New Applications for PCO SA Thermal Imaging Cameras
New applications for PCO SA thermal imaging cameras. into the TV camera KTVD-1M developed and manufactured by PCO SA
The Thermal Imaging Program, launched five years ago and consistently implemented by PCO SA in Warsaw, systematically leads to subsequent implementations of the devices created within it, as well as to the development of new prototypes. This indicates that the market analysis underlying it turned out to be accurate, faith in one’s own competencies and capabilities was justified, and significant funds spent on the modernization of research and development bases and the most modern production equipment have a chance to quickly pay off. .
Let me remind you that the goal of the Thermal Imaging Program was to develop a family of thermal imaging modules based on cooled and uncooled MCT (HgCdTe) matrix detectors of the 3rd generation, operating in the wavelength range 5 ÷ 8 and 12 ÷ 384 µm. Within its framework, incl. module with a cooled detector with a resolution of 288×3 pixels, operating in the range of 5 ÷ 640 µm; two modules with cooled detectors with a resolution of 512×3 pixels, operating in the ranges of 5 ÷ 8 and 12 ÷ 640 µm; as well as a module with a bolometric detector (uncooled) with a resolution of 480×8 pixels, operating in the range of 14÷17 µm, made using 17 µm technology (the size of a single pixel is 17×1 µm). These detectors, in combination with optical and electronic modules of our own design and production, have found application in thermal imaging cameras: KMW-2 Teja, KMW-3, KMW-1 Temida, KLW-1 Asteria, MKB-2 and MKB-1. , as well as several new generation thermal imaging devices (for example, the TSO-2 Agat thermal imaging surveillance system, the SKT-1 sight, etc.). In turn, the cameras were used, including in the heads of observation and tracking GSN-1 "Aurora" (KMW-1), GOD-1 "Iris" (KLW-1), GOK-3 "Nike" (KMW-72) , periscopic thermal imaging sight PKT-1 (KLW-1) or Camera Upgrade kit Thermal imaging device for the fire control system of the SKO-1T/Drava-T tank (KLW-2014). The latter successfully passed the tests required by the user in 120, has been mass-produced since last year and consistently replaces worn out, obsolete TPP cameras of the 1st generation from El-Op (cooled linear detector 91 × XNUMX with mechanical scanning) in Drawa.T systems repaired PT-Twardy tanks.
Rosomake's KLW-1R
The problem of ensuring the operation of imported thermal imaging devices in the armament and equipment in service with the Polish Armed Forces concerns not only the PT-91 and Leopard 2A4 / A5 MBTs (an article will be devoted to the upgrade package prepared by PCO SA for the Leopard 2PL soon), but also the Rosomak wheeled armored personnel carriers in combat version M1 / M1M, i.e. equipped with Hitfist-30P turrets. The main sighting device of this tower is the Kollsman DNRS-288 day and night sight, equipped with a thermal imaging channel, in which the second generation TILDE FC camera from Galileo Avionica (now Leonardo-Finmeccanica Land & Naval Electronics Division) was installed. used with a 288×4 cooled detector. This is a decades old design, parts for which are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. It is worth emphasizing that most of the cameras of this type for the Polish Rosomaks were made as part of an offset project at PCO SA using imported parts and assemblies manufactured by this company (the same was the case with DNRS-288 sights).
