Eurosatory 2016: Meeting FLIR Systems for the European “first” of the Ranger R6SS

 
Eurosatory 2016 Official news online coverage report show daily pictures video International Exhibition of Land Defence & Security army military equipment Paris France industry technology
 
Eurosatory 2016
Defence & Security International Exhibition
Official News online with Editorial and Web TV
Paris
, France
13 - 17 June 2016
 
at Eurosatory 2016
 
 
Eurosatory 2016: Meeting FLIR Systems for the European “first” of the Ranger R6SS

Stelios Kanavakis - Senior Defence Analyst


Army Recognition met with Mr. Andrew Saxton, FLIR Systems’ Vertical Marketing Director, to discuss on a new product showcased for the first in Europe at this year’s Eurosatory. The Ranger R6SS Solid State, transportable radar.

     

 Eurosatory 2016 Meeting FLIR Systems for the European first of the Ranger R6SSRanger R6 Solid State radar is a man-portable sensor ideal for use at the battalion and below command levels. A number of these can complement the overal C2 picture with valuable intelligence not provided by larger radars (Photo: Army Recognition - Eurosatory 2016)

     
 

The Ranger R6SS is a ground surveillance radar, marking a new trend for the market. On the one hand, the market has been asking for more “transportability” and on the other, military forces, with the US Army being the proponent, regard as more efficient, the deployment in battlefield of a larger number of radars and other sensors, that would provide additional input to the overall picture, as opposed to a single large system.

Simply put, the US Army considers that units should provide more intelligence and for that reason it is better to have each of the deployed battalions, companies or platoons equipped with portable radars, rather than having fewer and larger sensors to detect, recognize and identify targets in the battlefield.

Ranger R6SS can be transported in two backpacks, with the one weighing around 15 kg and the other around 20 kg, including the radar and the tripod. Its control is exercised through a tablet and power is provided by a set of batteries.

The system is designed to perform in the most demanding environments, including X-band operation for superior rain penetration. Featuring advanced Digital Beam-Forming (DBF) and a high-speed refresh rate, the FLIR Ranger R6SS offers superior target detection, acquisition, and classification as well as clutter rejection. With built-in North-finding and GPS capabilities, it can be mounted on a vehicle or dismounted and carried for artillery and mortar fire correction. 

It has a maximum instrumented range of 15 km and a minimum of 10 m, with low false alarm rate. The detection of a standing person is at 6 km and of a light vehicle at 10 km.

The system is ideal for force protection, border security and vehicle dismount. Thanks to its algorithms, it can be used to cover coastal areas as well, and detect low flying targets such as UAVs or helicopters.

Thanks to its two-metre accuracy and the capability to extract coordinates, Ranger R6SS could potentially be used for artillery missions. However, such a function requires a series of testing, which have not been undertaken until now.

FLIR had presented the system at the SOFIC in Tampa, Florida at the end of May. During the conference, the radar was installed on an LTV-X tactical reconnaissance vehicle, which can be transported inside a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. The vehicle featured the Ranger R6SS ground surveillance radar, along with a TacFLIR 280-HD multispectral ISR turret.

Depending on mission objectives, operators can network multiple vehicles, sensors, and even Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) assets with a central command center to give unprecedented situational awareness and responsiveness. The LTV-X also offers a wireless system that provides target bearing and geo-referenced coordinates to other personnel, vehicles, and command and control systems for precise target location. Other features include a laser rangefinder, laser pointer, illuminator, and battery-operated quiet mode.