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2017-08-10

INFIRNO: An Advanced, Innovative, yet Affordable Sensor System

INFIRNO is a high definition (HD), precision targeting and ISR sensor system that is applicable across ground, airborne and maritime platforms. Developed through Lockheed Martin’s investment, this 15-inch innovative multi-spectral targeting sensor features high-definition mid-wave infrared and color sensors, advanced image processing, multi-target tracking, laser designator/rangefinder and geo-location capabilities. The system enables users to deploy laser-guided munitions and conduct long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions (ISR).

By: Sakha Pramod

INFIRNO’s real innovation comes from a unique approach that combines performance with affordability.

This month, Nation Shield sat down with Paul Lemmo, Vice President of Fire Control/SOF CLSS at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, to learn more about this advanced and affordable technology.

Thanks for sharing more about this technology. Tell us more about INFIRNO and what sets it apart?

INFIRNO is a truly innovative system that benefits from lessons we have learned from designing and manufacturing more than 11,000 electro-optical and infrared sensor systems, such as the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, Apache Fire Control System, and AH-1Z Target Sight System. Unlike some of the conventional mid-size turreted sensor systems that require customers to keep entire spare systems on hand, INFIRNO introduces a truly modular remove-and-replace concept to the mid-size turret market. Users can perform maintenance in the field without removing the turret from the host platform. They simply remove and replace any of the modular components that make up the INFIRNO system.

What is your role in INFIRNO’s development?

We developed INFIRNO through internal investment and are continually improving the system by adding new capabilities, such as a recently added infrared pointer.

I understand INFIRNO can be quickly repaired using spare LRUs instead of removing the entire sensor from the host platform. Can you quantify the cost savings?

INFIRNO incorporates a two-level maintenance and Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) concept used in Lockheed Martin’s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod. Based on independent DoD models, INFIRNO’s LRU design will reduce system life-cycle costs by 50 percent. During a recent field demonstration, we removed and replaced the system’s laser and had INFIRNO back in operation in less than 10 minutes.

Compared to other offerings in this field, how does INFIRNO measure up?

This is the latest offering from Lockheed Martin’s Fire Control sensors business. INFIRNO combines proven targeting capabilities of our Target Sight System and lessons learned from our low cost Gyrocam ISR sensors. More than 1,100 Gyrocam systems have been deployed with the US military, NATO forces and US and international law enforcement agencies.

I understand you achieved the successful integration of INFIRNO on the Black Hawk helicopter; with Sikorsky now part of Lockheed Martin, do you have plans to configure the Black Hawk with the INFIRNO?

Yes, we are working together to develop a sensor option for Black Hawk. Lockheed Martin showcased a possible configuration at the 2016 Farnborough airshow. The Black Hawk is a flexible and proven platform ready to meet customers’ requirements for a variety of current and future mission sets.

If a customer ordered today, how quickly could you deliver INFIRNO?

INFIRNO leverages mature technology and production processes to support customer schedule requirements. Delivery dates will ultimately depend on the number of units ordered and customer needs, but we are ready to support our customers and their operational needs.

What user community do you believe would benefit from this capability the most?

INFIRNO is designed for combat reconnaissance, fire support and long-range precision strike missions. Users need a flexible multi-spectral targeting and ISR sensor that can adjust to meet new requirements and keep pace with technology and emerging capabilities, while at the same time being affordable and offering an innovative solution to reducing overall life cycle costs.

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