Sensor System Offers Maritime Surveillanace.

• Author: Easley, Mikayla
• Position: NEWS BRIEFS

TAMPA, Florida--A new surveillance system seeks to improve the military's situational awareness during operations at sea, according to company officials.

Teledyne FLIR's defense arm in May debuted the SeaFLIR 240, the company's new addition to its line of maritime surveillance systems. The latest iteration provides operators with high-definition and multi-spectral image data in a compact and lightweight device, said Mark Garland, product director for land and maritime gimbal systems at Teledyne FLIR Defense.

The system uses electro-optical/infra-red imaging--including high-definition daylight, low-light and thermal camera options--which can be used interchangeably depending on the operation, he said.

"The SeaFLIR 240 is the eyes of the boat, especially during a passive situation where you don't want others to be seeing our radar signature," Garland said during a demonstration of the system at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, which was organized by the National Defense Industrial Association.

Teledyne FLIR demonstrated the new maritime surveillance system atop a multi-mission reconnaissance craft, which is built by Australia-based startup, The Whiskey Project.

"The size, weight and performance of [the SeaFLIR 240] is really designed for this kind of combatant craft," Garland said. Although its weight varies depending on payload, the system package weighs no more than 44 pounds.

Despite its smaller size, the SeaFLIR 240 is considered a medium-range surveillance system, Garland noted. It can detect humans from...