Army Gets New State-of-the-Art Target Locator

UK Ministry of Defence, The UK's front line forces are to be equipped with a new state-of-the-art target locator system, under a £30M contract with Thales UK, Defence Secretary Des Browne announced today. 
 
The new Surveillance System and Range Finder (SSARF) allows a soldier to quickly establish the exact location and distance of enemy forces and determine the most appropriate and accurate mortar or artillery firepower to use. The new all-weather, day and night system is hand-held, lightweight, with built-in GPS, thermal imaging, and laser range-finder of up to 5km. 
 
British troops welcome the new system, as it will be speedier, lighter to carry, more accurate and less conspicuous than the current system which has no thermal imaging, GPS and is tripod mounted. The new system will make troops more effective at identifying and targeting enemy forces. 
 
Announcing the contract at the Thales UK site in Glasgow, Defence Secretary Des Browne, said: 
 
“The ability to see and target accurately at night gives our troops on operations a boost to their capabilities. This will help deliver more effective use of firepower and save lives. 
 
“This new equipment for our troops is made in Scotland, where some of the most advanced optical equipment is being developed to deliver world class capabilities for Britain's armed forces.” 
 
The new system is expected to enter service in 2009. An earlier version, on which SSARF is based, is currently being used on operations.  
 
Background Information 
1. Thales UK has been selected to supply around 700 of its Joint-Target Acquisition System (J-TAS) to provide the British military's SSARF requirement. The equipment will be built at Thales UK's optronics Glasgow facility. 
 
2. The Thales factory is also supplying the Navy's new Astute class submarines with advanced optronics that replace the traditional periscope for the next generation of hunter killer submarines. 
 
3. WPE, a Glasgow-based company, are subcontracted by Thales UK to manufacture the light-weight Kevlar casing for the binoculars. 
 
4. ACW Technology Ltd will make the PCBs (printed circuit boards) for Thales UK at the ACW Technology factory, in Tonypandy, South Wales 
 
5. Instro Precision Limited has been selected by Thales UK to supply the tripod/pan and tilt head which will be manufactured by Instro in Broadstairs, Kent.