Friday, July 18, 2008

SELEX Galileo And BAE Systems To Provide Thermal Sights For Soldiers

SELEX Galileo And BAE Systems To Provide Thermal Sights For Soldiers Washington DC - July 18, 2008: SELEX Galileo, of Finmeccanica, and BAE Systems have signed a partnering agreement to provide thermal weapon sights manufactured by BAE Systems for the forthcoming surveillance and target acquisition increment of the Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) Programme. FIST is the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) programme which aims to enhance the combat effectiveness of the Infantry in the 21st Century. It will provide a system of complementary, integrated capabilities to the Infantry Section which, when the effects are combined, will provide increased mission effectiveness in dismounted close combat by reducing casualties, raising operational tempo and increasing readiness for further operation. SELEX Galileo and BAE Systems will offer a family of three high performance thermal weapon sights (light, medium, and heavy) as a flexible and cost effective solution to the FIST requirement. Thermal technology is now capable of delivering identification ranges similar to visual and image intensified weapon sights, and allows thermal only sights to be considered as a "best-value" solution to capability needs. This is in addition to the entire suite of integrated surveillance and target acquisition capabilities being developed for the Italian MoD 'Soldato Futuro' Programme and ensures that the UK MoD will have access to affordable international technologies with proven support and technology growth. SELEX Galileo has an excellent understanding of the Dismounted Close Combat domain and recognises the importance of the FIST programme in providing capability to the UK Infantry now and in the future. The company's capability based sensor solutions and acquisition experience allied with knowledge and understanding of the UK operating environment for Armed Forces will result in significant benefits to the UK MoD. "We are delighted that BAE Systems has agreed to work with us on FIST" Doug Baxter, Senior Vice President Land Systems Support and Service Solution at SELEX Galileo says, "this builds on an already successful relationship with other uncooled products and the contribution of BAE Systems' programme management and manufacturing expertise will ideally complement SELEX Galileo existing capability". "The FIST programme will play a vital role for the UK infantry, and we believe our proven experience and expertise in delivering thermal weapon sights to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps will add significant value to the FIST programme throughout its life cycle," said Steve Jamison, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems in Lexington, Massachusetts. "The partnership on FIST reinforces our already significant relationship with SELEX Galileo and is further evidence of our commitment to deliver and protect those who protect us." SELEX Galileo is the brand adopted by Galileo Avionica SpA and SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems Ltd, Finmeccanica companies, to present a common identity to the market. With the name SELEX Galileo, the two companies represent a leading defence electronics supplier, providing world-class capabilities in surveillance, protection, tracking, targeting, navigation and control, and imaging systems. LYNX - HAND HELD TARGET ACQUISITION SYSTEMMultifunctional Day/Night Hand Held Target Locator which includes an uncooled thermal imager for all weather night observation and detection through dusk or overcast days, two FOV colour TV channel for high definition observation and detection during daylight conditions, an eye safe laser range finder, a digital compass and GPS in a compact lightweight unit for dismounted soldiers and special forces. ASPISASPIS is a multifunctional integrated Rifle-Sight among the lightest available. The ASPIS enhances mission performance being capable of observation and aiming at long and short distance combining night/day video channels for the long distance, and Visible and Invisible Laser Pointers and a Red Dot for the short distance. A wireless transmission of night and day video signals processed by the ASPIS enables the Soldier to observe and fire "around the corner" and records snapshots of the scene in the receiver computer. SCORPIO - GRENADE LAUNCHER FIRE CONTROL SYSTEMLightweight compact Fire Control System for Grenade Launcher tubes that provides fast and accurate aiming and firing (LOS/LOF) capabilities. A ballistic computer reconfigurable by means of uploaded firing tables for selected ammunition (HE frag, HEDP, Smoke, etc) provides better hit probability against standing and moving ground targets. NIMOS - NIGHT MOBILITY SUBSYSTEMModular lightweight Helmet Mounted Display integrated with Low Light Level digital TV for soldier night mobility; moreover the NIMOS can receive and display the ASPIS Rifle Sight IR or TV video channels by Wireless Data Link for "shooting around the corner" capability.

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