.

The variant is the latest addition to the SandCat family and is based on the same lightweight, high-performance and well-protected platform. The vehicle has an integrated, customizable and replaceable survivability system that can match specific mobility requirements. Protection features include a high-energy absorbing belly deflector, ballistic steel roof, collapsible seat base and suspended seats. Armor sections made from metal composites provide protection from multiple hits and are integrated into the vehicle’s design to allow for a higher payload capacity than a standard vehicle its size. The armor suite was designed and manufactured by Plasan North America, which developed the armor systems in use on the Oshkosh Armored Cab Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) and more than 5,000 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

According to Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense, the SandCat SOV was built around commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components to maximize ease of maintenance and repairs globally. As with other Oshkosh SandCat vehicles, the SOV’s survivability features can be adjusted to meet the payload needs and threat levels of specific missions. Available in utility and transport variants, which can carry four to eight people respectively, SandCat vehicles boast a 242-kilowatt (325-horsepower) engine, a maximum speed greater than 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour) and exceptional maneuverability. They were designed to meet the international market’s needs for numerous operations, including peacekeeping, homeland security, military, law enforcement, disaster aid and security.

The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ Office of Aviation (INL/A)

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Jun 18, 2009

The U.S. State Department through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ Office of Aviation (INL/A) is responsible for the curtailment of the supply of illegal drugs from foreign sources into the United States through aerial eradication of drug crops, interdiction of refining laboratories and trafficking activities, and other enforcement operations as directed by the Secretary of State. The Bureau’s “air wing” operates 348 fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, involved in INL counter-narcotics aviation programs in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Operations are conducted with close cooperation with host nations U.S. Embassy Narcotics Affairs Sections and the Host Government police and military organizations, conducting training and support local operational activities.

LIght attack aircraft are already operational and have been used in combat in Latin America, as seen in this 2007 video clip, showing what looks like a coordinated pursuit by a ‘host nation’ EMB-314 Tucano, (could be Columbian, Peruvian,or from Guatemala – all are countries the U.S. actively suports in counter-narcotics programs) guided by a U.S. surveillance aircraft, hunting a twin-engine Cessna KIng Air on a drug interdiction mission near the Columbian border.

INL’s Air Wing has recently established an aviation support element in Guatemala, operating four Huey-II helicopters. The helicopters are staffed by Guatemalan Air Force aviators and technical personnel and supported by INL Air Wing technical advisors. The mission of the Aviation Support Project (ASP) is to provide dedicated air support for law enforcement operations, including “take-downs” on suspected trafficker aircraft, raids on transshipment points or clandestine runways, serving warrants, supporting ground interdiction operations, and providing support to ground eradication operations. The ASP recently completed its first two-week deployment to the Peten in support of JIATF-South’s Operation Central Skies II. During this operation, the ASP is on standby to fly a team that provides the end game for intercepted drug planes after they land.

INL’s fleet consists of 348 including OV-10, AT-802, T-65, and C-27 fixed wing aircraft and Hueys, Blackhawk and K-Max helicopters. About half of the fleet is operating from Colombia and the rest is in Bolivia, Peru, Pakistan and Afghanistan. While INL ir Wing controls air assets used for eradication, interdiction and security, actual operations and support are provided by DynCorp International, as a contractor for the U.S. government. One of the largest operators in this shadow war is the Colombian Air Force’s Air Bridge Denial (ABD) Program using ground and aerial detection assets, including aircraft and radar, to surveil and monitor Colombian air space. ABD seeks to determine whether certain, suspicious aircraft could be primarily engaged in illicit drug trafficking. ABD intercepts the suspicious aircraft and contributes to the capture and destruction of aircraft found to be used in narcotics trafficking.

Lethal Crop Dusters

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Jun 18, 2009

U.S. and international air forces are becoming interested and open to utilizing off-the-shelf equipment in low-intensity, counter-insurgency and counter-drug operations in remote areas.

The U.S. Navy is already evaluating an armed version of Embraer’s EMB-314 Super Tucano under a classified evaluation program known as ‘Imminent Fury’. The Navy is currently evaluating a single aircraft and is seeking a budget of $44 million to embark on a larger program. The Special Operations Command, Air Force and US Marine Corps are also interested in employing off the shelf assets for low-intensity Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and rapid target engagement. Armed Super Tucanos are currently operated by Brazil, Columbia, and the Dominican. Super Tucano can carry 1.5 tons of weapons, and can stay on a mission up to 6.5 hours.

At the Paris Air Show, Texas based Air Tractor Inc, a designer and builder of tough crop dusters, is unveiling their new Air Truck AT-802U – a two-seat armored, armed and protected aircraft designed to support special operations units from forward locations. The Air Truck is tough. Its engine, cockpit and belly are armored and capable of take small-arms fire, the fuel tanks in the wings are fitted with self-sealing material to stop hazardous leaks. The landing gear employs a flexible mount capable of absorbing rough landings. The cockpit is fitted with a roll cage, and airbag integrated harness, protecting the crew in case of crash landings.

According to Lee G. Jackson, design engineer at Air Tractor, armored counter-drug crop dusters have are already proven themselves in operations overseas, with several aircraft lost in crash landings, with the crew walking away unhurt. The aircraft is also protected by military grade electronic countermeasures, detecting and alerting on missile attacks, automatically deploying flare decoys to divert such missiles. Air Truck can haul up to 8,000 pounds of payload, including bombs, rockets, minigun pods or guided weapons. Currently, it has three hardpoints on each wing and three additional hardpoints under the the fuselage. Given customer requirements, each wing can be fitted with six hardpoints, used primarily for guided weapons such as Hellfire or smaller guided bombs. The aircraft is fitted with a stabilized, electro-optical (EOIR) payload mounted below the engine. Video images can be monitored in the cockpit and relayed to users on the ground, or other airborne platforms. Additional sensors can be carried as well, including specialized payloads capable of detecting specific biochemical signatures (multi-spectral sensors or foliage penetrating radars).

The aircraft is also provided with the ‘Hopper Bay’, a large cargo bay, located ahead of the cockpit where people, fuel or supplies are carried. The bay also accommodates an extra fuel tank extending the aircraft mission endurance to 10 hours. Air Truck has an oxygen system supporting the crew in high elevations. This capability was realized essential operating in the Andes, where teams had to pass high mountain ranges en route to targets located in the valleys. The Columbian and U.S. governments are already operating the crop-duster version of the aircraft. In addition, foreign air forces have expressed interest in the aircraft, as low-cost solution for low-intensity operations.

16/07/2010 UPDATE:

At the Farnborough International 2010 Airshow the aircraft is displayed with a militarized cockpit, Wescam MX15Di stabilized EO sensor turret, integrated with large HD displays and the all-new glass cockpit. Real-time video can be transmitted directly to ground units using the L3 Rover datalink.

Unlike other surveillance aircraft, the Air Tractor was built to be operated from farm fields and dirt roads, and maintained out of the back of a truck. It has the capability to reduce the cost and footprint of military operations while bringing state-of-the-art sensors and weapons to remote and austere locations. The exceptional 10-hour time on station of the Air Tractor and the massive 8,000-pound useful load allow the aircraft to carry a wide range of sensors and weapons.

Five optional weapons load out configurations, including four 500 or 1,000 pounds laser guided bombs and two GAU-19 multi-barrel 12.7mm guns with over 2,900 rounds, six Mini-Talon GPS-INS guided precision standoff attack weapons, four rocket pods loaded with 28 rockets, eight Hellfire missiles or a mixed load of four Hellfire and 16 DAGR laser guided rockets.

Unmanned Assets Could Save 75% of Cost of Anti-Piracy Operations

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Jun 18, 2009

As unmanned systems technologies mature, modern armies are realizing that the integration of autonomous systems could gain considerable saving over time, particularly important are the saving in personnel costs, as the military is finding it harder to find and maintain quality personnel. According to Gene Fraser, vice president and deputy, Strike and Surveillance Systems Division, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, operational tempo has increased the pressure on personnel with average cost per person almost doubled, compared to a decade ago. “The use of autonomous unmanned systems, integrated into the operational network could compensate for the costs and shortage of high quality personnel, while improving mission capability.” Fraser noted, for example, the manned-unmanned teaming of P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and unmanned Broad Area Maritime Surveillance BAMS, reduced the number of aerial platforms required by the Navy, from 229 manned P-8s to 176 platforms – 108 plus 68 unmanned BAMS Global Hawks. The reduction in platforms, will also contribute to lower life cycle cost over 20 years, from 70 billion to 40 billion. However the total flight hours to be flown will increase from 98,000 to 101,000.

Fraser’s team conducted a simulation of an operational mission to thwart piracy in the Western Indian Ocean. “To secure this area, the naval task force requires numerous surface vessels, helicopters and aircraft to cover a 480,000 square nautical miles of sea. A fleet of 20 surface vessels, with associated air assets are participating in the mission to search, identify and track potential threats. These vessels are carrying 20 SH-60 helicopters, with a full squadron of P-3, all manned by 6,900 sailors and airmen, the task force can cover merely 20% of the entire area at an operational cost of $7.2 million per day (of which 20% are personnel.) Employing a single detachment of BAMS UAVs, a future force will be able to cover 100% of the area with only 7 vessels, each carrying two FireScout UAVs and one SH-60, at an operational costs of $1.7 million per day (of which about 25% are personnel costs.) “We have the resident expertise to build common mission planning and operating architectures to link and network multiple UAS, air, land and sea” said Fraser.

IAI Introduces New Medium Laser Guided Weapon

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Jun 18, 2009

IAI/MBT is unveiling here the MLGB, – Medium Laser Guided Bomb, offering dual-mode guidance employing GPS and terminal laser guidance. The weapon comprising an 80 kg warhead offers pinpoint accuracy under all weather conditions. The MLGB kit employs the warhead, terminal seeker and guidance system, attached to a wing assembly that retracts after release. Despite the relatively small warhead, MLGB is well capable of performing precision attack and close air support, while minimizing risk to friendly forces and collateral damage. It can effectively strike buildings, bunkers and moving or stationary ‘time critical targets’. The key to such improved performance is the weapon’s ‘trajectory shaping’ capability, enabling mission planners to carefully plan the flight profile, target approach and impact angle of the weapon.

According to IAI the weapon can be employed from various types of aerial vehicles. While IAI introduces the new weapon, sales of the larger Griffin 3, Next Generation Laser Guided Bomb (NGLGB) Kits continue, the company recently received orders for the kits worth tens of millions of dollars.

The GRIFFIN System provides much better hit accuracy than previous generation kits, even in high wind conditions or when aiming for a moving target. GRIFFIN 3 also offers trajectory shaping capability, which, when used with a penetration warhead, is integral to achieving maximum penetration. (Griffin 3 is seen in the photos below)

Griffin 3 new generation laser guided bomb demonstrate accurate hit within a 1 meter CEP. Photo: IAI

Grifin 3 precision laser guidance kit attached to a 1000 lb bomb. Photo: IAI

Northrop Grumman Displays BAMS Modelled Global-Hawk

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Jun 18, 2009

The Global Hawk model displayed at the Paris Airshow on Tuesday was reconfigured overnight to represent the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance RQ-8N platform, selected by the U.S. Navy to be integrated with P-8 Poseidon manner maritime surveillance aircraft to replace current P-3 Orion aircraft.

The RQ-4N is scheduled to go through Functional Review this month, to be followed by Preliminary Design Review in December. First flight is scheduled for May 2012 with initial operational capability of a single unit supporting a single persistent orbit following two years later.

Full operational capability will be achieved when the Navy is able to support continuous orbits for worldwide access from five simultaneous threats. According to US Navy committed to Carl Johnson, Vice president at Northrop Grumman and program manager for BAMS, the aircraft employs some modifications to the baseline Block 30 Global Hawk, including deicing systems in the engine nacelle, wing and tail leading edges.

Two common datalinks (CDl) terminals are located at the lower tail, comprising two 9 inch Ku and X band terminals to link with lower flying aircraft and surface vessels. The SATCOM radome accommodates the satellite data link, operating in Ka and X bands. The aircraft is fitted with due regard radar facilitating safe separation and support future requirements to operation in controlled airspace. The Multi-Function Active Sensor (MFAS) AESA rotating radar and high performance MTS-B electro-optical payload, comprising the basic Maritime ISR sensor suite.

To accommodate the radar, RQ-4N employs raised landing gear to elevate the fuselage, clearing the belly mounted MFAS radar. The aircraft will also be equipped with an automatic identification system, providing cooperative identification of friendly vessels, based on transponder interrogation. According to Johnson, AIS will significantly reduce the workload to identify many unknown targets. In addition to supporting the platform and primary payloads, the U.S. Navy has already committed to both communications Relay and the Merlin electronic support measures to be implemented in follow on Increments.

Israeli Unmanned Helicopters and Urban Mules at the Paris Air Show

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Jun 17, 2009

A new Vertical Take-off and landing UAV (VTUAV) making its debut here is the MULE, developed by Urban Aeronautics. MULE introduces a revolutionary capability for battlefield logistics ‘push’ and casualties evacuation, supporting land forces and amphibious operations. The MULE, expected to begin flight testing this year, employs the Fancraft louvered ducted fan lift and propulsion system, sustaining a maximum takeoff weight of 1.13 ton platform lifting a useful cargo of up to 226 kg and fuel for missions of 2-4 hours at speeds up to 100 knots. The Picador, also unveiled here is developed by Aeronautics Defense Systems. This small unmanned helicopter is a designed for naval and land-based applications. The Picador can carry multiple payloads up to 180kg in weight on missions of 5-8 hours at a range of 200 kilometers. Another VTUAV development currently underway at IAI is the Naval Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (NRUAV). Modified with a full suite of automatic flight and mission control system, NRUAV will be able to deploy autonomously from the ship deck, on missions of up to 6 hours, at distances of 120 km from the launching vessel. The unmanned helicopter will function like an ‘elevated mast’ extending the vessel’s coverage over a much larger area, providing early warning and detection of aircraft, and cruise missiles, surface vessels and even subsurface activity.

Israel Displays new Small UAVs at the Paris Air Show

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Jun 17, 2009

Aeronautics will also be showing several versions of the Orbiter, an electrically powered Orbiter MUAV measures about one meter in length and sustains an operational endurance of up to 4.5 hours, utilizing enhanced wing extensions. A larger configuration currently in development will have mission endurance of 7 hours, carrying the new T-STAMP multi-sensor payload developed by Controp. The Orbiter is designed for operating at altitudes up to 18,000 feet. The company has recently announced a teaming agreement with US based AAI Corporation, (an operating unit of Textron Systems), to market the Orbiter Mini-UAV (unmanned air vehicle) system jointly to U.S. and select international customers, including Israel, under foreign military sales. Among the smallest Israeli micro UAVs making their debut at the Paris Air Show is the Micro-Falcon I, designed for carrying and operation by a single operator. Weighing 6 kg, MicroFalcon on display here carries the MicroBat 275 electro-optical payload developed by Bental Industries.

Israeli Medium Altitude, Long Endurance Platforms at the paris Air Show

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Jun 17, 2009

Two Israeli companies are showing MALE (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance Platforms) UAVs. Israel Aerospace Industries is displaying the Heron TP, currently being evaluated by a number of European countries for strategic ISR roles. Heron TP is the largest UAV built in Israel to date. With maximum takeoff weight of 4650 kg, the 14 meter long aircraft is designed to operate at altitude of 40,000 ft and carry over 1,000 kg of mission payload sensors. The aircraft is equipped with multiple datalinks, supporting line-of-sight (LOS) and satellite communications. Aeronautics Defense Systems is unveiling the twin-engine ‘Terminator II’ long endurance UAV that can carry payloads up to 400 kg weight, based on an unmanned version of the D42 custom built by the Austrian Diamond Aircraft company. The 1.785 ton twin-engine unmanned aircraft is designed for maximum operational ceiling of +30,000 ft. and mission endurance of 28 hours. It is equipped with triple redundant avionics, line of sight and satellite communications systems. The unmanned D42 is fitted with four different cameras providing remote operators and pilots full situational awareness.

Several companies are unveiling here systems developed for these MALE UAVs – RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems is introducing a new reconnaissance payload designed for UAV, providing highly detailed, wide area coverage in visual and Infra-Red (IR) spectral bands. Carried by MALE UAVs, such as Heron TP, Reaper, Heron or Predator, Rafael’s RECCE-U payload can operate simultaneously and independently of the platform’s other payloads, enabling operators to increase UAV mission utility without increasing sortie rate. The platform is certified for flight under all weather conditions. RADA is unveiling at the airshow a new family of UAV avionic systems, designed for small, medium and large UAVs. The company displays its distributed avionics architecture, comprising engine and payload interface controllers, electrical power management and engine control units, supporting comprehensive and scalable UAV applications. RADA is also introducing the MAVINS, its latest ‘All-in-one Modular Avionics and INS’ (MAVINS) weighing only one kilogram, and designed for small and compact platforms.

Hermse 450B (Watchkeeper) – Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 is the mainstay of Israel’s Defense Forces UAV force. The same model is currently supporting British forces in Afghanistan. The British forces will also employ a modified version known as Watchkeeper, developed in cooperation with Thales UK. A new member of the Hermes family of UAVs is making debut at the exhibition. Hermes 90 is designed for close-range class UAV system, supporting tactical, mobile land forces with real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance services in day or night as well as under restricted weather conditions. The Hermes 90 uses the new MicroCompass multi-sensor payload developed by Elbit Systems.

Elbit Systems Unveils Hermes-90 at the Paris Airshow

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Jun 17, 2009

Elbit Systems Ltd. unveiled today its newest UAV,Hermes-90. Among the main features of the Hermes-90 are high survivability, long endurance of up to 18 hours, mission range of up to 100 kilometers, and varied payloads integration capability. Equiped with wheels or sleds, the unmanned aircraft can be launched and recovered using different methods, including launching by an integral launcher for point launch and recovery on non-prepared surfaces without using any dedicated ground equipment. The compact and lightweight system can be carried onboard two tactical utility vehicles and is operated by a two or three-person crew. The system includes an advanced Ground Control Station (GCS) for monitoring and controlling the mission, mounted onboard one of the field class vehicles.

The system enables full integration with any C4I system, for fast imagery dissemination as well as easy coordination among the operational forces in the field. The UAV accommodates the MicroCoMPASS, a new type of lightweight multi-sensor payload, developed at Elbit Systems. It comprises a color CCD day camera, 3rd generation cooled thermal imaging system and a laser marker. Micro CoMPASS electro-optic payload can also include a laser range finder or a laser designator.

U.S. Southern Command Evaluates the role of UAVs in Counter Drug Operations

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Jun 15, 2009

U.S. agencies operating along with Salvadoran authorities are evaluating the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of the Joint Interagency Task Force-South, a SOUTHCOM component based in Key West and charged with overseeing counter illicit trafficking operations in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

In May 2009 the task force evaluated how a UAV can be inserted and utilized for its missions. As part of Operation Monitoreo the task force operated a Heron MALE UAV provided by Israel Aerospace Industries’ subsidiary Stark Aerospace and Raytheon. Other regional UAV trials currently planned, include the use of AeroVironment Aqua Wasp and Puma All Environment water-recoverable small, unmanned aircraft during the upcoming Panamax 2009 multinational exercise. The Navy also intends to deploy the Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout shipborne vertical-takeoff-and-landing UAS to the region later this year. US Special Operations Command will deploy Boeing A-160T helicopters equipped with Forester foliage-penetration radar, attempting to locate drug laboratories through the rain forest canopy.

During the recent evaluation the Heron flew 10 sorties accumulating over 100 flight hours. None of the missions that Heron flew resulted in a drug bust, although the UAV did investigate suspected targets. The aircraft and its support crew occasionally worked cooperatively with manned platforms supporting the same mission. Heron was used to investigate suspected targets spotted by E-2C Hawkeyes operating from the CSL, and in one instance, the UAV even handed over a suspected target to Salvadoran Cessna-337 patrol aircraft for further monitoring.

The information recorded during the evaluation will be included in a final assessment and available to SOUTHCOM, Defense Department and other U.S. interagency decision makers, considering the use of UAVs to support future U.S.-led counter drug air operations in the SOUTHCOM area of focus. The Heron employs advanced sensors commonly found in maritime surveillance aircraft including, a multi-mode radar, infrared and electro-optical surveillance payloads, automatic vessel identification system (AIS), and satellite communications datalink. The aircraft can also operate SIGINT equipment to locate and track wireless communications devices. These capabilities are comparable, or even surpass those maintained by the various manned aircraft currently supporting counter drug operations in the region, including the E-2 Hawkeye, P-3 Orion, HC-130 Hercules and E-3 Sentry.

The task force is operating from forward bases in the region, known as ‘cooperative security location’ (CSL) – also known as a forward operating location (FOL) – responsible for overseeing U.S. counter drug air operations in the Central American region. In 2008, working with El Salvador and other regional partners, the CSL directly contributed to the seizure of 80 metric tons of illicit drugs in the Central American region. As of April 24, the CSL has also contributed to 83 metric tons interdiction in 2009 by Joint Interagency Task Force-South, a SOUTHCOM component based in Key West and charged with overseeing counter illicit trafficking operations in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Stealthy, Persistent, Perch and Stare Air Vehicle System (SP2S)

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Jun 14, 2009

AeroVironment, Inc. has been awarded a $5 million contract to develop a Stealthy, Persistent, Perch and Stare Air Vehicle System (SP2S) under a DARPA program. This small, stealthy UAV will be designed for close-range surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The basic platform will also combine the mission-adaptable perch-and-stare observation modes. DARPA has already received five early model SP2S vehicles used for initial military user evaluation (LTE). In the current phase, 10 additional systems will be delivered.

Israel Air Force to Deploy a New Video Recorder & Data Server from RADA

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Jun 14, 2009

RADA is unveiling the latest mission data recorder model developed by the company and selected to equip the Israel Air Force first line fighters – the Video Recorder & Data Server System (VRDS), introducing cutting edge approach to video and data recording and mass-storage management onboard combat aerial platforms. RADA’s VRDS has been accepted as the sole source for flight recorders for the vast majority of the Israel Air Force aircraft. The systems are currently being integrated on F-15 models A/B/C/D/I, F-16 models C/D/I, C-130, T-6, and more. Production deliveries will begin later this year. The new system has more memory capacity, more processing power, Gigabit Ethernet channels support and enhanced functionality. With more powerful processing supporting highly efficient video compression (MPEG-4/H.264), VRDS also supports a wide range of services beyond mission data recording. These include functions of an avionic Data Server and the traditional Data Transfer Equipment (DTE). The system also supports data encryption provisions, employing a data cassette with autonomous secure erase capabilities.

IAI/Elta has unveiles TASCAN targeting pod

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Jun 14, 2009

IAI/Elta has unveiled the TASCAN Electro-Optical targeting pod for fighter aircraft, thereby complementing its EL/M-20600 Radar Targeting Pod (RTP) which uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for that purpose. Sofar Elta’s RTP has been offered along with the Litening EO targeting pod produced by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. IAI’s pursuit of an independent program could mark a departure from this cooperation. The TASCAN is slightly longer, compared to the Litening, comprising the new EO outfit provided by IAI/Tamam. According to IAI sources, the new targeting pod employs the latest in EO/IR technology, and uses a gimbaled platform carrying the EO sensors. The TASCAN sibling, RTP comprises SAR/MTI radar design, relying on a radar transceiver operating in the Ku Band. Inter-pod cooperation is possible, in which for wide area search, the RTP is employed in either SAR or Moving Target Indicator (MTI) mode, and as potential targets are spotted, the RTP queues the EO pod for investigation and target acquisition. The SAR can also provide targeting data under no-visibility conditions.

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16/07/2010 UPDATE:

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