Thales launches new surveillance system

The new ultra-compact system has a fully-integrated suite of sensors, including an uncooled thermal imager, TV/Near Infra-Red sensor, high-performance eye-safe laser rangefinder, digital compass and GPS. Operational roles for SOPHIE Lite include force protection, forward observation, forward air control, covert surveillance, asset protection and homeland security.

The system is the latest addition to Thales's family of combat-proven SOPHIE cameras, which collectively offer the widest range of capabilities to meet any operational requirement for handheld surveillance and targeting. Thousands of Sophie cameras are in operation with armed forces, including the British Army, and security teams around the world.

Significant achievement

"Since the launch of SOPHIE UF in 2009, Thales has worked continually to evolve the product in line with customer needs, reducing the weight from 3.5kg then to 1.6kg today," said Gil Michielin, vice president of Thales's optronics business. "To reduce the weight by nearly 2kg, without compromising even 1% of the performance, is a significant achievement and of enormous value to the soldiers and security personnel who carry the camera as part of their standard kit.

"Switching from standard optical to digital technologies has reduced the weight and enhanced the image delivered to the user. We believe that the combination of functionality and specification will extend the appeal of SOPHIE Lite to a broader user base, including security teams and mobile perimeter guards," Michielin said.