Sensors & Electronic Gear :: Helicopter Warners & Sensors :: ASTAMIDS

ASTAMIDS

Also Known As: Airborne Standoff Minefield Detection System and Airborne Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Minefield Detection System

Origin: United States of America

Contractor/s: Northrop Grumman

Description: Northop-Grumman's Airborne Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Minefield Detection System, formerly known as the Airborne Standoff Minefield Detection System, (ASTAMIDS) is a state-of-the-art sensor developed for the US Army Future Combat Systems (FCS) RQ-8B Fire Scout Class IV UAV. The sensor's primary function is to effectively detect minefields in support of highly mobile ground military forces at daylight and night conditions. It uses quad-prism aperture-splitting technology with the aid of an integrated illuminator and target laser rangefinder and designator.

Northrop-Grumman received a $55 million contract for the development of ASTAMIDS. In April 2005, the scope of the ASTAMIDS program was expanded adding reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition (RSTA) and target designation to its counter minefield primary role. The new capabilities development were priced at $26 million. The advanced change-detection algorithm will enable detection of improvised explosive devices and single on-route mines by processing the sensor's imagery.

ASTAMIDS consists of a 75-pound integrated, multi-sensor, electro-optical infrared/multi-spectral imaging payload to detect patterned surface-emplaced mines, patterned recently buried mines and randomly scattered mines. The expanded capabilities will enable the payload to detect obstacles, combat vehicles, camouflaged targets and other combat targets. The ASTAMIDS sensor is expected to be so flexible that only a lens modification will enable it to operate at higher altitudes.

Applications:

Tactical Unmanned Rotorcrafts

MQ-8B Fire Scout

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:: Specifications ::

Weight
Weight: 34 kilogram

:: News ::

There are 4 news between
16 Jul 2008
and
6 Dec 2010

ASTAMIDS Proves it Can Detect IEDs From the Air in Near-Real Time Land-Based MQ-8B Fire Scout Completes RSTA/ISR Demonstration Northrop Grumman Tests ASTAMIDS Sensor Payload on MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Helicopter Northrop Grumman ASTAMIDS Mine Detection System Takes Flight

:: Operators ::

Operators
	Country	Items	Country	Items
	United States of America	?

fully confirmed operational planned retired cancelled destroyed

:: Notes & Resources ::

Last Updated:
Saturday, February 2, 2013

(*) lead contractor

IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
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