The observation system used on the new RAF Regiment Praetorian vehicles and the Mastiff talisman command vehicle is the Thales ROTOS, or Remotely Operated Thermal Observation Sight
This is a lift from the Thales brochure;
Thales has developed a state of the art observation system capable of providing surveillance and reconnaissance information to the crew of an Armoured Fighting Vehicle. ROTOS features the latest high performance sensors to be integrated on a platform for advanced surveillance and observation mission.
With extensive experience in vehicle integration, Thales has the ability to develop unique solutions made up from a large variety of sensors to meet specific customer requests. Its modular and flexible design makes it suitable for integration on all types of platform, from Protected Patrol Vehicles (PPVs) to Main Battle Tanks (MBTs).
What is perhaps a little less well known is the positioning mechanism and control system is from the small UK defence manufacturer, Chess Dynamics.
The Cobra positioning platform (click to view)
[browser-shot width=”500″ url=”http://www.chess-dynamics.com/products/cobra-electro-optical-platform.html”]Chess Dynamics also make products for the Royal Navy…
[browser-shot width=”500″ url=”http://www.chess-dynamics.com/products/naval-iota-electro-optical-director.html”]ROTOS and the Cobra platform has also been seen on the Jackal ISTAR variant
“The dog’s bollocks of cameras on sticks”
(Truth in advertising campaign, Gloomy Northern Branch)
Its also the observation system on Mastiff within the Talisman route clearing system. It is also uses the same basic thermal sensor as the Orion sight that is being installed in FRES-Scout. Assuming is survives the post 2015 defence cuts David Cameron alluded to today and which I predicted 2 years ago.
Am a big fan of elevating mast observation packages, was surprised that FRES Scout doesn’t have one given they were on TRACER
Good to see you back Bob
TD,
I agree entirely, the obvious omission from the otherwise fantastic Scout package is an elevating sensor mast with both an EO and RF sensor (Thales MSTAR is currently used for both fixed site surveillance and mobile artillery observation in both handheld and Warrior FV514 configurations). In fact I would go further, Scout should replace FV514 as well as the current recce vehicles as a combined scouting, artillery observation and forward air control platform. At a base level all three roles are dependent on armoured vehicle mounted sensors and comms.
As TD says, good to see yuo back Bob
While we are in violent agreement about “both an EO and RF sensor (Thales MSTAR is currently used for both fixed site surveillance and mobile artillery observation in both handheld and Warrior FV514 configurations). In fact I would go further, Scout should replace FV514 as well as the current recce vehicles as a combined scouting, artillery observation and forward air control platform”, you will have (probably) included the explanation as well in those words.
I.e. the SV Scout numbers will be so small in the initial order that the FV514 will hang on in its role for a long while. Despite the fact that its own modernisation plan has not been funded (any late developments on this?) and to fit everything in that is needed (with the old bulky stuff still in place) and to be effective, the RA needs them to work in pairs, with differing retrofits.
– not that there wouldn’t be enough of them to go around (as arty formations are reducing so drastically), but still a bit silly and makes a big dent in the manpower that could be utilised better – the next commentator is going to point to improved resilience…yep, there is always something good about every solution
ACC,
Of course, as I mentioned earlier budget here is the major problem. The reason I like the idea of a universal targeting and recce vehicle is that with WAH-64D, Typhoon/JSF with SPEAR and GMLRS the UK is developing incredible close support capability and such a platform could be a key enabler for bringing it to bare.
However, the finance thing would set me off on an uncontrollable rant about the Army’s inability to manage a major land-system procurement programme.