The Road Ahead
The SPI M1-EOD/IED system was developed based on feedback from currently fielded US Armed Forces in the active business of IED/EOD detection. Based on current and future mission profiles the M1-EOD/IED system allows users to detect and designate a multitude of roadside/hidden IED threats in virtually any environment. 24/7/365 imaging is a hallmark of all M1 systems and the M1-EOD/IED system includes unique features that enhance the capabilities specific to EOD/IED mission profiles.
12:00 AM on the outskirts of a desert city a heavy weight EOD vehicle lumbers along on route clearing duty. The passenger sweeps his remote controlled halogen spotlight down the road in search of suspicious roadside targets. A couple hundred feet ahead on the right he spots what appears to be a mound of disturbed earth. He positions the spotlight directly at the “mound” and strains to see through the filthy windshield in this dust choked environment. He pulls out his camcorder to try and zoom in on the area, but the camera offers him little advantage through the windshield. Suddenly, he spots a group of men watching from off to the side of the area. He quickly grabs his green laser pointer and attempts to paint the group in an effort to coerce their compliance. Out here everyone knows that a green laser means stop and comply. The laser back scatters off the window further reducing his visibility as he fumbles with the camera and pointer. Then the Halogen light abruptly decides to quit. “What the heck” he mutters “didn’t we just replace that bulb”! Tense moments ensue as the team quickly evaluates their options going forward. Later, a single thought crosses through their collective minds. “There must be a better way”!
Out of this need, the M1-EOD/IED multi sensor system is born. The system is the first to incorporate covert thermal imaging, zoom CCTV imaging, laser designation, passive range finding and high power spotlight capabilities into one integrated unit.
12:00 AM on the outskirts of a desert city an MMPV cruises along on route clearing duty. Its a clear night and all lights are off. Driver and sensor operator are wearing SPI P-15 dual tube night vision goggles for maximum clarity and depth perception. The operator covertly scans the road ahead with the passive thermal imaging sensor. The image is displayed on the M1 night vision compatible monitor. The specially filtered NV monitor is not blooming either mans NVG’s. Amazingly, the operator can look outside into the darkness and inside at the thermal image on the monitor with his goggles on! The operator spots a suspicious shape at over 1000 meters. As they slowly close in through the darkness, he identifies the targets as human on the side of the road. They stop. He punches up 4x Digi-Zoom and quickly estimates range to targets. He centers them in the screen and fires the laser. The targets only see the green circle but they instantly freeze. They know who is out there and who owns the night. Both men flip up their goggles as the operator hits the spotlight. Instantly, a bulb blows out and he cant remember the last time they changed them. The second bulb comes to life and the targets are still bathed in hot white light. The operator has had an uninterrupted thermal lock on the targets but with the light on, he zooms in with the CCTV Sensor. He can clearly see the men and they appear unarmed. They are, however, standing near an area of clearly disturbed earth. Resources are utilized to detain and interview the subjects. The EOD team is focused on the mound. A robot is deployed from the MMPV. The robot operator has been watching his own monitor and is aware of the situation. He uses the Spotlight, Thermal CCTV image and Laser designator to help guide the robot to the area of interest while his own rear facing camera watches for any surprises. The robot determines that the mound is not a threat and returns. The subjects of interest turn out to be farmers. The good guys had multiple options for identifying and managing any number of threats from the relative safety of the MMPV. All ends well this time and our boys are free to continue their mission securing the road ahead.