HENSOLDT ARGOS‑8

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HENSOLDT ARGOS‑8 Specifications

Photo Credit: HENSOLDT


System Overview

  • 8” class airborne electro‑optical system for ISR (observation) and ISTAR (targeting)
  • Designed for Group‑2 & Group‑3 UAVs
  • Mechanically stabilized EOS with 3 sensors
  • Day/night operation, target range finding & designation via semi‑active laser
  • Integral INS for geo‑location
  • STANAG‑compliant video metadata
  • Digital video stabilization in ISR mode

Features & Benefits

  • SWaP optimized targeting solution
  • Day/night imaging with laser range finding
  • Target laser designation
  • Software‑controlled laser no‑firing zones
  • Integral INS for geo‑pointing & geo‑location
  • Moving target engagement with video auto‑tracker
  • STANAG‑compliant video metadata
  • Picture‑in‑Picture video display
  • Mission planning, operational & debrief software
  • Ease of integration
  • ITAR Free

Interfaces

Communication

  • Control & video: Ethernet or RS‑422
  • Full HD video over Ethernet 100 BaseT

INS

  • Aircraft GPS antenna ×2

Discretes

  • EOS On/Off
  • Laser: arm, enable, status

Sensor Suite

Thermal Imager

  • Type: MWIR, 3–5 µm cooled IR imager
  • Resolution: 640 × 512 pixels
  • Field of view: 1.9°–28° continuous zoom (×14)
  • Digital zoom: 4×

HD Day Camera

  • Type: High‑definition 435–680 nm color band
  • Resolution: 1920 × 1080 pixels
  • Field of view: 1.9°–52° continuous zoom (×27)
  • Digital zoom: 4×

Laser Suite

Range Finder (LRF)

  • Non‑eye safe ISTAR (MDR‑5)
  • Eye safe ISTAR (MDR‑5)
  • Eye safe ISR (MP‑10)

Wavelengths

  • 1064 nm (Class 4)
  • 1572 nm (Class 1M)
  • 1535 nm (Class 1M)

Range Performance

  • Extended target (30% reflectivity, visibility 23 km)
  • MDR‑5 (ISTAR): >12.5 km
  • MDR‑5 (Eye safe ISTAR): >12.5 km
  • MP‑10 (Eye safe ISR): >7.0 km @ 3 Hz, >5.3 km @ 6 Hz

Measurement Rate

  • MDR‑5 (ISTAR): 8–22 Hz
  • MDR‑5 (Eye safe ISTAR): 1–9 Hz
  • MP‑10 (ISR): 6 Hz

Resolution

  • MDR‑5 (ISTAR): 2 m
  • MDR‑5 (Eye safe ISTAR): 2 m
  • MP‑10 (ISR): 1 m

Accuracy

  • MDR‑5 (ISTAR): ±5 m
  • MDR‑5 (Eye safe ISTAR): ±5 m
  • MP‑10 (ISR): ±1 m (500–3000 m), ±3 m (10–15,000 m)

Laser Target Designator

  • Wavelength: 1064 nm
  • Power: >50 mJ, constant (–25 °C < Tambient < 55 °C)
  • Repetition rate: 8–22 pulses/sec
  • Code compatibility: User defined

Target Engagement

  • Non‑eye safe designation & range finding
  • NATO targets: Designation up to 8 km
  • Recognition: >6 km by night, >16 km by day
  • Moving target engagement with auto‑tracker

Turret Specification

Stabilisation

  • 2 axes mechanical gyro stabilization + digital image stabilization

Steering

  • Azimuth: Continuous 360°
  • Elevation: +20° to –110°
  • Slew rate: >120°/s

Airspeed

  • Max airspeed: 200 Kts (design specification)

System Specification

  • Weight: < 6.2 kg
  • Dimensions: 285 mm (h) × 220 mm (d), turn radius <220 ± 1 mm
  • Power: 24 VDC, 22–29 VDC (RTCA‑DO‑160 compliant)
  • Consumption: 70 W (typical), 220 W (max)


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