SELEX S&AS Launches New Lightweight Thermal Imaging Camera at SPIE Exhibition 2007

SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems (S&AS), a Finmeccanica Company, is delighted to announce that it will showcase some of its world leading infrared detectors and cameras at the SPIE Defense and Security Symposium from 10-12 April in Orlando, Florida.

SELEX S&AS is especially proud to take this opportunity to launch a new compact lightweight thermal imager camera core, developed for use with its high performance cameras such as the new SLX-Hawk and the SLX-Eagle LW. Both of these infrared cameras are available with a range of optical systems for wide area surveillance and long range recognition and identification.

SELEX S&AS is the Prime Contractor for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) 3rd Generation Thermal Imaging Detector Project, known as Albion. This project is developing cost effective, advanced thermal imaging sensors for the UK MOD for subsequent deployment on UK military platforms. The SELEX Merlin Mid Wave (MW) and Harrier Long Wave (LW) Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) detectors are the first major developments of the Albion project. Under Albion, SELEX S&AS lead a consortium of key UK thermal imaging companies including QinetiQ and Thales.

The SLX-Hawk is a Mid Wave infrared camera incorporating the SELEX SAS Hawk 640x512 pixel detector with a 16 micron pitch. The SLX-Eagle is a Long Wave infrared camera based on the Eagle LW 640x512 pixel detector with a 24 micron pitch, being demonstrated at SPIE producing 1280x1024 pixel images from the internal microscan system.

Two versions of the new compact, lightweight thermal imager core are currently available, each with various detector options and lens design:

SLX I - High performance imagers up to 1280 x 1024 pixels with Microscan

SLX II - High Performance 3rd Gen imagers up to 2048 x 1536 pixels with Microscan

The Camera core is characterised by:

- Flexible modular design to allow integration into challenging space envelopes
- Can be installed as a standalone imager or separated to reduce size and weight where this is a key requirement e.g. on gimbals' payload or existing pod space.
- Three configurations available
- Sensor Head located in optical path with remote mounted processing card and external power supply
- Fully functioning imager without covers.
- EMC and environmentally sealed Imager.

David Bishton, Head of Sales & Marketing Infrared Detectors, said "SELEX S&AS is delighted to be able to launch this new lightweight thermal imaging core at SPIE. This incorporates the latest developments to our detector range, builds on half a century of proven research experience and strengthens our position as the market leader in this technology.�

SELEX S&AS offers world class Thermal Imaging Systems for air, land and naval systems in both military and civilian applications. SELEX S&AS has the technology and expertise to offer complete solutions in detectors, digital signal processing, optics and software.

For further information contact:

Jane McGirk
External Communications Manager
SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems
Phase 2
2 Crewe Road North
Edinburgh
EH5 2XS

Tel: +44 (0)131 343 8993
Mobile: +44 (0)07736 810172
Fax: +44 (0)131 343 4541
E-mail: jane.mcgirk@selex-sas.com