Sharp vision for the Fennec JFST

From February 2019, HENSOLDT will deliver 30 additional Observation and Reconnaissance Equipment BAA II for the FENNEK reconnaissance vehicles of the Joint Fire Support Teams (JFST) - pictured above on a vehicle in Afghanistan. In addition, a system for training the soldiers will be provided. The order also includes 35 rear-view cameras (RFK II). The order is worth just under 13.3 million euros. The integration of all visual equipment will be completed by 2022.

The BAA II is equipped with modern sensors: a high-resolution CCD camera and ATTICA, a cooled third-generation thermal imaging device. The generational change in the thermal imaging device was a crucial step in achieving better image quality compared to the previous model OPHELIOS in the FENNEK of the Army Reconnaissance Corps. Due to the modern image fusion function, it is possible to combine the data from the thermal imaging device with that of the daylight camera. This allows the soldier to see details that are initially not visible to the human eye, in order to make the best decision based on the optimized image. The BAA II also features an eye-safe laser rangefinder and a laser target illuminator. This allows the soldier to mark, illuminate, and assign targets. This shortens reaction time. The target data obtained with the BAA II can be further processed in the FüWES ADLER. Both the cooled thermal imaging device ATTICA and the CCD daylight camera have four fields of view each. This allows the observer to have both an overview as well as the ability to recognize the smallest details. The observation and reconnaissance equipment allows the user to identify targets at distances of up to nearly 16 km and to recognize them up to 5 km away. The BAA II is intended to support the soldiers especially during long missions. Thanks to the new image processing software, the user no longer has to constantly monitor the screen, which often led to fatigue in the past. The automatic motion detection assists the soldier in longer surveillance of the battlefield and alerts him when a potential threat approaches.

The Rear-view Camera II (RFK II) is an uncooled thermal imaging device. The camera is ready for use in just a few seconds. It assists the driver of the FENNEK JFST in driving forward and backward safely in poor weather and visibility conditions as well as at night. In addition to the infrared image, the width of the vehicle is displayed on the driver's screen. This especially simplifies the process of reversing. With a field of view of 55° x 41°, the RFK II can detect a NATO standard target at a distance of one kilometer.

HENSOLDT on the internet: www.hensoldt.net

Photo: HENSOLDT/Carl Schulze