Description

The D-VSCS is the next generation urban and long distance video sniper control system from Britannia 2000, designed to combine the standard operating procedures currently in use for a 2 man team, with the power of digital video transmission technology.

 

The system comprises a portable Commanders Control Unit (CCU) and small Teams Units (TU) each of which has a 6.4” sunlight readable LCD screen and digital COFDM, non line of sight wireless, video transmitter/receiver. Cameras are fitted to the weapon; either as a video take off from the ‘scope eyepiece’, or as a clip on zoom unit. The observer scope is fitted with a zoom camera (or night vision/TI). The team units have LED indicators to show system status as well as different earpiece tones which indicate READY, STAND BY & FIRE with positive feedback, ensuring that commands have been received. The sniper indicates to the Commander that he is on target by pressing a switch on the stock of the weapon. If the target is lost, releasing the switch resets the system. The ID number of the target selected by the sniper is indicated on the CCU. At all times the commander and sniper know whether he is ON target by the changes in earpiece tones plus an automatic acknowledgement that the status change has been received at each end of the link. The software modules can be configured to meet specific units SOPs.

 

The system enables the Team Commander to view the video from each team – either the spotter or sniper cameras. The Commander can also control the camera remotely. Each CCU will receive video from 2 teams, or 1 team plus an external source such as a standoff camera or helicopter camera. A plug in Slave Unit can increase the number of teams from 2 to 4.

 

The Commander can transmit any of his real time imagery to the teams or freeze an incoming image on a separate LCD screen and draw on the screen to indicate the target. This frozen image is then transmitted back to the spotter and displayed on his personal monitor to assist in positive target ID. He can then pass over target information to the shooter.

 

For COORDINATED FIRE the CCU monitors the readiness of each sniper allocated target and it will send the fire command only when all teams are ON Target, thus ensuring all snipers fire at the same instant.

 

When ‘stand by’ is announced by the Commander, he has the option of switching the incoming video from the spotter scope to the weapon camera if fitted, so that he can monitor the target prior to initiating the ‘target’ (FIRE) command. The Commander has real time video imagery available to him at all times during the operation. When in required, the built in Compact Flash VCR records all 4 weapon camera outputs, plus the time tag and system status of each team. During debriefing the exact times of change of status and commands can be analysed.

 

The system uses COFDM digital video transmission for use in built up areas where analogue transmission suffers from signal break up. Operation in open country is unaffected. The frequencies used are classified and the video is encrypted.