L-3 MAPPS has awarded a contract to Kongsberg Maritime for the supply of a range of rugged compact power over Ethernet (POE) cameras in support of Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate upgrade programme.
As part of the Canadian government initiative to modernise the fleet of 12 Halifax-class frigates in June 2007, the frigates will receive a new command and control system, new radar capability, a new electronic warfare system and upgraded communications and missiles.
L-3 Communications was awarded a contract for the integrated platform management system (IPMS) in January 2009, which also includes integrated monitoring and control of ship propulsion, electrical functions, damage control machinery and systems.
Equipped with a 1 MegaPixel sensor, the compact IP POE camera features latest H.264 video compression technology and reduces file sizes and conserves network bandwidth.
The camera features multiple streams that can be transmitted simultaneously in H.264, MPEG-4, and MJPEG formats at different resolutions, frame rates, and image qualities to versatile platforms.
A micro SD/SDHC card slot is also incorporated into the camera for local on-board storage, and requires only one CAT 5E quality cable with no need for an expensive camera junction box.
Installed in a machined, anodised and painted marinegrade Aluminium housing, the POE camera provides an increased degree of protection from the ship environment.
The camera has been fully qualified for naval use, while meeting US Navy Grade A requirements of MIL-STD-901D ‘Hammer’ shock test as well as MIL-STD-461E for EMI.
The Halifax-class frigate, with a hull designation of FFH, is a multi-role patrol frigate that has served the Royal Canadian Navy since 1992.
The 4,770t patrol frigates can cruise at a speed of 29k while support range of missions including boarding ships suspected of smuggling drugs, weapons and people, and search and rescue operations.
