From laser-guided bombs to night vision systems, technology advancements help fight terrorists, protect borders, and keep soldiers as safe as possible. As part of this mission, PVP Advanced Electro-Optical Systems Inc., Tustin, Calif., develops and integrates sensors and imaging systems for space, air, ship, and land-based applications that use advanced infrared and image-intensified cameras, lasers, and laser rangefinders. End users include the U.S. military, NASA, Dept. of Homeland Security, as well as aerospace and defense contractors.

PVP provides the Commanders Pan Viewer System (CPV) for the U.S. Army’s Stryker mobile gun system, an eight-wheeled all wheel drive light armored combat vehicle. The CPV is a gyro-stabilized periscope system that provides tank commanders with 360° surveillance of potential targets and threats without exposure to outside danger. Precise motion for the gyro system is coordinated with the DMC-1425 two-axis controller from Galil Motion Control Inc., Rocklin, Calif. The controller was customized to meet specific requirements for shape and size, include a VME interface, and handle software needs such as closing the servo loop around the gyro.

In this application, the controller provides a “position mode,” which responds to user commands for specific elevation and azimuth angles, and a “rate mode” that’s designed to close the loop around the gyro so that the sight line remains stable even when the vehicle is driven over uneven terrain.

Another important tool for tracking and monitoring the enemy at safe distances and for patrolling borders is PVP’s Night Hawk Surveillance Platform technology. It uses a high performance, flexible, and rugged “pan & tilt” gimbal that accommodates a wide range of sensors and video tracker configurations, while providing continuous operation with no scheduled maintenance. The gimbal operates on the same servomotor-based drive train as the CPV system, which is controlled by the DMC-1425 and results in extremely high pointing accuracy and repeatability. Galil’s algorithms deliver smooth motion and positioning accuracy to within 0.005 degrees, working from information provided at up to 300° per sec.

To watch a video of a U.S. Army Stryker mobile gun system in action, click here.

For more information, visit Galil Motion Control.