Laser Designator Now Available Also for Small UAVs
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A new optical and laser designation payload system for small to midsize UAV applications was released recently. UTC Aerospace Systems which launched its new TASE400 LD is a supplier of technologically advanced aerospace and defense products.
With a laser designator that is fully compliant with NATO STANAG 3733, the system is one of the industry’s lightest laser-compliant optical payload systems for UAV applications. As a result, UAV users in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Group 2 (21-55 lbs.) unmanned segment will now be able to reap the benefits of a laser designator capability for the first time, while users on the lower end of Group 3 (less than 1,320 lbs.) will also be able to utilize the system.
It is the latest addition to the company’s TASE family of systems that are operationally proven, having flown hundreds of thousands of hours in the harshest of unmanned military environments, including missions for U.S. Special Operations Forces, according to the company’s announcement on its website.
“In the past, if troops in the field needed laser designator capability, they would typically have to call in additional assets to meet the need,” said Matt Lendway, the company site lead. “Now, thanks to the lighter TASE400 LD, they can carry that capability with them, enhancing their own efficiency while freeing up assets to focus on other missions.”
The system provides operators with day/night, visible/mid-wave infrared (MWIR) imaging capabilities for improved situational awareness and an optimized lens design for enhanced object recognition. Integrated into this system is on-board video processing with image stabilization, overlays, picture in picture (PIP) and enhancement capability.
The system’s laser designator is compatible with all NATO guided munitions and semi-active laser seekers.
The release follows the recent release of the company’s TASE250 optical payload for the DoD Group 1 and 2 unmanned segments.
