Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions
Sweden, Croatia and France are pursuing different rocket artillery solutions as European armies seek greater reach, survivability and industrial resilience.
French Army receives new JIM LR 2 binoculars
The French Army has taken delivery of 150 JIM LR 2 multifunction long-range infrared binoculars from Sagem as part of a contract issued by the DGA in December 2010. The contract, part of the JIR TTA NG (1) programme, will see 1,175 multifunction binoculars delivered in total.
The delivery in December followed a series of government qualification tests performed in the DGA’s own test centres from February to June 2012 to verify performance specifications. French armed forces had already carried out field tests.
JIM LR 2 is a portable, compact unit, combining a number of advanced functions: day and night (thermal) vision, rangefinder, laser pointer, compass, GPS and data transmissions. It is fully compatible with Sagem’s own FELIN integrated equipment system for dismounted soldiers.
The system offers several major improvements in relation to the initial JIM LR version, including enhanced detection performance; longer-range pointer for fire support; 30% longer run time; and the ability to record images and videos integrated in the product. Coupled to a new remote control terminal, JIM LR 2 also provides a full-fledged optronic system for area surveillance, intelligence and support, whether used by dismounted troops or from a vehicle.
A total of 5,000 JIM LR binoculars are now in service or under order worldwide, including 2,000 in France.
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