News from Shepard’s (read more at the link) this afternoon that the MoD has selected the Sagem Sagem JIM LR (Long Range) Multifunction Infrared Binocular for the Long Range Thermal Imager Programme.
Read more at Sagem here
Think DefenceUK Defence Issues and the odd container or two
Nic bit of kit, now everyone can pretend to by Luke Skywalker on Tatooine
Interesting to note that they can record to a device via USB, does that mean laptops, or just external harddrives? Also, I wonder how long the batteries last, and if they’re still usable without (though obviously without the II and Rangefinder functions).
Oh, and can the laserpointer be used to designate targets, or is it just good for setting off the DAS suite on enemy MBTS?
Wonder how many AA sized does it need?
With 4 hrs lifespan, you’d need to assume 18 battery changes for a 3 day mission, 36 for a week long. If it’s 4 per 4hrs, that would be 72 batteries/3 days or 18 packs of 4.
Nothing against AA sized, just that we seem to be lugging a LOT of them all over the place.
I doubt it’ll be AA, the weight mentions minus battery. They wouldn’t do that if it were, even several AA weigh very little.
Edit it says battery, I take to mean one probably one built for it.
So you would need 18 battery packs for a 3 day mission.
I see it comes with a battery charger. Pity a fireteam doesn’t come with a wall socket.
That figure is greater than/equal to 4 hours, which means 4 hours constant use, I’m pretty sure a fireteam isn’t going to spend 4 hours watching something in one sitting.
I’d like to see a comparison to the JTAC-LTD/Elbit Director-M (USMC rangefinder/designator/thermal optic)
Looks good, agree with Grey, the comparison would be interesting. With regard to battery life, does anyone know if the army has trialed motion-powered chargers:
http://www.npowerpeg.com/
Then your fireteam would essentially come with a wall socket
Not sure if these devices are mature enough to provide meaningful amounts of power.
Thanks
@Grey
I know it’s constant use, but when planning for missions, you have to assume max usage. Unfortunately. Be glad it isn’t AA. A pair of Night Vision goggles and bino already takes up 144 of them.
The 4 hr thingy seems to be a standard of some sort, a lot of other military electronics I have seen seem to also quote “4hrs” for power usage. Wonder if it’s an industry thing.
JIMLR Is an awesome bit of kit, a bit bulky when you take it ”FOXTROT” (dismounted) I had about 4 hrs use per battery and would generaly take out 6 batts when deployed away from tmy FOB.