ARGOS-II HDT Airborne Surveillance and Targeting System

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ARGOS-II HDT is designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance missions, providing advanced capabilities for a wide range of operational environments. It is a system built to support complex ISTAR requirements with precision and reliability, ensuring forces have the tools necessary to maintain situational awareness and operational effectiveness.

Credit: Hensoldt

The system integrates a multi-sensor and multi-spectral suite into a single line-replaceable unit, reducing logistical complexity while maximizing performance. Continuous zoom optics are employed to deliver enhanced observation capabilities, while the MWIR thermal imaging camera ensures clear detection and tracking across varying conditions. HDTV zoom and spotter cameras, equipped with both color and near-infrared functions, further expand the versatility of the payload.

Operational platforms supported by ARGOS-II HDT include fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing helicopters, tactical and medium-altitude long-endurance UAVs, as well as aerostat systems. This flexibility allows the payload to be deployed across diverse mission sets, adapting to both manned and unmanned aerial assets depending on operational demands.

Applications for the system span a broad spectrum of defense and security missions. It is employed in search and rescue operations, maritime surveillance and patrol duties, and military reconnaissance tasks. Additionally, it is integrated into attack helicopter missions, armed border surveillance operations, and force protection roles, making it a critical asset for both conventional and asymmetric environments.

Real-time, onboard image processing ensures that sensor data is immediately available to operators, with all sensor outputs accessible simultaneously. Internal inertial measurement units and GPS provide accurate geolocation functions, supporting precise targeting and reconnaissance. The system also offers multiple video and communication interfaces, enabling seamless integration with ancillary equipment and command networks.

Optional features include automatic in-flight boresighting, which enhances accuracy during dynamic operations. A high duty cycle laser designator is incorporated to support targeting requirements, ensuring compatibility with precision-guided munitions. Importantly, the system is ITAR-free, allowing for broader international deployment without restrictions tied to export regulations.

Advanced ARGOS-II HDT Payload and System Capabilities Explained

The ARGOS-II HDT is a proven airborne surveillance and targeting solution designed to deliver advanced imaging, tracking, and designation capabilities in demanding operational environments. It integrates multiple payloads into a compact and stabilized turret system, ensuring reliable performance across a wide range of missions.

The system features a cooled MWIR continuous zoom thermal imaging camera with a resolution of 1280 × 1024 pixels, operating in the 3 to 5 µm wavelength range. Its optical field of view spans from 1.2° to 19.5° with 16× continuous zoom, while digital zoom extends coverage from 0.15° to 19.5° with 130× magnification. This allows operators to detect and track targets with precision under varying conditions.

Complementing the thermal sensor is an HDTV zoom camera equipped with dual focal plane arrays for both color and near-infrared imaging. It provides full HD resolution at 1920 × 1080 pixels with a field of view ranging from 1° to 20° in 1080p mode and 0.67° to 20° in 720p mode. Digital zoom options of 2× and 4× allow narrower horizontal fields of view down to 0.25°. The camera is capable of operating in extremely low light conditions, with sensitivity down to 10 millilux. An optional HDTV spotter camera further enhances observation with a narrower field of view, offering 0.42° in 1080p and 0.28° in 720p, along with digital zoom down to 0.1°.

For target designation and ranging, the system includes a diode-pumped Nd:YAG/OPO laser designator and rangefinder. It operates at wavelengths of 1.064 µm and 1.57 µm, with pulse rates up to 22 Hz and output energy of 50 mJ. It supports NATO and user-defined codes, delivers a range of up to 20 km, and provides range resolution of 2 m. Optional components include a near-infrared laser illuminator with 1 W beam power and 10 mrad divergence, as well as a laser pointer available in red or NIR wavelengths with beam power up to 100 mW.

The turret itself weighs less than 53.5 kg when fully equipped and measures 498 mm in height and 449 mm in diameter. It employs a dual-axis inner and outer active control system combined with six-axis passive damping, achieving stabilization accuracy of 5 to 10 µrad rms. Slew rates range from 0 to 60° per second, with elevation coverage from +20° to -120° and azimuth coverage across unlimited rotations.

Control interfaces include RS-422 as standard, with optional MIL-STD-1553B and Ethernet connectivity. Operators can use universal or mission-specific hand controllers. Video outputs support four simultaneous digital and two analog channels, compliant with SMPTE standards for 1080p and 720p formats, with optional compressed H.264 output over Ethernet. Ancillary interfaces include multiple RS-422/232/485 ports, optional ARINC-429, and an Ethernet maintenance port.

Power requirements range from 22 to 32 V DC, with average consumption between 250 W and 520 W and a maximum of 1000 W. The system is built to meet RTCA-DO-160, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-STD-461 standards, ensuring resilience in harsh environments. It operates in temperatures from -40°C to +55°C, at altitudes up to 50,000 ft, and airspeeds up to 320 KTAS at sea level.

Functional interfaces allow integration with radar, moving maps, searchlights, remote controls, and datalinks. Metadata is embedded and transmitted according to SMPTE/KLV standards, supporting moving target indication, augmented reality overlays, and enhanced mapping. Image processing capabilities include blending, picture-in-picture, pseudo color, isotherms, layered symbology, and adjustable enhancement levels.

Additional features include an onboard IMU and GPS for geo-referencing, an advanced multimode autotracker capable of scene, correlation, and centroid tracking, continuous autofocus across zoom ranges, and automated search pattern scanning. Remote diagnostics are supported through the Ethernet maintenance port.

This combination of advanced sensors, precision stabilization, versatile interfaces, and rugged environmental compliance makes the ARGOS-II HDT a comprehensive solution for airborne surveillance and targeting missions, providing operators with reliable tools for detection, identification, tracking, and engagement in complex operational scenarios.

ARGOS-II HDT

Payload Specifications

MWIR Continuous Zoom Thermal Imaging Camera

  • Type: Cooled MWIR staring array
  • Resolution: 1280 × 1024 pixels
  • Wavelength: 3 – 5 µm
  • Field of View:
    • Optical: 1.2° – 19.5° (16× continuous zoom)
    • Digital: 0.15° – 19.5° (130× continuous zoom)

HDTV-Zoom Camera (Colour, NIR & Low Light)

  • Type: 2-Megapixel dual FPA’s (Colour & NIR)
  • Resolution: 1920 × 1080 pixels
  • Field of View:
    • 1° – 20° (1080p)
    • 0.67° – 20° (720p)
  • Digital Zoom:
    • 2× (0.5° HFOV)
    • 4× (0.25° HFOV)
  • Low Light Sensitivity: 10 mlux

HDTV-Spotter Camera (Optional, Colour & NIR)

  • Type: 2-Megapixel dual FPA’s (Colour & NIR)
  • Resolution: 1920 × 1080 pixels
  • Field of View:
    • 0.42° (1080p)
    • 0.28° (720p)
  • Digital Zoom:
    • 2× (0.2° HFOV)
    • 4× (0.1° HFOV)

Laser Designator / Rangefinder

  • Type: Diode pumped, Nd:YAG/OPO
  • Wavelength:
    • 1.064 µm (Class 4)
    • 1.57 µm (Class 1M)
  • Pulse Rate: Up to 22 Hz
  • Output Energy: 50 mJ
  • Code Compatibility: NATO / User defined
  • Range: 20 km
  • Range Resolution: 2 m

NIR Laser Illuminator (Optional)

  • Type: Diode, Class 4
  • Wavelength: 808 nm
  • Beam Power/Divergence: 1 W / 10 mrad

Laser Pointer (Optional)

  • Type: Diode, Class 3b
  • Wavelength:
    • 637 nm (Red)
    • 808 nm (NIR)
  • Beam Power/Divergence:
    • 100 mW (Red) / 1 mrad
    • 60 mW (NIR) / 1 mrad

System Specifications

ARGOS-II HD Turret

  • Weight: <53.5 kg (fully equipped)
  • Dimensions: 498 mm (H) × 449 mm (D)

Stabilisation & Steering

  • 2-Axis Inner, 2-Axis Outer Active Control
  • 6-Axis Built-in Passive Damping
  • Accuracy: 5 – 10 µrad rms
  • Slew Rates: 0 – 60°/s
  • Elevation Field Coverage: +20° to -120°
  • Elevation Range Coverage: +100° to -160°
  • Azimuth Coverage: n × 360°

Control Interfaces

  • RS-422 Mission System Interface (Standard)
  • MIL-STD-1553B (Optional)
  • Ethernet (Optional)
  • Universal or Mission Hand Controller (Optional)

Video Interfaces

  • 4 Simultaneous Digital and 2 Analog Outputs
  • SMPTE-274M/296M (1080/720 50p)
  • Compressed Ethernet Video Output (H.264, Optional)

Ancillary Interfaces

  • 5× RS-422/232/485
  • ARINC-429 (Optional)
  • Ethernet Maintenance Port

Power

  • Nominal: 22 – 32 V DC
  • Average Consumption: 250 W – 520 W
  • Maximum Consumption: 1000 W

Standards / Environmental

  • RTCA-DO-160
  • MIL-STD-810
  • MIL-STD-461
  • Operating Temperature: -40°C to +55°C
  • Operational Envelope: ≤ 50,000 ft
  • Airspeed: 320 KTAS (Sea level)

Functional Interfaces

  • Radar, Moving Map, Searchlight, Remote Control, Datalinks
  • Embedded and Serial Metadata (SMPTE/KLV standards)
  • MTI, Augmented Reality & Moving Map Interfaces

Enhanced Image Processing

  • Blending, Picture-in-Picture, Pseudo Colour, Isotherms
  • Manual/Auto Image Enhancement Functions
  • Layered Colour Symbology
  • Switchable Symbology Levels

Handgrip Controller (Optional)

  • Weight: <1.2 kg

Additional Functionality / Capability

  • On-board IMU and GPS for Geo-functions
  • Enhanced Multimode Autotracker (Scene, Correlation, Centroid)
  • Field of View and Focus Slaving through zoom range
  • Continuous Auto Focus
  • Search Pattern Scanning
  • Ethernet Maintenance Port for remote diagnostics