Euronaval 2024 – Exavision unveils its Seamos-MR-10K
Two years after launching its Seamos-MR-5K at Euronaval 2022 Exavision, part of Equans, unveiled the evolution of that product, the Seamos-MR-10K
Aiming at increasing the Detection, Recognition, Identification (DRI) ranges of its product, the number showing the recognition range in kilometres, the new Seamos-MR-10K unveiled at Euronaval 2024 doubles that of its predecessor, the Seamos-MR-5K, and heavily exploits the experience acquires with the latter, of which it maintains part of the sensors, the mechanical elements and exploits the same casing.
In the original model, a mock-up being visible at Euronaval, the 5K featured three apertures on the top of the front face, each one with a VGA daylight camera fitted with a fixed focal length, a much wider aperture at the centre, for the thermal imager, and another aperture at the bottom, for the laser rangefinder. Depending on customer’s requirements, the three daylight cameras could be replaced by a single one with a x9 zoom, maximum focal length being 225 mm, and this is apparently the version currently marketed. This has the thermal window on top, with the day and laser rangefinder (LRF) windows side by side at the bottom.
The system ha a mass of less than 50 kg, it is 600 mm high, 500 mm wide and 460 mm deep, the tilt range being ±85° while pan is 360° continuous, and it is gyrostabilized on two axes to which digital stabilisation is added. Pan and tilt angular speed is 100°/s. The thermal channel is based on a 640×512 pixels uncooled microbolometer working in the LWIR band (8-12 µm) with a 12µm pitch. As said it is fitted with a x9 zoom, which provides a horizontal field of view (FoV) ranging from 17° to 2°. The day channel is based on a CMOS colour sensor with a 1920×1080 pixels resolution (Full HD), minimum illumination being 5 mLux. It is fitted with a x60 zoom, FoV going from 66° to 1.1°. A Class 1 eyesafe LRF with a maximum range of over 8 km is also installed. According to data provided by Exavision DRI figures for the typical NATO 2.3×2.3 metres target are: detection 12.7 km, recognition 6.2 km and identification 3.6 km.
The Seamos-MR-5K is capable of automatic detection, classification, and real-time tracking of aerial (UAV) and surface targets. It is fitted with the company Seasens software suite which includes DeepSight AI artificial intelligence algorithms that allow system monitoring and control as well as recording of video and detect events through webserver user interface. The software suite also simplifies integration with combat management systems and third-party equipment, based on WebSocket interface, according to the company.
The whole supply chain is national, hence no ITAR or BAFA restrictions apply to the product.
According to Exavision, the Seamos-MR-5K was developed to fill a gap in the market, as it was complementary to existing systems developed by competitors. It provides a virtually maintenance-free medium-range solution at competitive cost, thanks to the use of an uncooled thermal sensor.
The system is in use for maritime surveillance, C-UAS, and other tasks.
As customers started looking for improved performances, the company decided to develop the Seamos-MR-10K. As said all mechanics and software remain identical, as well as the day channel. The uncooled thermal channel is replaced by a MWIR cooled sensor operating in the 3-5 µm with a 1280×720 pixels (HD) resolution and a 10 µm pitch. It is fitted with a x20 optical zoom, maximum focal length being 300 mm, the FoV ranging from 46° to 2.44°.
Being cooled, it obviously requires more maintenance, the cooler having an MTBF of 22,000 hours, but on the other hand it provides much better DRI performances, the recognition of a NATO 2.3×2.3 metres target being now possible at a 10 km range, DRI being respectively 21.2 km, 10.7 km and 5.8 km. The longer range needed a more powerful LRF, the 10K being therefore fitted with a Class 1 system with a range of 15 km.
Both systems can be integrated with command and control and radar systems and can be equipped with a window clearing system to ensure maximum performances even in bad weather and rough sea.
While the Seamos-MR-5K is already installed on several vessels, the production of the new Seamos-MR-10K started recently, the system being therefore available on the market.
Photos courtesy Exavision and P. Valpolini