Airbus Defence and Space to supply long-range surveillance systems to Middle East

Airbus Defence and Space’s optronics business unit has received a contract from an undisclosed Middle Eastern country to provide Z:NightOwl M combined opto-electronic and infrared imaging systems for border and coastlines protection.

Designed for extremely long-range observation purposes, this surveillance system combines a large field of view for wide-area observation and detection with a small field of view for identification.

In addition, it will be able to meet the highest requirements for the protection of land and maritime borders.

The Z:NightOwl M will also be capable of providing optimal vision at long ranges even during harsh climatic conditions, Airbus said.

It comprises the third-generation thermal imager ATTICA M-ER with an optimal megapixel detector and an eye-safe laser rangefinder.

Capable of providing extreme magnification through a 200 times continuous zoom, the system gives an option to further equip a near- infrared (NIR) or a short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera, which can be easily integrated into existing systems.

The contract is valued in the tens of millions of euros, the company stated.

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Image: The Z:NightOwl surveillance system offers seamless protection of land and maritime borders. Photo: courtesy of Airbus Defence and Space.