BAE Systems Demonstrates Situational Awareness Capabilities for U.S. Army

AUSTIN, Texas — BAE Systems today showcased a vision system suite with content developed here for military ground vehicles that provides enhanced situational awareness for U.S. and coalition ground forces.

Installed on the company’s Bradley Technology Demonstrator, the vision system suite provides the driver and crew with complete vision around the vehicle in daylight, darkness, and all-weather conditions. Featured technologies include BAE Systems’ taillight mounted thermal camera system, forward viewing thermal camera system, and a 360-degree panoramic vision system.

The event marked the first time BAE Systems showcased the Bradley Technology Demonstrator vehicle for its Austin employees, customers, public policy leaders, and journalists. U.S. Army officials from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment along with the Director of the 3rd Cavalry Association joined more than 600 BAE Systems employees for the viewing and demonstration.

“BAE Systems’ innovative sensor products provide protection for U.S. military ground crews and vehicles by improving situational awareness,” said Kent Jacobson, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems’ Sensor Integration business. “We are proud to provide rapidly deployable solutions that protect those who protect us.”

Check-6TM is a taillight mounted rear-view thermal camera system for military combat vehicles that provides day, night, and all-weather rearward visibility for drivers and crews under armor. The camera system is expected to be fielded on combat and tactical vehicles this year with a number of pre-production hardware systems already delivered. The company expects to deliver more than 10,000 Check-6 systems over the next five to 10 years.

BAE Systems’ forward-viewing vision system is embedded in the vehicle’s front marker lamp assembly and provides day, night, and all-weather forward vision to ground combat vehicle crews, allowing them to more safely operate their vehicles from under protective armor.

The company’s 360SA, or 360-degree situational awareness vision system, provides combat vehicle crews with the additional capability of panoramic day, night, and all-weather vision. The 360SA complements the Check-6 and forward-viewing vision systems, providing the driver with ready access to peripheral vision, as well as providing vehicle commanders and crews with panoramic vision.

By leveraging the Army’s investments in advanced technologies, BAE Systems is supporting the service’s efforts to define requirements for current force combat systems while evolving to face future threats. “The company’s development on the Bradley reduces future risk by applying and evaluating Army-developed enhancements on existing current force platforms,” said Jake Fryer, business development director for BAE Systems’ Bradley Combat Systems in Sterling Heights, Michigan.