HAIFA, Israel, 22 May 2011.Military electro-optics systems designers at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. in Haifa, Israel, needed lightweight electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sights for the Rafael Samson 30 Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) that Rafael is providing for the Czech Army KBVP fighting vehicle. They found their EO/IR solution from Tamam Division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in Yehud, Israel.IAI/Tamam has delivered the MiniPOP lightweight electro-optical and infrared sights in a contract worth several millions of dollars, IAI/Tamam officials say. Rafael is delivering the MiniPOP-equipped RCWS for the GDELS-Steyr KBVP PANDUR 8x8 CZ infantry fighting vehicles, which the Czech Army has deployed in Afghanistan.The MiniPOP has a thermal imager, a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, a laser range finder, and laser pointer. Two MiniPOP systems are installed on each turret -- one for the commander sight, and one for the gunner sight. The MiniPOP was especially adapted for the harsh environment of the RCWS on the land fighting vehicle, and the systems' performance is beyond expectations," says Shaul Shahar, the Tamam general manager.
The MiniPOP is part of IAI/Tamam's POP family of lightweight, observation, and targeting sensors for aircraft, land vehicles, surface ships, and submarines. The system can have as many as five sensors, is 8 inches long, weighs 18.7 pounds, and has a cooled indium antimonide 3-to-5-micron thermal imager with continuous zoom.
The MiniPOP also has a CCD daylight color camera with near-infrared capability, eyesafe laser range finder, 0.83-micron laser pointer, and optional laser designator. For more information contact IAI/Tamam online at www.iai.co.il, or Rafael Advanced Defense Systems at www.rafael.co.il.
