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Defence

Cobham introduces new multi-axis gimbal system for military applications

Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions has introduced a new multi-axis gimbal system for military applications such as counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and air defence operations.


Courtesy Cobham

The SPS-1000 - which will be available in January 2020 - is Cobham’s next-generation sensor positioning system (SPS) that accurately acquire, track, and point a variety of sensor payloads in harsh land, sea and airborne environments. The new positioner maximises use of Military Commercial Off-the-Shelf (MILCOTS) components, leading to significant cost savings and lead-time reductions.

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Two key benefits of the SPS-1000 modular design approach are integral field-replaceable control electronics, which eliminates all external cables without any sacrifice in performance; and a reconfigurable design allowing for utmost payload flexibility.

“Cobham has a long history in developing multi-axis gimbal systems and a full range of high precision sensor positioning solutions,” said Jeff Hassannia, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Strategy and Technology, Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions. “Our new SPS-1000 is designed with a goal to provide customers with a cost effective solution that can be delivered to the field in less time, with low cost of ownership. It is truly a hallmark of Cobham’s SPS Series of Precision Positioners and offers the industry’s best combination of performance, delivery and affordability.”

Cobham’s scalable, modular, lightweight sensor positioning systems can support payloads ranging from five to 2,000 pounds. Designed to support payloads up to 150 pounds, the new SPS-1000 features brushless direct drive DC motors; absolute optical encoders; C-based firmware; as well as gyro stabilisation/slip ring and customer I/O interface options. The SPS-1000 will be available in January 2020.

Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions (CAES), the US subsidiary of Cobham plc operating under a Special Security Agreement (SSA) with the US Department of Defense, provides a number of mission-critical and specialised solutions for harsh environments. Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions supplies defence, aerospace, security, medical and industrial markets with critical solutions for communication on land, at sea and in the air and space, by moving data through off-the-shelf and customised products and subsystems including RF, microwave, and high reliability microelectronics, antenna apertures and motion control solutions.

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