Oberkochen, Germany, 12 January 2021 – For HENSOLDT, it is another important EOS contract with a delivery as first tier supplier and prime contractor directly to the customer. "We are offering a turnkey solution here and are assuming responsibility for the entire project until the return delivery of the helicopters with integrated and approved ARGOS II systems in November 2021," said Martin Kress, Head of Airborne Sensors & Missile Warning Systems at HENSOLDT Optronics.
The ARGOS II airborne electro-optical system is designed for installation on helicopters, fixed- wing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for surveillance missions. The stabilised system is composed of a number of sensors and electronics in a single interchangeable unit. These include a high-definition (HD) MWIR thermal imaging camera with continuous zoom and a unique HD multispectral TV zoom camera. A SWIR spotter camera provides additional multispectral capabilities, especially under harsh conditions with low visibility. The near-infrared (NIR) laser pointer improves the system's operational efficiency. The ARGOS-II system can also be equipped with a dual-wavelength, high-power, low-divergence laser designator/distance detector (LDR). The LDR has selectable target designation and eye-safe range finding modes and also includes a training mode.
HENSOLDT Optronics has contracted INTERCOPTER GmbH in Taufkirchen for the integration. Together with its subsidiary Advanced Aerospace Developments GmbH, Intercopter is carrying out the development of the supplementary type certificate (STC), the production of the integration kit, the helicopter integration, the flight tests and the certification of the ARGOS II on the two EC145 (BK117-C2) helicopters of the Thuringian State Police.
In addition to the Thuringia State Police, the German Federal Police has also recently started using the ARGOS II from HENSOLDT in its helicopters. HENSOLDT's Airborne Service Center in Oberkochen takes care of the long-term and sustainable maintenance of the ARGOS for its customers.
About HENSOLDT
HENSOLDT is a pioneer of technology and innovation in the field of defence and security electronics, with more than 150 years of heritage through predecessor companies such as Carl Zeiss, Airbus, Dornier, Messerschmitt and Telefunken. Based in Taufkirchen near Munich, Germany, the company is a leading strategic player in the field of sensor solutions for defence and non-defence applications. HENSOLDT develops new products to combat a wide range of threats based on innovative approaches to data management, robotics and cybersecurity. With more than 5,500 employees, HENSOLDT generated revenues of 1.11 billion euros in 2019. Since September 2020, HENSOLDT has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the SDAX stock market index there.
About INTERCOPTER
INTERCOPTER is an EASA Part 145 and Part 21/G maintenance and production organisation. In addition, through its subsidiary AAD GmbH, Intercopter is approved as an EASA Part 21/J aeronautical development organisation. Intercopter operates maintenance stations in Taufkirchen, Emden, Borkum, Helgoland and Norden-Norddeich. Intercopter is a subsidiary of the HTM Group, which belongs to HERISTO AG in Bad Rothenfelde, one of the largest food companies in Germany. The core business of the HTM Group, founded in 1997, is the provision of helicopters for civil and military customers in the business fields of offshore, public safety, ambulance and industry.
Press contact
Carina Engelhardt
Tel.: +49 (0)7364.9557.531
carina.engelhardt@hensoldt.net