FLIR in mid-2020 released its 380X hardware, firmware, and software upgrade for its family of Star SAFIRE 380 gimbal systems.
The 380X features enhancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality, multi-tile image display, and moving target indicators (MTIs). Troy Boonstra, FLIR vice president for product management sensor systems, told reporters on 22 October that the company wanted to add capability to the system without touching the payload.
The FLIR Star SAFIRE 380X imaging gimbal upgrade. It supports missions including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). (FLIR)
FLIR, he said, added processing while only adding roughly 0.5-0.7 kg to the total system weight. The typical Star SAFIRE system, Boonstra said, weighs between 27 kg for a compact system and roughly 49 kg for a laser designating platform. Boonstra said not adding weight to airborne gimbals is important because a user can use that tradeoff for battery or fuel.
The 380X can be used for applications including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), synthetic aperture radar (SAR), border patrol, maritime patrol, force protection, and forward observation.
The 380X’s integrated moving map not only allows a user to see a map database, such as roads, but it can also import battlefield graphics such as phase lines, friendly locations, no-fire areas, hospitals, and NATO symbols.
The MTI capability on the 380X allows a user to put a box around a target that he or she cares about. Boonstra said this helps a user separate what is important in battlefield clutter from what is not.
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