Sagem Tuesday said it has won a contract from Raytheon [RTN] Australia, acting on behalf of Australia’s Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance in an international call for tenders, to supply VAMPIR NG infrared surveillance systems for three Royal Australian Navy AWDs.
VAMPIR NG (Veille Air-Mer Panoramique Infrarouge Nouvelle Generation, or New Generation Infrared Panoramic Air-Sea Surveillance) is a high-performance infrared search and track (IRST) system, designed to cope with both symmetrical and asymmetrical threats, at sea and along coastlines.
Calling on state-of-the-art image processing technology, it deploys third-generation gyro-stabilized infrared sensors for maximum efficiency.
VAMPIR NG is integrated in the ship’s own combat system, enhancing the destroyer’s self-defense capabilities through automatic 360-degree tracking of aircraft and missiles.
According to Sagem, the system’s high performance and its cost efficiency ratio were key considerations in the AWD Alliance choice, in particular its long detection range, its friendly MMI, and its quick acquisition capability for all types of threats, from sea sea-skimming missiles to small high speed craft.
The contract includes an option to provide this system for a fourth AWD.
This is the latest business win for Sagem Defense Securite in Australia, following VAMPIR NG orders for eight Anzac-class frigates and for the future LHD (Landing Helicopter Dock) ships.
Sagem is also supplying Sigma 40 XP laser gyro inertial navigation system to modernize six Collins-class submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.