New Airborne Imaging Gimbal Launched for Military ISTAR Platforms

Unveiled at AAD 2024, HENSOLDT's new ARGOS-15 airborne imaging system enhances ISR capabilities for both manned and unmanned platforms By William Mackenzie / 24 Sep 2024

ISR Platforms

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
New Airborne Imaging Gimbal Launched for Military ISTAR Platforms
Follow DA

HENSOLDT has launched its new-generation airborne imaging system, the ARGOS-15, at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Expo 2024. 

The ARGOS-15, a state-of-the-art 15-inch gimbal system, offers high-performance for medium-to high altitude missions on both manned and unmanned airborne platforms

Featuring a modular design and AI-powered functionalities, the new system is an advancement in multispectral sensor technology, designed for modern intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

The ARGOS-15 ensures operational superiority at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and is designed to support a wide range of platforms, including tactical and medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and aerostats. 

The system’s modular design allows for easy integration across various applications, including military, paramilitary, law enforcement and search-and-rescue missions.

The new ARGOS-15 follows on the widely deployed ARGOS-II, integrated on more than 34 platforms worldwide. Production deliveries are set to begin in mid-2025. 

High-Quality Imagery
Equipped with next-generation multispectral sensors, the ARGOS-15 delivers enhanced image quality across diverse lighting conditions. Its image fusion capabilities combine thermal, daylight, and SWIR sensors, ensuring optimal visibility in challenging environments. 

The HD images enable detailed aerial video analysis so that infrastructures, troop movements, and targets are clearly recognizable, even under detrimental light and weather conditions. 

With highly accurate boresight alignment and retention under harsh conditions, in-flight bore-sighting becomes unnecessary.

Advanced Stabilization 
The ARGOS-15 features 4-axis stabilization architecture, coupled with a high-precision inertial measurement unit (IMU), delivering sub-5 µrad stabilization for superior image clarity. This stabilization ensures reliable performance during long-range surveillance and target acquisition.

Common Aperture Architecture
Common aperture architecture for lens-size optimization offers an optimal balance between multi-spectral sensors and internal volume usage. All cameras are designed with optimized detector and lens-matching for best performance. Multi-spectral video is simultaneously available, exposing different information from the scene.

AI-Powered Object Classification & Tracking
At the heart of the ARGOS-15 is an AI-powered object detection, classification and tracking system. Using an integrated GPU, operators can effortlessly detect and track targets with its advanced one-shot object classifier, reducing workload and improving mission efficiency, while real-time processing, allows rapid decision-making in dynamic environments.

Laser Sensors
Equipped with HENSOLDT’s specialized laser sensors, the ARGOS-15 features a comprehensive laser suite, featuring a dual-wavelength, high-power laser-designator and rangefinder for precise intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities.

Sunette van Rensburg, Head of Sales of HENSOLDT’s Optronics business in South Africa, commented, “HENSOLDT has been at the forefront of airborne imaging technology for over 35 years. With the launch of the ARGOS-15, we are reinforcing our position as a leading provider of airborne imaging technologies. This system’s superior capabilities will ensure that our customers remain at the forefront of modern surveillance and reconnaissance missions.”

Find suppliers and manufacturers of Military Thermal Imaging Systems >>

Posted by William Mackenzie Edited by William Mackenzie, Junior Editor and Copywriter practised in digital content creation and writing about defense and marine technology. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

New ESTU Module to Boost Short-Term Stability of Optical Cesium Clocks

Adtran has launched the Enhanced Short-Term Unit (ESTU) for its OSA 3300 optical cesium clocks, delivering passive hydrogen maser-level stability and significantly enhancing precision timing for defense applications

Apr 30, 2025
Sky Power to Showcase ISR UAV Propulsion Technology at XPONENTIAL 2025

Sky Power International will present advanced UAV propulsion technologies at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting powerful engines, hybrid systems, and customized solutions for ISR and civilian applications

Apr 29, 2025
Full Ground Autonomy Integrated into Army SMET Vehicle for Uncrewed Breaching

Overland AI demonstrated its latest autonomous ground breaching capabilities at Project Convergence Capstone 5, integrating advanced software, hardware, and aerial payloads for Army experimentation

Apr 29, 2025
Application of Wheel Speed Sensors in INS

Micro-Magic delves into how wheel speed sensors are often used as auxiliary sensors in INS to improve navigation accuracy and suppress accumulated errors of inertial sensors

Apr 28, 2025
Product Spotlight: The Honeywell HG4930 IMU

Honeywell highlights the key features and reliability of the Honeywell HG4930 IMU, a trusted solution for navigation in GNSS-denied environments and challenging conditions

Apr 28, 2025
AI-Driven Cybersecurity Solutions for Embedded Military & Defense Systems

Defense Advancement showcases Periphery's advanced AI-powered cybersecurity threat management solutions for embedded military and defence systems

Apr 28, 2025

Featured Content

Sky Power to Showcase ISR UAV Propulsion Technology at XPONENTIAL 2025

Sky Power International will present advanced UAV propulsion technologies at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting powerful engines, hybrid systems, and customized solutions for ISR and civilian applications

Apr 29, 2025
Q&A with DEFCROS: Key Insights for the 2025 Expo

DEFCROS Founder Kristijan Ilovača discusses the expo’s rapid growth, international ambitions, and how the event aims to support defense and security innovators

Apr 24, 2025
Ophir® FoldIR Lens Enhances Long-Range Imaging for Defense & Security Operations

The new Ophir® FoldIR 25-275mm MWIR zoom lens delivers compact, long-range imaging with low-SWaP performance for drones and small gimbal platforms

Apr 17, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.