ATLANTIC podded FLIR system
The Airborne Targeting Low-Altitude Navigation Thermal Imaging and Cueing (ATLANTIC) pod-mounted FLIR system is designed to give ground attack aircraft night and poor weather capability on high-speed low-level missions.
The Atlantic pod employs the BAE Systems modular FLIR system as used in the Harrier GR Mk 7 and it can also include an advanced thermal cueing system for early target detection and a laser spot tracker. The system, with multitarget compatibility,
has a MIL-STD-1553B databus interface and can be integrated with existing weapons and avionics systems.
The telescope is selected to match the FLIR image to the aircraft HUD field of view. Pod cooling is by means of a selfcontained environmental conditioning unit and the detector is cooled by a closed-cycle cooling engine. Time to readiness for the system is 3½ minutes typically from 20ºC.
ATLANTIC II LSL
The latest variant is the ATLANTIC II, designed specifically for the European Partners Air Forces (EPAF) nations' F-16 Mid-Life Update (MLU), which integrates a Laser Spot Locator (LSL) for target identification, location and target tracking and a Thermal
Cuer (TC) to provide early target detection and prioritisation for weapon delivery. The system is available in both internal and podded configurations with optional 8 to 10 µm or 3 to 5 µm staring Focal Plane Array (FPA) FLIRs.
ATLANTIC II sensors and advanced signal processing are claimed to provide outstanding image quality on the host aircraft Head-Up Display (HUD).
The pod features high-reliability, extensive Built-In Test (BIT) equipment and ease of maintenance to ensure maximum equipment availability and low life cycle costs.
Specifications
ATLANTIC II
Dimensions: 2,410 × 254 mm diameter
Weight: 94 kg (excluding LSL); 129 kg (including LSL)
Mechanical interface: F-16 nacelle mount, NATO standard pylon, custom pylon
Cooling: Self contained, passive, environmental conditioning unit
Power supply: 28 V DC nominal, 210 W typical; 115/200 V AC, 400 Hz, 146 W typical
Flight envelope: M1.6 at 72,000 ft, 9 g
Temperature range: -40 to +70ºC
FoV: Selectable for aircraft HUD
28 × 21º for F-16/F-5
25 × 16º for Mirage/Tornado
20 × 13º for A-4/AV-8B
Video output: 525-line, 60 Hz RS170 or 625-line, 50 Hz CCIR
Resolution: 790 × 512 pixels (H × V) (CCIR System 1)
LSL
Wavelength: 1.064 µm
Pulse width: 15 {eta}s (-5, +10)
Pulse rates/interval deviation: Per STANAG 3733 Bands 1 and 2
Pulse rise/fall times: 3 to 10 {eta}s
Operational status
Standard equipment on a wide variety of strike aircraft, including F-16, A-4, Hawk 100 and the AV-8B/Harrier II+.
