Airborne Imaging in 2011

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SPECIAL REPORT

AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011


ELECTRO-OPTICAL INFRA-RED

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

CURRENT THINKING, STRATEGIC ANALYSIS & MARKET EVOLUTION

Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems

For every platform, one powerful advantage.


Raytheon Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems deliver superior ISR and targeting capabilities at an unbeatable value. With more than one million operational ight hours to date, Raytheons family of MTS sensors equip manned and unmanned aircraft with combat-proven mission capabilities. Interchangeable, survivable and made adaptable for any platform, MTS provides superior detecting, ranging, and tracking for military, national and civil missions worldwide.

INNOVATION IN ALL DOMAINS Visit www.raytheon.com Keyword: MTS1


2011 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved. Customer Success Is Our Mission is a registered trademark of Raytheon Company.

FOREWORD

FOREWORD
Quality intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) has unquestionably become a prized capability in the current counterinsurgency environment in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the adversary cam move quickly and in small numbers, blend in with the local population, and adjust tactics quickly to exploit US weaknesses. The former head of US Air Force intelligence, Lieutenant General David Deptula, put it succinctly in a Winter 2010 Air and Space Power Journal article when he and a colleague wrote amateurs do continue to talk about strategy, but professionals increasingly talk about information how to get it, use it, and keep getting it, given the speed, complexity, and character of the challenges faced by our forces abroad and our domestic security organizations at home. This demand for high-delity ISR at the strategic, operational and tactical levels has driven an unprecedented revolution in sensor technology. Since the 2002 US-led invasion of Iraq, defence contractors in America and abroad have scrambled to produce increasingly sophisticated airborne ISR payloads that can operate multiple cameras, use lasers to designate targets, and transmit imagery and coordinates to ground forces in near real-time. Strapped to manned aircraft or aerial drones, these multispectral sensors operate in multiple modes usually with both day (electro-optical camera) and night (infrared camera) capability to provide ground forces critical, time-sensitive information about the insurgent hiding around the corner or entering a town by vehicle. Both sensor types are typically equipped with high-magnication optical lenses that may provide zoom capability. They may also have laser rangenders or designator/rangenders to help identify targets. Demand for these airborne, multi-spectral sensors skyrocketed after the 2002 invasion of Afghanistan. The head of Raytheons surveillance targeting systems product line, Andy Bonnot, recalls that US military demand for airborne ISR was so urgent that the company found itself lling orders in just 90 days. Since then, US and coalition forces requirements have only grown, with Raytheon, for example, delivering over 100 ISR systems by the summer of 2005, and ve years later, in 2010, hitting the one thousand mark. These airborne, multi-spectral sensors are frequently packaged into a turret, which is a mounting for sensor payloads that is gyro-stabilised to ensure the delivery of clear images despite aircraft vibrations. These turrets can be mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, xed wing aircraft and even aerostats. Overtime, as sensors have decreased in size and increased in resolution, more and more can be packed into one turret. Wide Area Airborne Surveillance (WAAS) systems, which are now being developed by both the US Air Force and US Army, can have as many as nine sensors packaged on the turret. Sierra Nevada Corporations Gorgon Stare payload, for example, houses ve EO cameras and four IR cameras. Turret stabilisation technology also has been rened in recent years, with the most common conguration becoming a fouraxis set of two gyro-stabilised gimbals. In addition, image resolution improved with the advent of high-denition (HD) TV. Both electro-optical (Charged Coupled Device TV) and infrared (thermal imaging) cameras have benetted from HD technology, which increases the number of pixels in a sensors array to improve image resolution. In particular, focal plane arrays have evolved from a 320 x 240 format to 640 x 480 pixels, and now, HD array formats of 1,920 1,080 pixels, as is the case with the miniature 1080p HD camera in L-3 Wescams MX-15HDI sensor turret. Thermal sensors in particular have undergone some signicant improvements in recent years, both in terms of the materials from which they are made and the process by which they operate. Most sensor turrets incorporate staring focal plane array (FPA) thermal imagers, which often operate in either the mid-wave infrared (MWIR 3-5 m) or long-wave infrared (LWIR - 8-12 m) spectral ranges, depending on the mission set. One common thermal imager material is mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), which requires cryogenic cooling to enhance its thermal sensitivity. Cooled systems have been around a long time, but uncooled sensors have also made strides in recent years. The advantage of uncooled infrared detectors is that they are lighter and may have a smaller logistics burden, since they dont require the tubes, wires, and other components necessary for cooling. The trade-off is that they may

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

have a reduced thermal sensitivity without cooling, and therefore need more sensitive optics. Airborne multi-spectral sensors also benet from ever-improving image processing software. Various software algorithms can be employed to enhance image resolution. GPS/ INS systems can be integrated with the sensors to allow for geo-location tagging of images, meaning one can reference the image on a local map. The GPS/INS systems also can be used to help sensors continuously track targets. All of this imagery can be transferred via data link to operators with access to displays available at ground stations, inside ships, at air operations centres, and distributed ground stations, and on tactical hand-held systems like the Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) and the One System Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT). Some of the most common airborne multi-spectral sensors in theatre today are Raytheons Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems (MTS) series. The Navy uses the MTS-A, designated the AN/AAS-44C, onboard its HH/MH-60 Seahawk helicopters. The US Air Force uses the MTS-A, designated the AN/ AAS-52, on its MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft, as well as the MTS-B, designated AN/DAS-1 on its MQ-9 Reaper aerial drone. Also part of the MTS family is the AN/ZSQ-2 (V) turret used on helicopters of the US Special Operations Command. Another widely used sensor is L-3 Wescams MX-15, a midsize sensor with a 394 mm diameter, along with the larger MX-20 (530 mm diameter) and the smaller MX-10 (260 mm diameter). The MX-15Di is equipped onboard the USAFs MC-12W Project Liberty xed wing aircraft. As the quality and availability of airborne, multispectral sensors continues to improve, the amount of imagery available to warghters is also growing. While the demand for ISR appears to be insatiable on the battleeld, the warghters ability to digest all the information is limited by the manpower available to process it all. As a result, both American defence contractors and the US military are paying more attention to improving data management through autonomous systems. To reduce information overload, companies are seeking to increase the autonomy of airborne, multi-spectral sensors. This concept allows developing technology that can select the most useful change information and send it down to the operator, rather than sending down hours of video in which nothing of much use or interest is occurring. For example, a UAV equipped with
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a multispectral sensor to monitoring a village would not send down hours of video feed, but instead would be programmed to send down only the most relevant imagery, such as a new vehicle entering the village. This special report attempts to highlight some of the airborne, multi-spectral sensors having a major impact battleeld ISR today. With new sensors coming on the market at a rapid rate, this report is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to provide a general overview. The sensors described here are multi-spectral, turreted, airborne, dedicated to the ISR mission, and are medium to large in terms of size. Small and miniature airborne multi-spectral sensors, which are proliferating rapidly, were omitted from this report and are prevalent enough to be revisited in an entirely separate special report dedicated only to them.

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

CONTENT
NORTH AMERICA DRS FLIR Hood Technology (Alticam) L-3 Lockheed Martin Raytheon Sierra Nevada Corporation EUROPE/ISRAEL Controp Elbit Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)/Tamam Rafael Sagem Selex Galileo Thales UOMZ 7 8 11 11 15 16 19

20 21 23 24 24 25 26 27

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

NORTH AMERICA
DRS
GS410-LD Stabilised Multisensor
The GRS410-LD features Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), zoom colour TV, laser pointer, laser range nder, and optional laser designator, integrated with an automatic video tracker. GS410-LD STABILISED MULTISENSOR Payload weight Dimensions Field of view Stabilisation applications less than 20.4 kg (45 lb) 39.9 cm height x 26.2 cm diameter Infrared: 30; 8.6; 2.2 horizontal TV: continuous 58 to 1.7 horizontal 4 axis stabilisation
DRS

Mast Mounted Sight (MMS)


The MMS is an electro-optical sensor system that consists of three subsystems, including the turret, the control/display panel and the onboard electronics. Onboard sensors include a CCD television, thermal imaging sensor (TIS), laser-range nder/designator, and an automatic Optical Boresight Tool. A digital scan converter improves the TIS image and provides electronic zoom capability. Over 420 systems were delivered to the US Army for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed scout helicopter from 1990. Taiwan purchased 51 MMS sets for OH-58D use. MAST MOUNTED SIGHT (MMS) Platform Payload weight Dimensions Field of view Range OH-58D Kiowa Warrior 113.4 kg 64.77 cm diameter CCD television camera: 2 NFoV; 8 WFoV Thermal Imaging Sensor: 2.8 NFoV; 10 WFoV CCD television camera Spectral range: 0.65 to 0.9 m Thermal Imaging Sensor Spectral range: 8 to 12 m Laser Range Finder Wavelength: 1.06 m 2-axis, <20 rad jitter

Stabilisation applications

DRS

DRS

DRS

DRS

DRS

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

FLIR
AN/AAQ-22E BRITE Star II and BRITE Star DP
The BRITE STAR II consists of sensors added to the AN/AAQ-22 SAFIRE/Star SAFIRE family of turrets. The surveillance and targeting system combines color optical imagery (a three-eld of view, high-resolution, 3 chip color daylight camera with monochrome mode) with a ve eld-of-view large format thermal imager. It also carries a diode-pumped laser designator/range nder and laser pointer. The system is compatible with US and NATO laser-guided munitions, including AGM-114 Hellre missiles. The BRITE Star II is the sensor used on the Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Unmanned Aircraft System (VUAS). The unmanned helicopter ew for the rst time from the US Navys Littoral combat Ship (LCS) on 18 November. The US Marine Corps are equipping UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) with BRITE Star II, as well as their successor airframe, the UH1Y Venom scout and utility helicopter. The BRITE Star DP is an export version, and it is essentially the same sensor t as the BRITE Star II, but with less capability in some areas including magnication and range. It was designed for an undisclosed international customer. AN/AAQ-22E BRITE STAR II Platform Payload weight Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout Turrett Flir Unit (TFU) weight: 120 lbs (54.4 kg) 125 lbs (56.7 kg) with boresight module Control Electronic Unit: (CEU): 24 lbs (10.9 kg) TFU: 16.2 in x 19.3 in (410 mm x 490 mm) CEU: 10.0 in x 7.5 in x12.5 in (254 mm x 191 mm x 318 mm) 30 to 0.31 in ve stages 3-5 m Spectral Range of Thermal Imager: 3 to 5 m Range of Laser RangeFinder: 20 km (5 m) 4-axis gimbal

Dimensions Field of view Range

FLIR

Stabilisation applications

BRITE STAR DP
The BRITE Star DP is an export version, and it is essentially the same sensor t as the BRITE Star II, but with less capability in some areas including magnication and range performance. BRITE STAR DP Payload weight TFU: 120 lbs (54.4 kg) 125 lbs (56.7 kg) with boresight module CEU: 24 lbs (10.9 kg) TFU: 16.2 in x 19.3 in (410 mm x 490 mm) CEU: 10.0 in x 7.5 in x 12.5 in (254 mm x 191 mm x 318 mm) Thermal Imager: 30 to 0.45 Daylight camera: matched to thermal imager eld of views Spectral Range of Thermal Imager: 3 to 5 m Range of Laser RangeFinder: 20 km (5 m) 4-axis gimbal

Dimensions Field of view Range Stabilisation applications

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

STAR SAFIRE
First elded around six years ago by television news channels and the lm industry, digital high-denition imaging systems are increasingly standard kit for military buyers. FLIR Systems standard-bearer in this fast-growing market segment is its Star Sare HD system. When unveiled at the Paris Air Show in 2005, FLIR described the latest member of the Star Sare portfolio as the rst all digital HD payload from the detector to connector. That event also saw the announcement of the Star Sare HDs the US Army, which mounts the camera on a tethered aerostat as a surveillance system for bases in Afghanistan and Iraq. Contained within a 15in turret, the stabilised HD system offers thermal, colour and image intensied cameras, three lasers and an inertial measurement unit. The product has been updated since 2005 to increase the range, performance and pixels on target of the infrared imagers focal-plane detectors.

STAR SAFIRE Payload weight Dimensions Field of view less than 45kg 380mm x 475mm (single LRU) Colour high denition: 29 to 0.25 Colour low light high denition: 55 to 1.5 Short wave infrared: 28 to 0.25 Thermal imager: 30 to 0.25 6-axis
FLIR

Stabilisation applications

FLIR

FLIR

Airborne Imaging 2011 | Flightglobal Insight | 9

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

Hood Technology (Alticam)


MULTI 800
The Multi 800 provides daylight, medium-wavelength (3 - 5 m) and long-wavelength (8 12 m) infrared imaging, as well as laser range nding, laser pointing and marking, and a Class 3b laser. The system is designed for lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles, piloted vehicles, and other small moving platforms such as balloons, kites, and boats.
Hood Technology

MULTI 800 Platform Payload weight Dimensions Field of view US Navy Insitu Integrator 5,550 gm 25.4 cm diameter 2.50 and 100 mid-wave IR 240 long-wave IR 1.70 - 560 electro-optical Thermal imaging: 3 - 5 m mid-wave IR 8 - 12 m long-wave IR 400 - 900 m electro-optical Laser Marker: 830 nm Laser Range nder: 3 km

Range

L-3
L-3 Wescam MX-10 Sensor Turret
The MX-10 sensor turret, introduced at the 2009 Paris Air Show, is the smaller cousin of L-3s MX-15 and MX-20 sensor families. It offers a total of six payloads including a thermal imager; a two-megapixel daylight continuous zoom colour HD TV camera;a Low-Light continuous zoom electron-multiplied CCD TV camera; a laser rangender; a laser illuminator, and a laser pointer. The system began ight trials onboard the AS 355 Ecureuil II helicopter in May 2009 and was also demonstrated at HeliTech international in September 2009.

L-3 WESCAM MX-10 SENSOR TURRET Platform Payload weight Dimensions The system is relatively new, and its small size is geared toward airframes with lower ground clearance 37 lb turret 14 in (35 cm) turret height for lower ground clearance Gimbal (diam h): 26 35.5 cm Hand controller (w l d): 10.8 22.8 Thermal Imager spectral range: 3 to 5 m Four-axis stabilized gimbal and hand controller
L-3

Range Stabilisation applications

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

MX-15 (AN/AAQ-35, AN/AAQ-38), and MX-15i/D/Di/True HD sensor variants


The MX-15, designated the AN/AAQ-35 and AN/AAQ-38 in the United States, is a family of mid-size sensor turrets. The system features long-range capability and be equipped with up to six sensors, allowing versatility across a range of platforms, including xed wing, rotary wing, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and aerostats. The MX-15 supports 1 to 6 payload sensors. Standard payloads include a high-magnication thermal imager with a colour 1-Charged Coupled Device (CCD) camera with zoom lens. Other optional sensors include: a second CCD camera (colour or monochrome); laser rangender; laser illuminator: laser pointer. Evolved from the MX-15, the MX-15i includes some new features: An integrated microcontroller(MCU), which allows as much as a 50 lb weight reduction by moving what were once considered external control electronics to the turret top A Charge-Multiplied Charge-Coupled Device (CMCCD) Night Spotter camera, which enables offers long-range identication in low light conditions. A Laser Illuminated Night Spotter, which allows long-range identication in total darkness. An improved thermal imager, featuring a 20 m-pitch IR detector array that offers a 20 percent increase in infrared range, magnication and resolution MX-GEO, Gen -3, a package consisting of GEO-Scan, Automated Video/GEO-Tracking, Integrated GEO-Tracking and Adaptive-GEO, each of which aid in maximising the accuracy of target location. Further developments have led to the MX-15Di (Designator), which features improvements in range, resolution and magnication that L-3 claims have led to the development of the longest EO/IR target identication range in the industry. Similar to the MX-15i, the MX-15DI features an MCU located on top of the turret instead of externally. The payload supports up to six sensors, including: Colour daylight camera with zoom lens Monochrome daylight camera with spotter lens Thermal imager with high magnication 4-step zoom Laser designator Laser range nder Laser target illuminator The MX-15 True HD is a version of the MX-15i that features a miniature camera with 1080p imaging resolution to provide high denition imagery. The sensor also features Enhanced Local Area Processing (ELAP), which enables real-time image enhancement; this high-speed processing of images allows for increased standoff range, improved feature recognition and maximum haze penetration, according to L-3.

L-3

Like the MX-15i and MX-15Di, the MX-15 True HD hosts its electronics control unit on top of the turret instead of externally to reduce weight.

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L-3 MX-15 Payload weight Dimensions Field of view 42.7 kg 394 x 470 mm High Magnication Thermal Imager: NTSC: 31.7 to 0.43 (in four stages) PAL (large format): 31.8, 6.51, 1.30, 0.52 PAL (small format): PAL 19.4, 3.91, 0.78, 0.52 Color daylight TV with zoom lens: 27.4 to 1.4 FoV with optional 19 lens with 2 extender: 30.3 to 0.86 TV Camera with spotter lens (optional): 0.29 or 0.39 High Magnication Thermal Imager spectral range: 3 to 5 m Laser range nder: 10 km (20 km range gate) four-axis active gyro-stabilisation, plus six-access passive isolation vibration stabilization. All MX-series turrets feature an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) mounted on the inner gimbal with the payload. The MX-GEO package also helps with stabilization, providing GEO-pointing, GEO-steering, GEO-focus, auto-tracker and moving map functions are all available.

Range Stabilisation applications

MX-20 (AN/ASX-4)/MX-20HD
The MX-20 is designed to provide long-range stand-off surveillance and identication, being gyro-stabilised and having high magnication optics. Initially congured to accommodate up to six sensor systems, since September 2005 a seventh has been possible. L-3 has also developed a high denition verison of the turret, known as MX-20 True HD, which is capable of providing 1080p imaging resolution a thermal imager, with high magnication 4-step zoom; colour daylight CCD camera with zoom lens; colour (or monochrome) daylight camera with 4-step spotter lens; night camera, with 4-step spotter lens; laser rangender; and two choices of laser illuminator/pointer, claimed by the company as being able to see clearer and further than any system in its class.

L-3

WORLD AIR FORCES

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

MX-20 Platform Deployed on the US Navys P-3C Orion ; US Coast GuardsHC-130H Hercules(with the designation An/ASX-4); Canadas CP-140 Aurora; and US Army Persistent Threat Detection System aerostat The MX-20 is the chosen turret for Lockheed Martins AN/AAQ-30 Hawkeye target sight system, which is for the US Marine Corps AH-1Z SuperCobra helicopter upgrade. The MX-20 also has been selected to equip the Royal New Zealand Air Force eet of ve P-3K Orions, as part of the Project Guardian upgrade. The MX-20 is also part of the sensor package for Selex Galileos Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance (ATOS) system, which is equipped on Italian Ministry of Finance ATR42 MP Surveyor maritime patrol aircraft. Norway ordered eight MX-20 systems for its P-3 Orion eet in April 2006. Australia announced that the ATOS-derived system had been selected to equip 10 Dash 8 Q200 aircraft and two helicopters (Bell 206LR and 412EP) in February 2007. Boeing selected the MX-20HD for the US Navys P-8A Poseidon aircraft in March 2008. L-3 announced also has a contract with the US Air force for an undisclosed number of MX20D with HD sensors to be supplied to an unnamed customer. L-3 announced in September 2010 a contract with Quantum Research International to provide four imaging and targeting systems for the US Armys Long Endurance Multi-intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) L-3 Wescam will supply two MX-20D (plus two MX-15HDi) sensor turrets to equip the LEMV. 84.1 kg 53 67 cm High magnication thermal imager: 18.2 to 0.24 in four stages (720p and 1,080p) Colour daylight TV with zoom lens (standard) Fields-of-view (option A): 41.3 to 2.2 (7200p); 44 to 3.2 (1,080p) Fields-of-view (option B): 21.3 to 1.83 (7200p); 18.2 to 2.75 (1,080p) TV with step spotter lens (optional) 0.115 to 0.61 (720p); 0.17 to 0.92 (1,080p) in 4-steps MX-Day/Night Spotter{TM} with dual-channel step-spotter (requires Colour HD camera above) 0.14 to 0.73 in 4-steps (720p and 1,080p) High Magnication Thermal Imager: 3 to 5 m Laser range nder: 30 km (50 km range gate) 5-axis gyro-stabilisation 6-axis vibration isolation

Weight Dimensions Field of view

Range Stabilisation applications

L-3

L-3

L-3

L-3

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

Lockheed Martin
AN/AAQ-30 Target Site System (TSS)
Lockheed Martins TSS is the multi-sensor electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) re control system for the U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter. It features a large-aperture (8.55 inches) midwave forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, colour TV, laser designator/rangender (with eyesafe mode), and an on-gimbal inertial measurement unit integrated into a turret. The turret mounts to the nose of the aircraft via the Lockheed Martin-developed aircraft interface structure. TSS provides the capability to identify and laser-designate targets at maximum weapon range, according to Lockheed Martin. AN/AAQ-30 TARGET SITE SYSTEM (TSS) Platform Payload weight Dimensions Field of view US Marine Corps AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter. Turret: 83 kg Electronics unit: 33 kg 520 mm diameter Wide: 21.7 16.3 Medium: 4.4 3.3 Narrow: 0.88 0.66 Very narrow: 0.59 0.44 Gimbal stabilized to <15 microradians, includes on-gimbal inertial measurement unit for reduced image blur due to jitter and precise line pointing, target geo-location, and multi-target tracking
Lockheed Martin

Stabilisation applications

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin

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Raytheon
AN/AAS-52 Multi-Spectral Targeting System MTS-A
The AN/AAS-52 MTS-A incorporates electro-optical, infrared (EO/IR) and laser-ranging capabilities. The system provides long-range surveillance, target acquisition, tracking, range-nding and laser designation for the AGM-114 Hellre missile and for all tri-service and NATO laser-guided munitions. The system was own on the MQ-1 Predator in the late 1990s in support of the US militarys involvement in Kosovo, and US military orders exploded after the 9/11 attacks, when the USAF began an aggressive effort to arm MQ-1 Predator aircraft with Hellre missiles, according to Andy Bonnot, Raytheons product line director for Surveillance & Targeting Systems. High denition (HD) capability is available if requested, according to Raytheon.
Raytheon

Raytheon

AN/AAS-52 MULTI-SPECTRAL TARGETING SYSTEM MTS-A Platform Rotary wing (known as AN/AAS -44C (V) when equipped on the US Navy MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters) and unmanned air vehicles including the MQ-1 Predator. Raytheon says the MTS-A is also suitable for xed wing applications. US Special Operations Command MH-47 and MH-60 helicopters are equipped with a sensor evolved from the MTS-A and MTS-B that ts on the nose of the helicopter, known as the AN-ZSQ-2. Weapons Replaceable Assembly 1 (WRA-1): 130 lb WRA-2: 25 lb WRA: 1: 18 in diameter WRA 2: 1/2 ATR, 14.4 (L) x 4.9 (W) x 7.6 (H) inches (for 28 Vdc operation) Wide: 34 x 45 Medium-wide: 17 x 22 Medium: 5.7 x 7.6 Medium-narrow: 2.8 x 3.7 Narrow: 1.2 x 1.6 (IR and TV) Ultra-narrow: 0.6 x 0.8 (IR) Ultra-narrow: 0.21 x 0.27 (TV) Six-axis stabilized mount

Payload weight Dimensions Field of view

Stabilisation applications

AN/DAS-1 Multi-Spectral Targeting System MTS-B


Similar to Raytheons MTS-A predecessor, the MTS-B provides electro-optical, infrared and laser detecting, ranging and tracking for the AGM-114 Hellre and all tri-service/NATO laser-guided munitions. However it is bigger than the MTS-A, and it was developed and produced specically for high-altitude applications onboard the Air Forces larger MQ-9 Reaper, which can be armed with the AGM-114 Hellre missile. With the Bs you can y higher, you can image from farther away, and you dont have to be so close, said Andy Bonnot, Raytheons product line director for Surveillance & Targeting Systems. The sensor has also been selected for incorporation onboard the US Navys MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) unmanned aircraft eet. High denition (HD) is also available, according to Raytheon.
Raytheon Raytheon

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

AN/DAS-1 MULTI-SPECTRAL TARGETING SYSTEM MTS-B Platform Unmanned aerial vehicles including the MQ-9 Reaper and the MQ-4C, the US Navys Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Raytheon says it is also suitable for helicopter and xed-wing aircraft applications. Weapons Replaceable Assembly 1 (WRA-1): 230 lb WRA-2: 25 lb WRA-1: 22 in. diameter WRA-2: ATR, 14.4 (L) x 4.9 (W) x 7.6 (H) inches

Payload weight Dimensions

AN/AAS-53 Common Sensor Payload (CSP)


The US Army selected Raytheon to provide the Common Sensor Payload for multiple manned and unmanned aircraft in November 2007. The sensor builds on the MTS-A and MTS-B technology, but Raytheon has not specied exactly what capabilities it will entail, in part because the sensor can be tailored to meet the individual needs of various platforms. Company literature describes several sensor options, however, including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) capability and laser detecting, ranging and tracking. In particular, the literature species the following options: Large-format mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and multiple-wavelength infrared sensors for night-time viewing Daytime color TV sensors - for surveillance with various lens options, as well as Imageintensied (I2) TV sensors; NIR TV sensors Dual-band (operational and eye-safe) laser rangenders; Laser spot trackers/designators; and Laser pointers. Laser and eyesafe rangenders Autotrackers Forward-looking infrared sensors (FLIR) The CSP was originally intended for the armys now-cancelled ARH-70A Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) and the Extended Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP) unmanned aircraft, the MQ-1C Sky Warrior (re-named Gray Eagle by the US Army in August 2010).

Raytheon

Raytheon

The army is performing a Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program (CASUP) on the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed scout helicopter that will include replacing the current Mast-Mounted Sight with the CSP. Stabilization Applications Sensor system will be packaged in a multi-axis stabilised gimbal turret

Raytheon

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

AN/AAS-53 COMMON SENSOR PAYLOAD (CSP) Platform Payload weight Scheduled for integration on the MQ-1C and the OH-58F 161 pounds

Airborne Vision Enhanced System (AVES)


Raytheons Airborne Vision Enhanced System (AVES) is an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system with laser tracking that has been developed and produced for international customers seeking both overland and maritime surveillance capabilities. The sensor system is part of the mission suite onboard the Shadow R Mk 1, a UK Royal Air Force xed wing, manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft based on the King Air 350CER.
Raytheon

AIRBORNE VISION ENHANCED SYSTEM (AVES) Platform Payload weight Dimensions Field of view Shadow R Mk 1 WRA-1: 130 lbs WRA-2: 35 lbs WRA-1: 18 in. WRA-2: 2 ATR, 16.5 in. (L) x 13.5 in. (W) x 9.3 in. (H) (for 28 Vdc operation) Wide: 34-45 Medium-wide: 1 x 22 Medium: 5.7 x 7.6 Narrow: 1.2 x 1.6 (IR and TV) Ultra-narrow: 0.6 x 0.8 (IR) Ultra-narrow: 0.21 x 0.27 (TV)

Advanced Airborne Optical Sensor System (AAOSS)


This electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) sensor is designed to provide long-range surveillance, high altitude target acquisition and tracking of ballistic missiles. The US Missile Defense Agency is using it in experimentation with forward-deployed advanced infrared sensors for missile defense applications. ADVANCED AIRBORNE OPTICAL SENSOR SYSTEM (AAOSS) Platform Field of view MQ-9 Reaper Wide: 34-45 Medium-wide: 1 x 22 Medium: 5.7 x 7.6 Narrow: 1.2 x 1.6 (IR and TV) Ultra-narrow: 0.6 x 0.8 (IR) Ultra-narrow: 0.21 x 0.27 (TV)

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

Sierra Nevada Corporation


Gorgon Stare
Gorgon Stare is being developed on behalf of the US Air Force (USAF) for wide area airborne surveillance (WAAS) onboard the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial system (UAS). Designed to be pod-mounted onboard an MQ-9 Reaper, Gorgon Stare consists of an ITT-manufactured turret that can carry various sensors to provide city-wide views. These city-wide views also can be chipped out into as many as 10 spot images that can be transmitted to ground forces operating handheld OSRVT or ROVER systems. Imagery can also be transmitted to Gorgon Stare Ground Stations via datalink. The sensor package for increment one of Gorgon Stare consists of ve daylight black and white EO cameras and four infrared cameras. Gorgon Stare also makes use of a Gorgon Stare Ground Station for image processing. Increment two of Gorgon Stare is expected to include a new type of EO sensor, developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and known as Autonomous Real-time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance (ARGUS-IS). Flight tests of the BAE Systems-manufactured ARGUS-IS were conducted on-board a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and concluded in October 2009. The addition of ARGUS-IS is expected to offer imagery resolution that is twice as good as that in increment one. GORGON STARE Platform Payload weight MQ-9 Reaper About 1000 pounds (454 kg)

USAF

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

EUROPE/ISRAEL
Controp
DSP-1
The DSP-1 consists of a four-gimbal, gyro-stabilised turret that includes two sensors: a high-resolution colour CCD daylight TV camera (or a 3-CCD TV as an option) with 20 zoom, as well as one of the companys Fox Gen 3 thermal cameras. Choices include either the Fox-720 with an InSb 320 256 FPA and a 22.5 zoom lens or the Fox-600 with a high-resolution 640 512 FPA.

Controp

DSP-1 Platform Payload weight Dimensions Field of view The DSP-1 is marketed toward UAVs, helicopters, xed wing aircraft, and aerostats. 22.5 kg turret; Payload Electronic Box: 3.5 kg 330X483 mm Fox-720 thermal imager: wide 27.0 20.6; narrow 0.76 0.57 (with 320 x 256 FPA) Daylight TV Camera: wide: 13.6 x 10.2 ; narrow 0.7 x 0.52 Fox-720 thermal imager spectral range: 3 to 5 m 4 gimbal gyro-stabilised turret

Range Stabilisation applications

LDP
The LDP System is a compact Day/Night/Designator observation system especially congured for use on UAVs, military helicopters and marine patrol boats. LDP Platform Payload weight Dimensions Field of view The LPD is optimised for UAV and helicopter applications Turret: 32 kg; Payload Electronic Box: 3.5 kg 354 mm Fox-720 thermal imager : wide 27.0 20.6; narrow 0.76 0.57 (with 320 X 256 FPA) Daylight TV Camera: narrow 0.70 0.52; wide: 13.6 10.2 Optional 3 CCD TV camera: narrow: 0.90 0.68; wide: 18.0 13.5 Fox-720 thermal imager spectral range: 3 to 5 m

Range

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

Elbit
Compact Multi-Purpose Advanced Stabilised System (CoMPASS)
The CoMPASS family of systems is a highly stabilized, multi-sensor electro-optical payload. It features a thermal imager, colour TV camera, laser rangender/designator and laser target illuminator. The latest model, known as the CoMPASS IV, is lighter than the previous version. An all-digital version known as DCoMPASS is also available, as well as two small diameter version known as Mini-CoMPASS and Micro-CoMPASS. The CoMPASS system can be used for the following missions: Automatic target tracking Dual color target designation Line of Sight (LOS) positioning for re control applications Navigation capabilities for target gathering and geolocation See the separate entry for a description of DCoMPASS. The Mini-CoMPASS has a 305 mm (12 in) diameter, and the Micro-CoMPASS has just a 203 mm (8 in) diameter. COMPASS Platform Payload weight Dimensions Field of view Range Designed for xed wing, helicopters, UAVs. 38 kg with laser designator 38 cm (15 in) diameter Thermal Imager: 0.61 0.46 (narrow); 2 1.5 (medium); 13.7 10.2 (wide) Colour TV: 0.7 0.52 (narrow); 13.7 10.2 with 2 (wide) Thermal Imager (spectral) : 3 to 5 m Colour TV (spectral) : 450 to 750 nm Laser target illuminator (spectral) : 830 nm Range: 10 km

Elbit

Digital Compact Multi-Purpose Advanced Stabilised System (DCoMPASS)


A variant of CoMPASS, DCoMPASS has a full digital architecture and can carry six sensors, including a gimbal-mounted inertial measurement unit that allows for highly accurate navigation, target location and geo-location. Other sensors include: Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Thermal imager Large format Charged Couple Device (CCD) colour tv camera Laser target illuminator Laser rangender Laser target designator In December 2005, DCoMPASS was selected for the UKs WK450 Watchkeeper UAV , a variant of the Elbit Hermes 450 UAV.

Elbit

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The Ultimate Military Aircraft Information System


for Windows PCs
Developed to be the worlds most powerful market information source for military fixed-wing aircraft. MiliCAS covers military aircraft world wide from primary trainers to fighters, bombers and transports,including civil aircraft in a military role. MiliCAS is updated monthly by CD, with a link to the web-site for the latest orders information.

To request a free demo email [email protected] or call +44 1788 564 800 US toll free +1 866 348 4503

www.flightglobal.com

AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

DCOMPASS Platform Payload weight Dimensions Field of view UKs WK450 Watchkeeper UAV 33 to 38 kg 38 cm (15 in) diameter Thermal Imager ( 2 Sensor Model Options) Flir A-Topaz: 24 18 (wide); continuous (medium); 0.8 0.6 (narrow) Flir B-Lotus: 13 7 (wide); 2.0 1.5 (medium); 0.61 0.46 (narrow); Color TV: 0.59 x 0.44 (narrow) 21.25 x 16 (wide) Thermal Imager Spectral Range: 3-5 m Laser Range nder: 20 km

Range

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)/Tamam


Multimission Optronic Stabilised Payload (MOSP)
IAIs Tamam division produces the MOSP family, and its helicopter-specic derivative, HMOSP, with thermal, and TV sensors and laser rangender/pointer. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAIs) Tamam division produces a Multimission Optronic Stabilised Payload (MOSP) and a helicopter-specic derivative HMOSP, with the three main thermal, TV and laser sensors; while the latest application for the POP-200 turret has been on IAIs Harop loitering, precision-guided munition. Specications below are for the generic for the family of MOSP sensors.
IAI

MULTIMISSION OPTRONIC STABILISED PAYLOAD (MOSP) Platform US Armys Northrop Grumman-manufactured MQ-5A Hunter UAV; Finnish Army IAi/ Oerlikon/RUAG Ranger UAV, and other unspecied customers that use it for xed wing, rotary wing, manned and unmanned aircraft, and also ships and ground vehicles. 30-35 kg (conguration-dependent) 350 mm diameter TV Camera Option 1: 18 x 13.7 to 1.3 1 Option 2: 18 x 13.7 to 0.5 0.3 Thermal Imager: Option 1: Wide: 24.5 18.4 Medium: 7.2 5.4 Narrow: 2 1.5 Option 2: Wide: 16.4 12.3 Medium: 3.6 2.7 Narrow: 0.9 0.7 Four-axis gyro-stabilised
Airborne Imaging 2011 | Flightglobal Insight | 23

Payload weight Dimensions Field of view

Stabilisation applications

AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

Rafael
Toplight
Rafaels Toplight family of sensors is derived from the front end of its lItening targeting and navigation pod. The Toplite series can be used on naval, ground or airborne platforms, and is equipped with a thermal imager, a daylight colour TV camera, laser marker, and laser rangender (or a laser designator/rangender on Toplite III). TOPLIGHT Platform Payload weight Dimensions Field of view The Toplight system is being marketed for use onboard unmanned aerial vehicles and xed wing patrol aircraft. 59 kg 662 mm (594 mm from mounting surface) x 406 mm Toplite II narrow FoV Toplite II medium FoV Toplite II wide FoV Toplite III narrow FoV Toplite III medium FoV Toplite III wide FoV 4-axis gimbals 1.3 1.0 (320 X240 FPA) 4.6 3.5 (320 X 240 FPA) 24 18 (320 X 240 FPA) 1 0.77 (640 X 480 FPA) 4.4 3.3 (640 X 480 FPA) 24 18 (640 X 480 FPA

Rafael

Stabilisation applications

Sagem
Euroir
The Euroir is available in two versions: the EUROFLIR 350, which has a 350 mm diameter gimbal, and EUROFLIR 410, which has a 410 mm diameter gimbal. Both systems can accommodate up to four payloads, including: a thermal imager, HD TV colour camaera, laser range nder, and laser pointer. EUROFLIR Platform EUROFLIR 350: Helicopters, xed-wing aircraft, UAVs. It is qualied on the French Army EC725 Caracal and AS532 Cougar, and it is used onboard Sagems tactical UAV, Sperwer Mk.II. EUROFLIR 410: Several variants of French NH90 helicopters; it is also installed on the French Navys AS565 Panther. EUROFLIR 350: <32 kg EUROFLIR 410: <45 kg EUROFLIR 350: 35.5 cm (14 in) EUROFLIR 410: 41 cm (16 in) EUROFLIR 350 and EUROFLIR 410 Thermal Imager: 1.3 up to 24; UNFOV: down to 0.16 EUROFLIR 350 and EUROFLIR 410: range for detecting people: 3,000 m for identication; 6,500 m for recognition; 1400 m for detection EUROFLIR 350 range for detecting vehicles: 5,500 m for identication; 9,500 m for recognition; 18,000 m for detection EUROFLIR 410 Thermal Imager (Spectral): 3-5m or 8-12m EUROFLIR 350 and 410: 4-axis stabilized gimbal
Sagem

Payload weight Dimensions Field of view Range

Stabilisation applications

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

Selex Galileo
Titan 385ES and 385es-HD Multi-Sensor Turret System (MSTS)
The Titan 385 Multi-Sensor Turret System (MSTS) is part of the MSTS family of sensors from Selex Galileo. Its sensor package includes an infrared camera, a colour TV camera, a solid-state low-light television camera and an eye-safe laser rangender. Available options include a laser illuminator and a low-light spotter scope. Variants include the Titan 385ES, which has enhanced stabilisation, as well as the Titan 385ES-HD, which replaces the existing thermal imager with a SLX Merlin thermal camera. The Titan 385ES turret has an enhanced stabilisation feature, while the Titan 385ES-HD sees the existing SiGMA thermal imager replaced by the SLX Merlin thermal camera. TITAN 385ES Platform The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has ordered the Titan 385 for its C-130K Hercules C.1 airlifters. Titan 385ES has been Ordered for RAF Chinook HC.2 and Merlin HC.3 helicopters, Malaysian Navy Super Lynx 300 and German Navy Super Lynx helicopters. Titan 385ES-HD has been selected for the RAF Chinook upgrade under Project Julius in November 2009. 48kg (System Controller additional 3kg) 385 mm diameter Thermal Camera on Titan 385ES: Narrow FoV: 3.6 2.8 (on 640 512 FPA) Wide FoV: 18 14.4 (on 640 512 FPA); Colour TV camera Titan 385ES and 385ES-HD: 18 to 0.9 (auto-matched to thermal camera eld of view) Thermal camera Spectral range for 385ES and 38ES-HD 3 to 5 m Low Light TV camera Spectral Range for 385ES and 38ES-HD 450 to 1,100 nm three-axis gyro-stabilized

Selex Galileo

Payload weight Dimensions Field of view

Range Stabilisation applications

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Airborne Imaging 2011 | Flightglobal Insight | 25

AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

Thales
Airborne Gyro-stabilised Infrared Light Equipment (AGILE)
AGILE comes in to versions; AGILE 2 for helicopters, light aircraft and smaller UAVs, and AGILE 4 for larger xed-wing aircraft and UAVs. The system includes a thermal imager, daylight colour CCD TV camera, laser range nder and laser range pointer. AGILE Platform Payload weight AGILE 2 has been demonstrated onboard the Schiebel Camcopter S-100 rotary wing aerial drone. AGILE 2: 20 kg AGILE 4: 24 kg AGILE 4 HD: 26 kg AGILE 2: 30 cm diameter AGILE 4: 33 cm diameter AGILE 4 HD: 36 cm diameter Thermal Imager: AGILE 2: 27 x 20 (wide); 2.2 x 1.6 (narrow) AGILE 4: 27 x 20 (wide); 1.2 x 0.8 (Narrow) AGILE 4 HD: 27 x 20 (wide); 0.8 x 0.6 (Narrow) Colour TV: AGILE2: 42 x 32 (wide) ; 1.6 x 1.2 (narrow) AGILE 4: 14 x 10 (wide) ; 0.7 x 0.5 (narrow) AGILE 4 HD: 20 x 15 (wide) ; 0.5 x 0.3 (narrow) Thermal Imager (spectral) : 3 to 5 m Colour TV (spectral) : 450 to 750 nm Laser target illuminator (spectral) : 800 nm - Range: 10 km Laser range nder (spectral) : 1.54m - Range: 20 km Laser Designator (spectral): 1.06 m - Range: 5 to 15 km AGILE 2: 3-axis gyro-stabilised AGILE 4: 4-axis gyro-stabilised AGILE 4 HD: 4-axis gyro-stabilised

Dimensions

Field of view

Range

Stabilisation applications

Schiebel

Schiebel

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AIRBORNE IMAGING 2011

Urals Optical Mechanical Plant (UOMZ)


Gyrostabilized Optical Electronic System (GOES)
UOMZ produces a large family of GOES turrets which carry a variety of sensors based on the airframe and mission for which they are selected. The GOES-321M and GOES-342 turrets are reported to be in production for installation on Russian military aircraft. The GOES-337M, evolved from the GOES-321M, is designed for an Mi-17 helicopter upgrade. GOES-321M includes an thermal camera and laser rangender; the GOES 342 and GOES 337M include thermal and TV cameras for day/night operations, in combination with a laser rangender.

GYROSTABILIZED OPTICAL ELECTRONIC SYSTEM (GOES) Platform The GOES-321M was designed for Russian Mi-8/Mi-17 Hip armed utility helicopters. The GOES-342 was designed for combat helicopters, such as the Mi-24/25/-35 Hind family. The GOES-337M is designed for upgrading the observation and siting system for the Mi-17 Hip combat helicopter GOES 321M: 90 kg GOES 342: 185 kg GOES 337M: 108 kg GOES 321M: 460 x 613 mm GOES 342: 460 x 613 mm GOES 337M: 464 x 624 mm GOES 321M: Azimuth: 230 Elevation: +40 to -30 GOES 342: Azimuth: 230 Elevation: + 25 to -115 GOES 337M: Azimuth: 230 Elevation: -110 to +30

Payload weight

Dimensions

Field of view

UOMZ

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Maritime Surveillance Solutions

The search just got smarter.


Maritime surveillance operations start with rapidly obtaining actionable intelligence and superior situational awareness. Thats why Raytheon remains the worlds leading producer of proven Maritime Surveillance Solutions and expertly integrates those solutions with specialized mission aircraft designed for over land and over sea environments. So decision-makers all over the world can count on the highest levels of resolution and discrimination, and get the information they need to respond quickly and effectively.

INNOVATION IN ALL DOMAINS Visit www.raytheon.com Keyword: MSS1


2011 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved. Customer Success Is Our Mission is a registered trademark of Raytheon Company.

Multi-Spectral Targeting System Family of Sensors


Every day, Raytheon customers undertake vital missions across air, land, sea, space and cyberspace. Our mission is to provide innovative, integrated technologies across these domains to ensure customer success. Raytheons Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems family of sensors ensures that our customers are responsive, relevant and ready for their peacekeeping, warfighting and homeland security needs. The MTS family of sensors provides an unblinking eye over areas of interest. These systems locate, identify and track targets that could threaten the U.S. and its allies, not only for traditional military mission requirements but also for growing homeland security needs worldwide. Raytheon takes the time to understand each mission and its requirements, optimizing the specific solution for specific mission needs. Raytheon delivers the right sensor, platform and ground elements as an integrated system precisely matched to the customers mission. Raytheon provides sensor solutions on a variety of fixed-wing, rotary-wing, manned and unmanned platforms. Recently celebrating over one million operational flight hours in service worldwide, Raytheons MTS family of sensors offers an affordable, combat-proven product that provides critical information to U.S. and coalition forces. Raytheons MTS family of sensors offers a full range of integrated ISR systems, including many modes of intelligence collection and analysis. Air-to-ground net-centric platforms securely transfer near-real-time, actionable information, aiding mission command and control and enhancing the decision-making cycle. Raytheon also offers high-definition, full-motion video to the information consumer. Raytheons MTS family of sensors has been integrated on more than 16 platforms representing all Department of Defense branches and Department of Homeland Security assets. Numerous MTS family sensors are flying aboard U.S. Air Force unmanned air systems and on helicopters in the Navy and special operations fleets. The MTS is also currently in use in Italy, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Australia. Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 89 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

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